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Join us as we celebrate 60th independence day of India here on 15th of August, 2007. "At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new…India discovers herself again." - Jawaharlal Nehru
(on Indian Independence Day, 1947) She is discovering indeed. During last decade, she has witnessed the most fascinating growth since its independence. However, much more is yet to be done and achieved. The drive of optimism and momentum needs to be continued if it needs to lift the hopes and condition of 1 billion plus people. The recent boom being witnessed is yet to reach the masses and needs lot of work to achieve the desired impact.
 Before we jump around and host the flag with tons of proud moments – let us also take a deep breath and swallow a harsh dose or realism of the past 60 years;
- Indian children are more likely to be malnourished than African ones, and the country is home to about a third of the people in the world living on less than $1 USD a day.
- India continues to defend and bleed against insurgencies and separatist rebels claiming to represent ethnic groups far detached and untouched from any economic development. They are popping up in regions such as Jammu & Kashmir, Assam to Tamil Nadu.
- Western India seems to be untouched by such insurgencies for time being. However, it does have its share of a major thorn in her recent history. It is marked by a sectarian violence in the state of Gujarat not seen since partition of India and Pakistan where many thousands perished. There are many stories to be told and heard from both sides of the sectarian violence of recent history. However, in the end it is she who bleeds – for she brings us the freedom and virtue. “What freedom?” reasons your mind in the background and at what cost - begs the logical reasoning with it. Answers are hard to be found. You are dumfounded and look astonished.
- India continues to face suicides from farmers who are unable to produce any lively hood from their only source of survival. The population is rising and lands are no longer available. Top it with high costs of manure and fertilizers and no availability of water. A farmer in India for most is doomed it seems with Punjab being the only exception. No wonder the suicide rate amongst farmers has gone up the sharpest in the recent memory of India. Again, you wonder if you can feed these farmers software as opposed to grain on their very own soil. “What progress?” reasons your mind, but in vain. You are dumbfounded and look for cover again.
- Morality has devalued so much so that you can not be even sure if the milk you are drinking is safe any more. It is the land of cows – says your mind again. After all she is the largest producer of milk in the world! So no drinking water and safe drinking milk at large. 8% plus GDP growth you say!? “What rubbish?” reasons your mind. You are dumfounded once more and look to save your face from Shri Krishna, the protector of cows and the Lord of the universe.
- Same goes to getting a health checkup at the hospital or seeking an admission for your loved ones for studies. It would be amazing if you can achieve such common things without paying someone off. GDP growth for sure is there, you reckon again. However, it is sucking the very common sense of morality and virtue with it. She looks dumbfounded this time around. It’s not the Bharat of Rama and Krishna, the maryada purushottams, she envisions and cherishes. Is it the same India even? The grand fathers disagree.
OK. So she has problems just like other growing countries, argues your mind again. Her hardships and complexities are many times more than other countries. She speaks thousands of languages and dialects, holds gamut of religions and beliefs and is trying to make inroads with the most capable in the world. It will not happen overnight.
“Give her a break, would you!?", echoes and begs your sentimental mind. However, after 60 years of independence she looks back and asks, “Can I have a glass of safe drinking water to my people?” You are dumbfounded once more.
Answers are hard to come by! However, the sentimental mind of yours still believes and wants to move forward, for she has the most tolerant people with one of the sharpest minds in the world; where education is still worshiped in the form of the goddess, "Saraswati". Your mind argues, this time for the right reason and echos, “She will prevail.”
Happy Independence Day, India.
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