15th August, 2006

Today is India’s Independence Day. 15 August 1947 was the day when India became free from the clutched of the British. But, what does it mean to us, the youth of today? I wanted to write an article about it in my blog but, coming to think of it, I really don’t know what to write. That’s a shameful thing to say. I know, but that’s the truth. 59 years later, has the Independence Day lost its meaning in commercialization? Has 15^th August just become a holiday for us?
Patriotism- what does it mean to us, the so called citizens of tomorrow? Is patriotism dead? Or maybe it isn’t. When I look at the soldiers of our country, many of them barely 17, I can safely say that patriotism is not dead. What about the rest of us? What is our role in serving the country? It’s everyone’s favourite activity to crib about the government but I can’t help wondering if that’s the only thing that can be done. There are people who say that we should not just blame the government, we should work for the country’s improvement too. But not one of them has come up with a suitable suggestion as to what can be done. A heated discussion was going on about the above topic and one person said, ‘You go and stand for the elections if you find fault with the present government. After all, you voted for it.’ But, then, what is our duty as the people? To join NGOs? To donate to charitable causes? How do you know that the money you donate will reach the right hands? Not everyone can become social workers, sacrificing everything. There are people who can’t get actively involved in all these things due to various reasons- family obligations, money matters and many others. What does 15^th August mean to all these people? I don’t know; I’m rather a confused soul about this matter.
Don’t tell me a theory that today is the day when India became independent, thousands died for her cause, today’s the day when we remember them and pay homage. I know all that. In no way am I forgetting it. But how many of us really thought about it today? How many of us really saluted the soldiers, if not by actually attending a flag hoisting, at least in our minds? Has 15^th August just become a holiday? A day when we relax and watch movies like Border, Mission Kashmir, Lakshya and the like? I wonder… You can’t really blame the people. Most of them work like crazy throughout the week and a holiday in between is treated with the greatest relief. But I can’t help but think of all the people who sacrificed their lives just to watch the tri-colour flag being hoisted. What great love they must have had for India. Will that passion ever return? Will India ever see such patriotism again? Will India ever see her children united for her cause? I wonder…