"How you celebrate Independence day?" I asked one of my peers in the office. "I want to be free on this day.. absolutely free", he smiled sheepishly. "What do you exactly mean by absolutely free? I asked, sniffing what he was upto. He said "I wish to do whatever I feel like, nobody should question me". The other one joins in "We should remember those brave souls who laid out their lives for the freedom of our nation".
I'm wondering if we really understand what is this Independence Day all about and what we should really do to make it Independence Day celebration. On the eve of Independence Day I narrated Oshin what really happened on this day 64 years back. Also, this morning I was on time to make her turn on the TV to watch Prime Minister unfurling national flag and addressing nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort - same regulation stuff that I’ve been watching for quite some time now. Many people really don't bother to witness that too - "leave it man.. Anyways PM has been reading these pre-written pages every year.. you'll anyway find it in tomorrow's newspaper and Oshin's also not that comfortable with Hindi.. no parades, no cultural programs, same boring stuff. Tell me how you enjoying your day today?” I think the meaning of this Independence Day is lost somewhere and we really need to re-think if we could bring the significance of this day back.
Here's what I feel has the diring need to attain independence at the first place to say we really mean it:
- Look into the eyes of the Innocent 'chottu' being tortured in the roadside 'dhaaba', kid rag-pickers, children working in factories or the ones being sexually abused everyday. Ask yourself how you can set this India free. Hand over a book of pictures to him and worry about how to send them back to school.
- Shout loudest when next time you encounter a corrupt public servant. Let's first learn queue etiquette.
- Reach your office on time and pat on the back of your lowest subordinate for his slightest improvement.
- Pay your taxes honestly and care for public property. Let's start saying 'my country', 'my people', 'my roads', 'my public property', 'my Govt', 'my leader'.
- Let’s really start caring for female gender and change our mindset how we do upbringing of our future generation.
- Let's care for roadside trees and cleanliness.. Help in our capacity to save water, oil, electricity etc.
Don’t ask me what'll happen with this. This only will set India free & independent.
I cannot conclude without sincerely thanking my uncle Dr. D N Joshi who really helped me to get free - to get free from all sorts of slavery. He's the one who inspires me every moment to be sincere with our efforts and raise the voice against wrong. In whatever small proportion I'm able to add value to my profession or to the nation (I'm not pretty sure about it though!) I believe he paved the way for me and still keeps inspiring me. Small minds discuss people, bigger minds discuss events and add value but great mind don't discuss - they just act in silence and the community automagically gets inspired and benefited with it. Mamaji, you're one of those great souls - I salute you and assure you that I’ll keep doing, in best of my capacity, to keep myself and my country "free & independent" - JAI HIND .
Love,
ansijoshi
