We are very lucky to have got independence for which our countrymen had
to fight hard with all they had got. 65 years it has been for us as an
independent nation. 65 years to be on our own, to form a constitution, set up the
judiciary, start reforms, roll out infrastructure projects, bolster the
agriculture sector, make way for industries to emerge, open up the economy to
the world, get the tech edge and ring in the new millennium with a satisfaction
of achieving a lot and hopes to become a developed nation from being a developing
one.
Given the size and scale of a country like ours, it is truly a proud
moment for us to be where we are currently. We as a nation have really come a
long way since then. India is a hot-bed for investors from around the world; we
are one of the fastest growing countries and ofcourse, the largest economy in
the world.
The task, however, is not done. The freedom that we got from the
British in 1947 was the beginning. It never was meant to be the end. Infact,
with freedom come responsibilities to start afresh, build an entire nation and
give its people the much-needed security. The independence and freedom of 1947 is
celebrated in 2012, good. But have we asked ourselves, given the current state
of affairs, are we really free? We
forget that this day and age comes with different set of challenges and
problems. We forget that even after 65 years, some basics have still not been
met. We are moving in those directions, but not at a speed that is expected of
a country like ours.
The issues we must do something about are fundamentals and agreed, some
are even my wishful thinking, a bit like an egalitarian society. But then, what
the heck! Atleast we can all make a start towards these. When education, food
and employment reach everyone, there is less or no reason for people to resort
to unfair means. I truly believe, the day we become independent and freed
ourselves from the shackles of most of these issues, will be the day the
efforts of Gandhi and Bhagat Singh will bear true fruits. Also, there are
issues where the government needs to take charge and there are issues where we
as citizens of India should step in the ring, instead of pass comments sitting
on the fence.
- Education – Yes, it is
a right of every child born in this country to get education. Primary,
secondary, university and vocational education should be made available to
all. Education reforms a person and a sound education ensures livelihood for
everyone. We need schools, colleges to reach interiors of the country. Teachers
from big cities must make a mandatory visit to the rural units, training
must be given to the teachers in villages, education loans must be easily
available to the deserving and help from aanganwadis, panchayats etc must
be taken to reach every nook and corner of the village so that no child
remains without education. At our level, we all can volunteer at the
organizations and NGOs which are devoted to such causes. We can always do
so over the weekends or may be taking an hour every day. Easy, right?
- Medical facilities – It
really breaks my heart to read news about a woman dying during child-birth
or a child passing away due to malnutrition. Even after 65 years, our
medical infrastructure is poor. When we cannot save lives caused due to dysentery
or a viral infection, we need to do a reality check. Why can’t the
government ensure primary health facilities in every village and specialty
hospitals at zonal or district level? Why can’t the big corporates in
health sphere like Fortis, Apollo and Max set up health care centers and
assign their doctors on routine rural visits? Why can’t there be an
agreement between corporations and government to divide the work, like one
will give the capital and land and other will provide the resources (PPP
is there, but is it working?)? Why can’t the corporations divide the areas
and zones amongst themselves and cater to their assigned areas, thereby
making it is easier to cover a larger part of untapped India? Huge hospital bills and doctors fees
scare everyone. We all must have a right to basic healthcare. Irrespective
of caste, creed, color, gender and definitely bank balance.
- Caste – If we still
fight over being Hindu or Muslim; Shia or Sunni; Brahmin or Shudra;
general or SC/ST, no power in the world can make us super-power. The
shackles of caste are hard to break but once we all start seeing each
other as a fellow Indian and not a Sikh or Catholic, we will grow as one
nation. Education, jobs, politics, everything is covered with caste
system. Only merit must count at every stage. You know why? Coz every
religion says you will get what you deserve if you just work hard.
- Women rights – Enough is
already been said about this issue. Female foeticide, physical assault,
rape, domestic violence, dowry deaths. Why do the women have to bear all
this? Are they not the equal citizen of this country? Do they not have the
right to live with dignity? Why is the justice being denied in almost all
the cases? The judiciary
must set a precedent by bringing the culprits to books. There must be stringent
punishment for all the crimes against women, so the person thinks hard of the
consequences before doing anything. The country needs to be safe to all.
- Politics – Agreed we
are a democracy. The opposition party has the right to question the
government whenever it goes wrong. But, where are the ethics? The
politicians have maligned the profession so much that every time someone
says he wants to take up politics, people warn him off by saying it is too
dirty for aam aadmi.
We may be battling
huge fiscal deficit, but the crores and crores that the ministers made from the
scams are filling their bank lockers. So, definitely we are not cash-strapped.
We just need decent people to manage and run the country. Some of them are
there but largely, there is a vacuum. Did they not rob the country and made money
in these 65 years? Can they now please think about us, who religiously contribute
to the government coffers through taxes every year? Since we also have put in
our money in this country’s development, will we have some say as a
stakeholder?
Politicians,
please stop taking each other’s case on trivial issues like Abhishek Manu
Singhvi ‘s CD, Valentine’s Day celebrations in a city club or should the girls wear
jeans to college. The country wants you to debate, argue and discuss the dropping
investors’ confidence in India, the education policy or for that matter, the
Lokpal bill!
As I said, most of the issues are basics and the last one is wishful
thinking! But not all are impractical. We as a country need them all. And the
time is now!
So even when we post ‘Happy Independence Day’ message on social networking
websites or fly kites on ‘national holiday’, we must know that the day we
overcome these basic yet critical issues, India shall be free. Literally!
Do you agree with me? Do share your feedback.
