Independence Day 2015 – Some Flashbacks Some Lessons

Time: 09.13 AM, Noida, India

Was awaken from the reverie only to hear shouts being raised in a voice that seemed like coming from the mouth of children caught up in usual scuffle over something.  Driven to curiosity, I leaned from the window of my flat, and what I saw was the spectacular sight of large procession of school kids flowing down the street alleys like the streams of calm river. All of 'em' raising slogans of national anthem and singing patriotic songs in unison. The kids queued up in formation of large procession carrying tricoloured flags, chanting in chorus "Sare jaha se acha Hindustan hamara, Vande Mataram".

Visibly excited, the kids were shouting out slogans of national anthem, hailing brave martyrs and Mr. Gandhi.

From the window of my home on top floor of this 3-storied apartment building, the procession of school kids clad in the disguise of traditional attire, holding national flag in one hand and using other in clinched fist in the air supporting their chorused slogan “BharatMata ki Jai”… it was like witnessing the confluence of our motherland’s secularism and solidarity coming together without any perceptible view of insularity and casteism.

It was really a wonderful sight to witness.

The Independence Day of our beloved nation is most definitely one of the greatest and beautiful occasions where we witness secularism getting translated into tangible appearance. Secularism is also the main and deeply ingrained theme of this world's largest democratic nation. It makes me feel how strong we become when we stand united. I felt so happy to notice that we are so much together all in all regardless of differences on certain things during the national D-day.

Our beloved country is celebrating 69th anniversary of its Independence Day today. I wish I had joined the procession to lend my voice for the support of the slogans raised in commemoration of those brave martyrs who left the legacy of solidarity, that we, most of the times, do not appreciate the privilege of. 

Observing the procession helped me realize that there are certain occasions where our vast society stands together and pay tribute to the motherland, pledge to its security and safety of sovereignty.

Watching the kids in action was also emotive reminiscent of my own school days. It jogged my memory back the days when we held the similar kind of procession, though we foot-marched long miles, almost covering geographies of two villages before our march ended up back to school where we watched our headmaster and teachers delivering speech of patriotism after hoisting national flag. 

Our slogans used to be “Adhe roti khayenge, bharat ko bachayenge" "Vande Mataram" and"Jai Hind.” Some of us were mischievous lots, tickled the guys in vanguard for a kind of childish perverse pleasure. Yes, we got candies, too from the headmaster.

What were those days!  God! I want all of 'em' back, now!

In the fervour of celebrating independence, we perhaps don’t heed to its underlying meaning or the ulterior motive. My standpoint is the true sense of independence lies in the spirit of togetherness, solidarity. In fact, independence is not limited to the precinct of liberty of speech or freedom of expression as defined in the books of our parliament.

It is beyond that.

True independence teaches us lesson of promoting peace. It instructs us how powerful we are when we are together. It takes us peaceward. It helps us realize that there is no virtue in living illiterate. Freedom from poverty and illiteracy are defined principles of Independence. Beyond its teaching love and peace inside the country and among citizens, it promotes worldwide peace as well. This is due to the reason that, like Gandhi, we are also a universal citizen.

I believe, the day we stand together and voice our support for the humanity, global peace and solidarity, we will celebrate true Independence, and that will be a real Freedom in its entirety. Independence, after all, is not the privilege granted to the exclusive fews.

Jai Hind!