On 15th August 2008, India celebrated her 62nd Independence Day and 61 years of Independence. This little piece of information leaves most of confused around this time every year. Was it 62 years or 61 years of independence? Well the best way would be to grandly sum it up as “more than 6 decades of independence”.
So what does this “more than 60 years of independence” mean to a young modern Indian? Is this day still relevant in today’s time or is it just another holiday? Does the Indian national flag still evoke the same respect it did for the freedom fighters? Sadly, the answer to both the questions would be no.
Why is it that our national pride is slowly fading away or some might say has already faded away? The youngsters opine that they do not relate to the freedom struggle, yes why would they? They were born free, they are meant to live free. Most youngsters feel that they cannot relate to the national flag, the most common debate which ensues is, the Americans flaunt their flag why cant we? But, as a nation when we do not tolerate the pictures of our gods to be printed on t- shirts and all things sundry, why should as sacred a symbol as a national flag be given the same treatment?
It is a simple thing to blame it all on globalization. People migrating, people working for MNC’s, this has lead to mixed loyalties. But this is not a global phenomenon, it is only Indians who find it very easy to shed their “Indianess”, all because they don’t really feel the connection with their motherland.
Why should one after all have a connection with the land of corruption, bad infrastructure and a burgeoning population? Well they should because that land is also one of the oldest civilizations on earth, the land which is a cultural centre, which has hundreds of languages and dialects, which has so many co-existing religions, it is the land for which people have laid down their lives.
PRIDE. The lack of feeling of pride in their motherland is what is holding back Indians. Does a rich and developed India inculcate pride or does pride in being an Indian inspire a richer and developed India? This question is akin to does the egg come first or the hen?!
Thankfully, India as a country has more than her share of achievements to make any Indian proud. Patriotism can do wonders to a country. It is this positive patriotism that needs to be inculcated and channeled into constructive development of this great country.
Since we all are fast turning into netizens, the best way to start inculcating this pride would be to search ‘India’ , ‘ India’s achievements’, ‘ Indian heritage and culture’ on GOOGLE!!
Signing off, a very proud Indian!
So what does this “more than 60 years of independence” mean to a young modern Indian? Is this day still relevant in today’s time or is it just another holiday? Does the Indian national flag still evoke the same respect it did for the freedom fighters? Sadly, the answer to both the questions would be no.
Why is it that our national pride is slowly fading away or some might say has already faded away? The youngsters opine that they do not relate to the freedom struggle, yes why would they? They were born free, they are meant to live free. Most youngsters feel that they cannot relate to the national flag, the most common debate which ensues is, the Americans flaunt their flag why cant we? But, as a nation when we do not tolerate the pictures of our gods to be printed on t- shirts and all things sundry, why should as sacred a symbol as a national flag be given the same treatment?
It is a simple thing to blame it all on globalization. People migrating, people working for MNC’s, this has lead to mixed loyalties. But this is not a global phenomenon, it is only Indians who find it very easy to shed their “Indianess”, all because they don’t really feel the connection with their motherland.
Why should one after all have a connection with the land of corruption, bad infrastructure and a burgeoning population? Well they should because that land is also one of the oldest civilizations on earth, the land which is a cultural centre, which has hundreds of languages and dialects, which has so many co-existing religions, it is the land for which people have laid down their lives.
PRIDE. The lack of feeling of pride in their motherland is what is holding back Indians. Does a rich and developed India inculcate pride or does pride in being an Indian inspire a richer and developed India? This question is akin to does the egg come first or the hen?!
Thankfully, India as a country has more than her share of achievements to make any Indian proud. Patriotism can do wonders to a country. It is this positive patriotism that needs to be inculcated and channeled into constructive development of this great country.
Since we all are fast turning into netizens, the best way to start inculcating this pride would be to search ‘India’ , ‘ India’s achievements’, ‘ Indian heritage and culture’ on GOOGLE!!
Signing off, a very proud Indian!
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