Independence - Farce or a Force!
By Anjana Ramakrishnan
Mangalore, Aug 15: ‘Independence Day’ - once upon a time, these words used to evoke in us a sense of awe. It used to be filled with nostalgia mixed with respect, pride and what not. We were a proud Indian when it came to attending the Independence Day parade, singing the national anthem and saluting our flag. We used to hold our head high enjoying our independence with a sense of delight.
But now, standing on the pedestal of our 66th independence day, what I honestly feel is not pride, not nostalgia; but a strong sensation that this day is slowly but steadily losing the importance and dignity that it once held. After all that has happened over the past few years, we all actually have started wondering, “How independent are we?” Or in other words “Is India really independent?”
Our forefathers gave us independence from the British, but now, it feels as if we are thrown into the clutches of the ‘self proclaimed guardians’ of the Indian culture.
Independence is defined thus by one site-’ the state or quality of being independent; freedom from dependence; exemption from reliance on, or control by, others; self-subsistence or maintenance; direction of one's own affairs without interference.’
Now, let us analyze India on the basis of this definition.
The first clause is ‘freedom from dependence’. Are we actually not dependent on anything or anyone??? On a larger view, I feel that we all are dependent on something or someone. In backward areas, wives are dependent on husbands, in one way or the other, many are dependent on the government, corrupt political parties or politicians or anything for that matter.
The second half of the definition states “exemption from reliance on, or control by, others; self subsistence or maintenance; direction of one’s own affairs without interference.”
Now, this is the most important clause that we have to concentrate on, taking into view the recent happenings around our country.
Are we ‘actually’ free form external control? By ‘external’ I do not mean other countries. I mean other ‘people’ from our own country. Are our affairs carried out without interference from external control? Frankly speaking I don’t think so.
Because if that was the case, the recent attack on the youngsters who had been to a home stay in Mangalore would not have taken place; because if that was the case, the recent molestation of a girl who had been to a pub in Guwahati would not have happened; because if that was the case, the recent Assam riot would not have occurred. I have so many incidents to substantiate my claim.
Violence, corruption, black money, rape, murder, molestation, attacks, child labor, riots, looting, dowry deaths, torture, bomb blasts, robbery and many more problems. This is India for us today! This is India for everyone today.
Many of us may be able to pacify ourselves by highlighting the brighter side of our country. The good things that our country has offered; the job opportunities, the technical development, scientific development, and so on. I agree, all these are assets for us, and add an extra feather to our country’s cap. But, all these are sometimes over shadowed by the negative elements of our country.
No matter how developed we are, or rather claim to be, how much ever progress we gain, the mentality of the people do not change. Why??? ‘We should preserve our culture; and for that we will go to any extent” someone swears. But in reality ‘what’ is our culture??? Can anyone explain? Does our culture define girls to be timid and powerless wearing full covered clothes and staying at home without any right for enjoyment? Does our culture define boys to mere puppets in the hands of the fathers who decide whether their son would be an engineer or a doctor?
I agree these old fashioned notions are changing. But at snail’s pace!
In the name of culture, people say that boys and girls are not supposed to drink. They say that it is not our culture. It is American culture. Okay, so let me ask such people something. Speaking in English is also foreign culture. Why did we adopt it? We could have stuck to the “ Mera Bharath Mahaan” slogan and implemented Hindi as the one and only language for communication. Why did we allow MNCs to come to our country??? People may justify it by saying that all this were a part of our development. Okay I agree. So please don’t blame ‘American culture’ as a reason for all this. And people above the age of 18 are considered as adults right? Don’t you think that they have the right to decide things for themselves, no matter what they do, as long as they do not disrupt the harmony of the society? I am not supporting drinking here because personally I am against it. But again, my opinion is my own and I don’t have the right to implement it on others. I know my limit and will keep my opinions to myself. I don’t think I have any right to poke my nose into others’ business.
The main problem in our country, what I feel, is that people do not know their limits. They do not know or rather do not want to know that ‘one’s freedom ends where another’s nose begins.’ People unnecessarily self proclaim themselves as the preservers of the Indian culture and go about doing any nonsense as they wish and expect the others to turn a deaf ear and blind eye to such nonsense. But not anymore. Nowadays people have started reacting to such violence and injustice with more vigor and strength and thus, I conclude by hoping that one day India will really be an independent country, and I hope to live till then to witness the same.
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