"India is, the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grand mother of tradition. Our most valuable and most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only.' - Mark Twain
On the midnight of 15th August, 1947, after a tenacious struggle for over 150 years, India finally achieved her long-aspired dream to be an independent nation from the mighty Colonial rule of the British – colloquially popular as ‘British Raj’. While most of the independence struggle never saw a coherent outrage by entire India until the grand ingress of Mahatma Gandhi and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, nevertheless the day 15th August remains thoroughly ingrained among every citizen and is celebrated every year as the Independence Day.
Looking back in time, the days of struggle seem to be of great honour and vigour and notably the most patriotic era in Indian history. It was a time, when every citizen - irrespective of their gender or age - took part in the struggle to serve their nation. India’s independence struggle can well be considered as an ‘Epoch’ that saw an upsurge of some of the most notable revolutionary leaders like Bhagat Singh, Khudiram, Mangal Pandey, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, Chakravarti Gopalachari, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Subhash Chandra Bose and many more.
Sixty-five years have passed, and India has indeed grown as an economy, but amidst all the glitters the country still seems to be subjugated by a corrupt political system; a paradoxical social structure that is perennially stung by caste system and bureaucratic oppression; and the disruptive onslaught of communal riots and terrorism that thwarts the safety of every citizen. Youngsters find ways to immigrate to other nations for a better living causing mass brain-drainage; foreigners still consider India as a poor nation; and the unfortunate poor plebeians survive amidst terror, exploitation and corrupt political hegemony.
Overtime, the psyche of an average Indian has gone through a complete change. We are no longer valiant and optimistic like our freedom fighters – ‘Shahids’ - who selflessly sacrificed their lives for our country. Instead, we find ways to accuse the government for wrong policies, while evading from our own social responsibilities. Society could not come out of the circumvolved consumer civilization. This is the reason; India could not become absolute country even after a long struggle and political independence.
If we really need and want to create a newly reformed country, we must arouse the dipped ancient knowledge and tradition among ourselves; which can generate and create a truthful and socially independent society; and stimulate our conception, behaviour and democratic tenor.
Jai Hind.
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