Another Independence day , will come tomorrow and go away. Just like all those days in the past what do we do?
Of course the kids in school will all go weary and sleepy eyed and salute the national flag as it is hoisted by the principal. They will all stand to attention when the National Anthem is played. Then they will go home to watch the movie that may be showing on TV or listen to some confounded music . Some may go back to bed and sleep away . Is this how we teach the importance of the independence we won. It was a hard fought victory I am sure. The youth of today are not aware of what India was like in the early 1900s . do they? Nor are they aware of all the sacrifices of the great leaders.
Then sometimes I too wonder. Are we really free?
We still live in fear of some fascists who hold the whole nation to ransom.
There are bombs at every corner and we do not have the choice to move without fear. Still while sitting in a train, one tends to look under the seat, half fearing there may be some unclaimed baggage which might just go off.
Any car parked on the road in front of the house is a suspect bomb .
And then there are the groups that go beserk at the hint of a small injustice ( I wonder if one could call it that). They pelt stones, beat up people and burn buses.
And of course we are still tied down by the norms laid down by society. We are a free nation, but are we free to lead a life like we would like to ?
Sorry the post was meant to be posted on the 14th but got delayed. But then the question "Are we really free?" remains, doesn't it?
Of course the kids in school will all go weary and sleepy eyed and salute the national flag as it is hoisted by the principal. They will all stand to attention when the National Anthem is played. Then they will go home to watch the movie that may be showing on TV or listen to some confounded music . Some may go back to bed and sleep away . Is this how we teach the importance of the independence we won. It was a hard fought victory I am sure. The youth of today are not aware of what India was like in the early 1900s . do they? Nor are they aware of all the sacrifices of the great leaders.
Then sometimes I too wonder. Are we really free?
We still live in fear of some fascists who hold the whole nation to ransom.
There are bombs at every corner and we do not have the choice to move without fear. Still while sitting in a train, one tends to look under the seat, half fearing there may be some unclaimed baggage which might just go off.
Any car parked on the road in front of the house is a suspect bomb .
And then there are the groups that go beserk at the hint of a small injustice ( I wonder if one could call it that). They pelt stones, beat up people and burn buses.
And of course we are still tied down by the norms laid down by society. We are a free nation, but are we free to lead a life like we would like to ?
Sorry the post was meant to be posted on the 14th but got delayed. But then the question "Are we really free?" remains, doesn't it?
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