Independence Day: The Symbol of Our Freedom

Freedom is a great blessing and it is always said that one day of independent life is better than a thousand years of slavery. Blessed are the nations that breathe freely, and unlucky are the people who cannot escape the life of slavery even today. Freedom is a precious blessing for which there is little to be thankful for. Perhaps after faith it is freedom, the only thing for which one can sacrifice everything. India, as a nation woke up to see its first spark of freedom at the dawn of 15th August, 1947. Celebrating independence and remembering the numerous martyred souls, this day embarks upon every Indian, a feeling of pride to be born in a country like India. As the month of August begins, tricolour flags can be seen all over the country. India salutes all the leaders who fought for India’s independence in the past. This is the day today; when the Prime Minister of India hoisted the flag at the Red Fort and addressed the nation. There is no doubt that it was not easy for India to gain independence from British rule. But our leaders, libertarians, and people together were determined to achieve it and thus took part in the struggle for independence. India came into being due to innumerable sacrifices. There is an endless list of sacrifices that are engraved in the hearts of our ancestors. Have you ever observed when an elder present a true story to us, his eyes get wet and his voice gets hoarse. Flames of fire with innocent and helpless people running around can be seen in the movie that starts moving in the eyes who have lost their sight now. We could not and probably will not, be able to understand this pain and suffering. Even today, the elders begin to feel in their imagination the gushing blood channels, a holi of blood which enemy had played so cruelly on their clothes. The smell of this blood haunts them again and again. Scattered headless corpses, screams of humiliation still shake their hearts. But, Seventy Four years later, we still can’t feel it all, we can’t feel that, we cannot recognize the wounded souls of these elders. Their silence, their laughter is very meaningless to us. But a ray of hope still exist there as yesterday evening, while walking down a street I witnessed, a group of small children between the ages of ten and twelve in the street with ladders and putting up flags all over the street. I asked them why they are doing all this and where they got all this money from for flags and with a quick reply they added that we had saved money from out-of-pocket expenses for flags so that we can celebrate the Independence Day. It was a bit surprise for me but felt very happy to see the passion of the children and also regretted at the same time that today’s young generation has become so busy in their work that they have forgotten to celebrate Independence Day. We must learn from the little children who have more patriotism in their hearts than we do. Today’s young generation celebrates Independence Day, but it does not look as enthusiastic and patriotic as before. The young generation must remember that if we are breathing in a free and secular country today, it is because of the martyrs irrespective of caste and religion who sacrificed their lives for us today. The foundations of present India include the blood of millions of these martyrs.
Today we need to understand the value of this freedom and pay true homage to our freedom fighters. Paying homage to them does not mean that we should lay wreaths on their pictures or statues or say two sentences in their honor. Doing so cannot be a real tribute. The true tribute will be that we, the Indians, fulfill their dreams of freedom and continue our efforts to make the India they dreamed for.
Today it is our duty to make our future generations aware of how the homeland was achieved and make them realize that how much and how many sacrifices have been made for this and now it is you, who have to save it from deteriorating. We will have to recognize the importance and worth of time to understand the tricks of enemy and protect ourselves from deceptions of such devil forces. This flag can fly as long as you value this country and all its inhabitants. With your knowledge and self bestowed wisdom, you can make the name of your beloved homeland shine all over the world. Every August 15th requires us to work hard, to think and judge well and to teach every one the true lesson of humanity. We must avoid the conspiracies that have entangled us in one or the other way round. These are the conspiracies of the enemy to prevent us from advancing in the right direction. This country will be on the path of development only when we celebrate independence in a dignified manner. Today we have traveled for 74 years since independence. India’s independence has been achieved after a very long and patient struggle and our freedom fighters have given us this freedom by embracing death with joy and laughter and forcing British imperialism to leave India. Today we need to understand the value of this freedom and pay true homage to our freedom fighters. Paying homage to them does not mean that we should lay wreaths on their pictures or statues or say two sentences in their honor. Doing so cannot be a real tribute. The true tribute will be that we, the Indians, fulfill their dreams of freedom and continue our efforts to make the India they dreamed for. We are a lively and secular nation which needs to be revealed in the same way. Let today we all pray from the bottom of our hearts for the endurance of this blessed Nation. Let us pledge on this day the 15th of August that you will prove that you are a true Indian by all your deeds and will work hard and diligently until you bring India at number one in the world. Just unite and live together to maintain freedom for the future.
( The author is Assistant Professor Chemistry -Selection Grade at Govt. Degree College Chatroo Jammu and Kashmir . Views are exclusively his own)
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