We have come a long way since the times of an ancient India. We are about to celebrate 69th year of India’s Independence. As independence day is approaching, there is a natural zest of pride in the heart of every Indian which is clearly depicted on their happy faces. On this day, we also remember the efforts of our social reformers and activists who have worked in fields of literature, science and technology and in various other fields to curb the menace of hunger, disease, child labor, and child marriage so that we can improve our lifestyle. But even after so many years of our independence their is an increase in evils like terrorism, gender inequality, corruption, poverty, unemployment and injustice instead of an decrease.
Countless attacks and thousand lives lost, still terrorism always resurfaces again and again. The bigger issue arises as most of them are just brainwashed youths trying to change something without any idea how to actually fight for it. Gender inequality has also been a raging issue in recent times and finally people are waking up to it. Right from female foeticide to harassment in workplaces, women in general have to go through a lot. Women are not free to go anywhere or hold higher positions in the government sectors. Dowry is another big issue related with women which again hampers their growth and position in our patriarchal society. Thirdly, Corruption is one of the ongoing issues since decades, and it has only increased with time. In today’s time corruption is at its peak as it has deep-rooted itself even to the lower levels of most organizations whether its public or private sectors. Whether we are truly independent or not is a big question for our nation. Gender equality still prevails. Female are not safe. Economy of our country is also poor. Crime is on high! Poor are becoming more poor and rich are becoming more richer. I believe we are independent, but constitutionally only. We proudly claim that we are free from a foreign rule but we are still not free from jealousy, intolerance and hatred towards our fellow countrymen. We are full of bitterness towards other religions, traditions and always try to suppress the growth of the other. We are tied in shackles of terrorism, false ideologies, corruption, communal violence, and class – caste distinctions and so on. We tend to forget that independence is not only living freely but also allowing others to live freely. Until unless we are not socially, economically, and mentally free, we cannot gain complete freedom. With this harsh reality, a question occurs in the mind of every Indian. “Are we truly free or are we living a Deja vu”?
The common India feeling says, 69 years of independence still doesn’t make a big difference to the meaning of being independent. We say that we are a free nation, but our behavior doesn’t support that. We are not allowed to express ourselves freely, whether we are speaking or just sharing our thoughts and opinions. We are unable to prevent any wrong or support what is right. India is not yet free, we still need freedom from the various evils and its forms that are currently influencing and creating our lifestyle, as well as destroying our nation’s peace. Today we need freedom from addiction of drug, alcohol, self ego, and hatred. India is also dealing with the traditional mind-set and male domination in the society which is a major reason for the lack of women empowerment. It is a major question for our nation, “are we totally free”?. Yes we are really free in India. This is what we are told by the fundamental rights of India which is enjoyed by each and every citizen of India. We are also given the precious right of voting, which is to select our leaders, as India is a democratic country which means; its by the people, for the people. The question that arises here is whether having a law with thousands of amendments playing its true role of protecting the nation and its citizen? Is freedom actually being used by the people or its just in papers? There is a thin line between freedom and thinking freely. India in terms of freedom is still lying in-between and has a long route to achieve a state of being “Free”. We all need to stand against these evils prevailing in our societies, and empower ourselves for the peace, and dignity of our country. In order to achieve the “free” state in our country, its necessary to get rid of the past and maintain a check on the country’s reparations. The true meaning of freedom for India is left in our law and amendments only. Today it is left with the means of slamming glasses of buses on roads, burning public property to show rage and protests, bullying and harassing the poor auto, rickshaw drivers and shopkeepers, increasing crime, such as rape against women to dissolve frustration and creating violence in the name of religion, and caste.
