15th August: Independence Day..!!

Finally Independence Day creates a buzz among the urban denizens of the country. Contrary to some 5-6 yrs back when the day(15th August) meant nothing more than an official and school holiday, now the scenario has changed when people take a pride in endorsing the tri-colour on their vehicles,pin up the flag on their shirts and do wish each other the Happy Independence Day. All thanks to the movement(no its not Celebrate Independence Day movement..!!) started by a few email-happy people, which criticized people for wishing each other on Friendship’s day, Valentine’s day and other non-sensical western days but giving out very own Independence day a miss. Unlike last year, this year my facebook New Feed was flooded with people wishing Independence day and all updates of my friends(and acquaintances) who described how the over whelming feeling of patriotism imbibed them today. Some even wanted to India to go back to shackles so that they could do the Bhagat Singh or Azad’s kind of act and redeem freedom back to the country. Sheer patriotism I should say..!!..What was more surprising was that this year Friendship’s day which happened exactly a couple of weeks back seemed dud in comparison to the Independence day..Once again kudos to my dear netizens who created an enormous awareness and their campaign seems finally paying off.
I was really intrigued to give a thought about this day after people waked me up at 6 in the morning to wish on this day. A talk over phone for 2 minutes meant an abrupt end to my sleep. With nothing to do around, I thought how does it mattered to wish each other a happy independence day…my answer didn’t matter at all..Then does the Independence does really matter?? Yes it does..And my final question got me in real tizzy when I asked myself if am enjoying it..and my answer was..hmm..No..Don’t know..but it tends highly towards No.
Now why I think so..here are the few points:
a)In a Country where I do have rights to settle anywhere , but is forced to move out by local goons do not define independence of movement.
b)Though my company talks of ethics ,asks me to come to office even on weekends and even on Independence day..Is it the freedom are we talking about.
c)The inflation has marred the country.Despite of this millions of tonnes of food stock gets damaged due to improper storage and the Agriculture Minister says, it happens..
d)The Commonwealth Games which would be a 1st International event to be staged in the country after the 1982 Asiad, seems badly hit by corruption. Few days for the games, people are showing keen interest in doing exposes and blackening the games further rather than really trying to help it happen. Is it the freedom all about..
e)The outsourcing firms based in the country charge a hefty $200-300 per day per person from clients but pay a meager $15-16 per day to its employees. Is it what we call equality..??
f)The Maoists have inflicted a huge damage to the nation and is on the verge of India’s civil war.Yet the vote frenzy politicians create a buzz and hold dharnas when talks of using Army at them are concerned.
g)As the nations celebrates its yet another Independence Day, Kashmir burns echoing a separatist voice. Some elements of society who have an issue with peace and harmony ruling over, invoke a group of mis guided who go on violent terms. And instead of holding proper talks, the leaders make some crappy statements and continue to hold the state under siege. This is certainly not freedom atleast not for Kashmir. I am pretty sure that all the people there want is peace and have always been let down by some weak governance and the unruly , brain washed people there.

Am not a sadist who tries to conceive a negative image of things. Rather am critical of how things happen and whether it really makes sense the way it is happening.
Once again rather than sitting back and seeing the tri-colour being unfurled on national television, standing up for the next 52 seconds for National Anthem lets perceive, conceive and do something for a better tomorrow, a better India and in a real sense an Independent India.
--Jai Hind..