Free?

We’re all patriots, aren’t we?

Especially on the 15th of August.

The day we achieved our freedom from the oppressive rule of the British. Thousands of martyrs laid down their lives to ensure that we live comfortably today. A grand salute to them! And their sacrifices! Without them, we would still be living under the thumb of the British.

The martyrs always saw the magnificence of India, even under the rule of British. And they fought to bring the country back to its former glory.

A country which was home to one of the oldest and advanced civilizations known to man.

A country blessed with natural resources.

A country blessed with rich and varied heritage.

A country blessed with diverse cultures and languages.

A country blessed with knowledge of literature, mathematics, medicine and what not!

Truly, our country is marvellous in all aspects.

Our martyrs were successful in their mission and they were able to give us freedom from the oppressors. They envisioned a nation with people living freely and happily.

After more than seventy years of independence, can we say that we’re truly free?

Our leaders when they formed this nation, hoped that the people weren’t just free from some foreign empire, they hoped that the people were also free from themselves.

Are we truly free from ourselves and the society?

This is just my opinion, we aren’t free.

Can you change your gender? Just a question. Look at the ones who did, they’re on the streets begging. Forced out of their homes, when they come out and they live their lives as the shame of the society. Aren’t they people? Aren’t they free to be what they want to be? Do they deserve such a life? People use derogatory terms on them and in fact tease each other with that term. Because such people are considered to be literally filth. So, is everyone free here?

Though how much ever we may advance in terms of science, economy and technology. We’ll still be backward in some really important things. Because we’ve someone worse than our previous rulers ruling us, narrow minds.

Oppression still runs rampant in our country. Most of us are walked upon in some aspect or the other. Yet, we quietly bear this and move on.

Farming isn’t still seen as a respectful occupation. Child marriages are still prevalent. Caste politics are quite common. This list is actually quite big.

Why? What’s up with all these problems? Why are they still here? Haven’t we progressed as a society to get rid of them?

The truth is, not all of us have progressed. There are people who are still bound by the stereotypes created by their narrow minds.

Our martyrs, if they could see us, would surely be ashamed and disgusted by the state which we’ve bought the country to. They’d wonder, is this their legacy?

But as a citizen of this country, I believe we’ve a solution to these problems. 

Yes, I might not be an expert in these matters. Yet, I’d like to present my opinion and my answer.

Education.

It’s the answer.

Yes, educating our countrymen might be an end to these problems. As a large part of general populace remains uneducated, these stereotypes prevail over common sense and logic. But educating them could lead to the victory of the latter.

Education is a gift. It makes you understand the vastness of this universe and how insignificant the stereotypes are in this open space. And for those educated ones, who still hold on to their stereotypes. You’re truly doomed with ignorance.

Anyway, let’s all hope that we make our martyrs truly proud someday. The day when we realise their vision finally. The day when we finally are truly free from everything and that day we’ll celebrate another Independence Day.

Let’s all work towards to bring forth a progressive society and free our fellow countrymen from the grip of ignorance.

Jai Hind!!!