Freedom, are we really free?

Day 15

Belonging to an Indian origin, Aug 15^th is a proud moment as India celebrates the 65^th year of Independence. Under the British rule for approximately for over 200 years, India got their freedom in Aug of 1947. Happy Independence day to all my Indian brothers and sisters.

Here is my question: Freedom, are we really free?

In my early childhood days every year on Aug 15^th, the movie Gandhi with Ben Kingsley playing the character of Gandhi played on Doordarshan channel (the only Indian channel in the early eighty’s). All the family members will repeatedly watch this movie every year, with a sense of patriotism. Most of the schools had Independence parade to celebrate the Independence of India. The students wore white uniforms and were out in the sun all day attending the event. The sun, the heat could be tiresome, and this could be the reason only few kids came out to play in the evening.

Growing up, did we actually know the meaning of Independence? Yes we knew the definition of Independence, and the historic value of Independence. But not experiencing any slavery or cruelty did we really know the value of Independence? For the generation that was born post the independence of the country, was Independence Day an official day off, fireworks, celebration, etc?

Another question I always asked was, are we really free. Is all our battles over? Did the country actually achieve what the freedom fighters and freedom struggle war desired for? Or has the battle shifted from the battle of countries to the battle of classes? The political battle- is that the battle for freedom of the people or power play?

With all these confusing questions in my head, I still celebrate the Independence, the independence that gave me the ability to be free, think, learn, live and grow.

“Your freedom is a well packaged gift presented to you by the many heros who lost their lives wrapping the package”

~Lenji Jacob


References

A. R. Rahman - Maa Tujhe Salaam (Vande Mataram) With Lyrics + English Translation - YouTube . (n.d.).YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. . Retrieved August 16, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPeJFjJ1SNs&feature=related

 Jana Gana Mana - India National Anthem English lyrics - YouTube . (n.d.). YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.. Retrieved August 16, 2012, from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yMvU73Wr7Q&feature=player_embedded#!