Today, most of the politicians in India make tall claims before the onset of elections but forget to deliver them after coming to power. This only goes on to show that they are least bothered about the welfare of the common man who takes time from his/her busy schedule to exercise his/her franchisee. Prices of all commodities, including that of food grains, petroleum and LPG have been sky-rocketing in the past few years after the Congress came into power. As a result of this, the common man has to bear the brunt of the price rise, as his salary doesn’t increase in tandem with the surging inflation.
It seems that the Gandhian ideals that inspired India’s independence struggles are no longer followed by citizens today. Every one of us in India 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 religion are being persecuted for no fault of theirs, while the ministers and the politicians are misusing their power and the common man’s hard-earned money as they contribute to the nation by paying Professional Tax, Income Tax, etc. 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.
Republic 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 events. On this day, we should also remember the sacrifices made by our various freedom fighters who bravely fought for the country’s Independence and pay our due respect to them. But it’s a pity that after every Independence Day and
Republic Day celebrations, the country’s national flag is strewn on the streets and people irrespective of caste, creed, colour or religion blithely walk over them.
Even when the national anthem is played on the radio or telecast on television, people don’t respect it by standing to attention and singing it. They are busy talking on their mobile phones or chatting with their friends. As Indians, we should show due respect for our country’s national flag, national song and national anthem. It is only through the sacrifices made by our freedom fighters that we have managed to gain independence and republic; otherwise we would still have been living under the British dominion.
Jubel D’Cruz
