Countries throughout the world celebrate Independence Day when they were freed from the oppression of foreign rule. As India celebrates its 68 years of Independence from the shackles of the British rule this week and enters its 69th year, we remember Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of ‘swaraj’ (self rule). Many of our freedom fighters gave up their lives to free the nation from the tyranny of the British rule in order to gain ‘swaraj’ or self-rule. No doubt, India got its political, social and economic freedom, yet slavery remains in subtle forms in various parts of the country.
Today, majority of the politicians in India make tall claims before the onset of elections but forget to fulfill them after coming to power. This only shows that our politicians are least bothered about the welfare of the common man who takes time from his busy schedule to exercise his franchisee. Prices of all commodities, including that of food grains have been sky-rocketing since the past few years. As a result of this, the common man has to bear the brunt of the price rise as his salary does not increase in tandem with the surging inflation.
It seems that the Gandhian ideals that inspired India’s independence struggles are no longer followed by the citizens today. Each and every one of us respects Mahatma Gandhi and proudly addresses him as the ‘Father of the Nation’, but no one is prepared to tread the path adopted by him. Although India has achieved Independence, it is one of the most corrupted and polluted nations in the world. Unemployment is at an all-time high. Majority of the States today are fighting among themselves and people, irrespective of caste, creed and colour are being persecuted for no fault of theirs, while the ministers and the politicians are misusing the common’s man hard-earned money which they contribute to the nation in the form of Professional Tax, Income Tax, etc. Today, 68 years later, people have lost faith in their leaders. India has a great potential ahead, but unless and until we rise above our differences and petty squabbles, it will not become a prosperous nation. Take a look at the UAE countries and also America. These countries are the most prosperous nations in the world because the Kings and Queens and Prime Ministers there care for their people, which is not the case in India.
Babur, the founder of the Mughal Empire in India is said to have left a will to his son, Humayun which is still preserved in the State Museum of Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. The contents of the will are that Babur informs his son Humayun that India is the home of many religions and he has to be respectful and impartial towards all of them and ought not to burn, destroy or disturb any shrine of any religious order. But what is happening today? All religious structures and shrines are being destroyed, demolished or desecrated. Our present-day politicians do not care for the people and have no respect for the common man, especially the minority communities. In the name of religion, they destroy/desecrate religious structures and kill god’s holy people.
Jubel D’Cruz
