62nd Year of Independence

I think this year on Independence Day, is the perfect of time to set our goals and responsibilities straight not only as individuals, as students, as employees, as professionals; but also as moral citizens of this great Nation.

This year, on 15th August, I lay back thinking about the country. Where it has come from, and where it is going, and the role that I have to play in its path. Looking back on the years prior to independence, I think the youth lacks a certain respect and admiration for all the events that led to our independence and all those who shaped the future of the country in it's post independence era.

Let me exemplify this. Talking about people like Bhagat Singh, Subhash Chandra Bose, Mohandas Gandhi, I feel a striking difference of opinion among people of my age today. Some despise Gandhi and call him a manipulator. Some are of the opinion that Bhagat Singh and Gandhi were enemies and Bhagat Singh was the real hero and Gandhi was a crook.

The truth is that Bhagat Singh was a very dynamic personality and represents the youth of India even today. His courage and love for the country can never be embodied by any person of the present generation. He definitely is an ideal Icon for every child and youngster of India. But I'll tell you something that Bhagat Singh was not - a Mass Mover. He was a revolutionary of the order of Bhai Parmanand, Khudi Ram Bose, Sukhdev, Chandrashekhar Azad and others. Their policy of overthrowing the British Government by force was a minority ideology.

Gandhi on the other hand, was a mass mover. His ideas moved the nation. His ideology of Non Violence without doubt, shook the British foundation in the country. I'll tell you some allegations against Gandhi. He, at times, supported the British in sending Indian troops to fight against Germany. But think of this.... Britain and Nazis were enemies, and Hitler was looking to conquer Europe and finally the world. What if we didn't support the British, what if Britain lost out to Germany (remember the Battle of Britain ? ). What if Germany went on to conquer Asia after that ? Would we rather surrender to British or Germans ? So whether you like him or hate him, you can't ignore him in our country.

Honestly, after World War 2 , independence for India was on the cards.... No matter what. Britain's position was very weak. It wasn't even able to sustain it's own government, let alone ours.

So our struggle for independence played a key role, less in getting us independent from British, and more so in shaping the political future of an Independent India.

Now..... where are we headed ? Honestly, WE must decide that. We've already shown the First World Nations that their economy relies on our Brains. Now we must show them that India is gonna take over and dominate. I don't say this just for the sake of 15th August. I say this after years of research and reading so many books by great people and understanding their opinions on the Country.

We indeed have a lot of responsibility towards shaping the future of this great nation and let us all join hand in making this long last dream of our ancestors come true.

Jai Hind !