By Ruma Dubey

On the eve of India’s Independence Day, the only saving grace is that at least the Parliament is functioning today. A big change from the routine disruptions and adjournments.

We have completed 66 years of Independence and we cannot help but wonder where we are headed. Animosity with Pakistan has only increased with time and China is also back to bullying. And forget the tensions at border, internally, there is today so much turmoil. The same Congress which was the savior 66 years ago is today a sham. 

For the next generation, this Independence Day means just a holiday and the relevance of what our forefathers went through is not even comprehensible. But then it is understandable given the progress we have made on all fronts – economic, social though politically, we have slipped into a dark, stinking abyss, which in turn is threatening to pull economic and social progress along with it.

Today, our economic growth is hurting. The India Rupee has never been so low and inflation has never been so high. Petrol and diesel prices are hurting while the price of onion is making the eyes water. More than anything else, there is a sense of despondency, a distinct fall in hope. And that is the biggest tragedy; 66 years ago we have hope of Independence from the British rule but today, what Independence can we hope for when the Indian leaders themselves are running the country.

Yes, India is safer than the neighbouring countries; we do not have internal strife and there is no anarchy. We are a very cohesive and relatively stable country. Foreign investors do not fear for their lives when they set shop or invest in India; they only fear the ever changing rules and laws of the Govt. Our children can think of a future in India and education is good.

But at the same time, we cannot deny the falling values. Prices are high but values are at rock bottom. Corruption remains the big blotch and at least today, we cannot imagine living a corruption-free life. This is a big fall from 1947. Ditto for the leaders. Look at the quality of leaders we have then in 1947; their set of values were to die for. Today, when we read their stories, we cannot help but wonder whether such leaders, with such ideals, did really exist? 66 years down the line, we still cannot help but wonder about the leaders – how can they have no ideals and values?  This change in the quality of leadership is what is reflected in our free country today.

India has indeed come a long way since 1947 but the fact remains that we still have a teeming population and hunger, even after so many years, remains a big issue. The British planted the seed of communal disharmony, dividing the country on religion and 66 years later, this ugly seed has grown into a huge man-eating tree.

Ironically, we call our country ‘Bharat Mata’ but we do not respect the women of the country. For a girl, there is a fight for survival right since the time she comes into the womb. If and when she is allowed to come to life, then there is the fight against predators, right from an infant to old age.  

66 years ago, we knew who the enemy was but today, we do not know who all are the enemies. How rightly Winston Churchill had said in June 1947, just before India was to get Independence, “Power will go to the hands of rascals, rogues, freebooters' all Indian leaders will be of low calibre and men of straw.  They will fight amongst themselves for power and India will be lost in political squabbles".

Sad to admit this but his words proved to be prophetic. Yet, having said all this, can we deny the deep rooted patriotic feeling in our heart, the way our eyes water up the moment we hear a patriotic song or see our flag fluttering and hear our national anthem when our sports athlete wins a medal, even if it’s a bronze. Yes, the feelings we have for our country are as strong as what we feel for our mother…. we alone have the right to criticize her but will not tolerate anyone else doing that!  Yeh jo desh hai tera, swadesh hai tera…..

PS: Tomorrow, we might actually hear Dr.Manmohan Singh talk!