Our entire political system has become rotten. Most of today’s problems are due to corrupt politics. Unless and until it is cleansed, nothing would improve. Mahatma Gandhi once said that politics devoid of honesty and spirituality is disastrous for the country. We have to change the politics of this country. I am confident that together, we can.
I quote what India’s freedom fighter, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan has said: “My religion is truth, love and service to God and humanity. Every religion that has come into the world has brought the message of love and brotherhood. Those who are indifferent to the welfare of their fellowmen, whose hearts are empty of love, they do not know the meaning of religion.”
Leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Bhagat Singh, Lokmanya Tilak, Subash Chandra Bose, Lala Lajpat Rai, Bhikaji Cama, Aruna Asaf Ali, Veer Savarkar, Kaka Joseph Baptista, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Chandrashekar Azad and many others have played a vital role in gaining independence for India. But today’s youth don’t even understand the meaning of independence and take it for granted. Maybe, many of them never had to undergo the hardships faced by these prominent leaders. Today, however, 68 years later, Independence Day is nothing more than a holiday for them like any other public or bank holiday.
On the occasion of Independence Day, we must remember the sacrifices made by those who fought bravely for a liberated India. But it is a pity that every year, after the Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations get over, our national flag is strewn like rubbish on the streets and people irrespective of caste, creed, colour or religion, walk blithely over them. Even when the national anthem is played on radio or relayed on television, people no longer stand up and sing the song; they remain glued to their mobile phones talking to friends. As Indians, we must show respect for our country’s national flag and anthem. It is only because of the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters that we live in a free country today.
Independence Day is a day for us to celebrate with the hoisting of our national flag, recitation of our national anthem, singing patriotic songs and organising social and cultural programmes. On this day, we should also remember the sacrifices made by our various freedom fighters who fought bravely for our country’s independence and pay our homage to them. Independence Day is one of the three national holidays of India and the greatest festival celebrated in the country. The most spectacular celebrations are marked by the Independence Day Parade that takes place in the capital of New Delhi at Rajpath. It includes march past of the three armed forces, massive parades, folk dances by tribal folk from different states in picturesque costumes marking the cultural unity of India. Further, the streak of jet planes of the Indian Air Force, leaving a trial of coloured smoke, marks the end of this great event. The Independence Day celebrations of India have become world famous as one of the greatest shows on earth drawing thousands of eager sight-seers from all over the country and many parts of the world as well. No other country can draw on such a wealth of tribal traditions and cultures, with so many regional forms of dances and dresses. And, no other country in the world can parade so many ethnically different people in splendid uniforms, all united in their proven loyalty to the Government elected by the people and in their proud traditions and legendary gallantry.
Jubel D’Cruz
