India completes 75 years of independence from colonial rule on 15 August 2022. This day is being celebrated as Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav with great patriotic spirit all over the country. On India@75, we remember our long and arduous journey to freedom, the many thousands of unsung heroes whose valiant sacrifices have made freedom a reality for us. We salute the memory of those martyrs who laid down their lives at the altar of freedom. We remember and pay homage to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, who led from the front with the noble weapons of non-violence and satyagraha. We salute other great leaders of our freedom movement — Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad, Subhas Chandra Bose, Bal Gangadhara Tilak and many more.

Achievements of India@75

At the time of attaining freedom, sceptics predicted a gloomy and dangerous future for India where anarchy and fascism would rule. They have been proved wrong by our efficiently-managed democratic institutions, including the world’s biggest electoral process, although it has its weaknesses. Over the past seven-and-a-half decades of history, India has registered phenomenal success in many areas of life. There are remarkable improvements in the areas of science and technology, space mission, etc. We have grown into a vibrant democracy. We have one of the best armed forces in the world which have always remained as our guardian from external forces as well as natural disasters.

Agriculture: The green revolution of 1966 gave a massive impetus to India’s agricultural production. Agriculture is the primary source of livelihood for about 58% of India’s population. The agriculture sector employs nearly half of the workforce in the country. India is the world’s second-largest producer of rice, wheat, sugarcane, cotton, groundnuts and fruits and vegetables. It is the largest producer of milk in the world. In 2013, India contributed 25% to the world’s pulses production, the highest for any one country; 22% to rice production and 13% to wheat production.

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This celebration marks 75 years of democratic governance, progress and achievements on various fronts, whereby we can hold our heads high with great pride looking back on the strides we have made in the industrial, agricultural and technological evolution of our country. We have certainly made remarkable progress in the education, health, science and many other sectors, even as our defence personnel stand tall among the best in the world, their selfless dedication and heroic sacrifice guaranteeing the country’s security.

However, today we hang our heads in shame at the increase in crime and corruption, and the corrosion of our social and moral fabric, and democratic principles. Many citizens of the minority communities, the schedules castes and the tribes live in fear and uncertainty. The bias towards them is evident even in the mainstream media. On 12 August, youth the world over, including India, will observe International Youth Day. It is high time that our youth roll up their sleeves and set to transform India into a progressive and fully-liberated haven for our countrymen, both of today and of the future. This involves ensuring that our hard-earned freedom is used for the happiness and welfare of all, whereby there is total freedom from poverty and illiteracy, child labour and bonded labour, caste system, child marriage and atrocities against women, as well as inequality and injustice of every kind.

Writing about the administration of the kingdom, Kautilya wrote, “In the happiness of the subjects lies the happiness of the king, in their welfare, his welfare. The welfare of the king does not lie in the fulfilment of what is dear to him, but whatever is dear to his subjects constitutes his welfare.” This advice of Kautilya to the kings of ancient India is all the more relevant to the rulers in a modern democracy like ours.

We would do well today, along with Rabindranath Tagore, to pray, “Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake!” Until then, India’s ‘freedom struggle’ will be far from over.

We dedicate this issue of The Teenager Today to the glorious memory of those youth who played a leading role in the independence struggle of our country, and to the vibrant young Indians of today who will with determination and fervour realize our vision of true independence!

Happy Independence Day! Vande Mataram!

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On 15 August 1947, India became an independent nation from the British rule. The first Prime Minister of independent India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, hoisted the national flag at the Lahori Gate of the Red Fort in New Delhi. The Constituent Assembly that was set up in 1946 became the Parliament of Indian Dominion. On the eve of India’s independence, Jawaharlal Nehru announced in his historic speech to the Indian Constituent Assembly, “Long years ago we made a tryst with destiny, and now the time comes when we shall redeem our pledge, not wholly or in full measure, but very substantially. At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom.”

As India celebrates her 75th Independence Day and 74 years of freedom from foreign domination, we remember with love and respect all our pioneer leaders and the freedom fighters who participated in the struggle for independence.

According to Nelson Mandela, “to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” It is true; India is a constitutionally independent, free country. It makes each one of us proud to be a citizen of the largest democratic nation in the world. But even after 74 years of self-rule, a few questions pop up in our minds: Are we truly liberated and free? Are we free to lead a lawful, decent and fear-free life? Is my freedom respected by the authorities and do I in turn respect the freedom of my fellow-citizens?

Education opens up freedom

Here is a “Tagorean” prayer for the 21st century, written by Mr T. T. Srinivasan, Managing Director, Sundaram Finance: “A roof over the head, food on the plate, basic healthcare and education, for every Indian. Secularism sans hypocrisy, liberal thinking devoid of elitism, and a nationalism that respects our men and women in uniform. Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.”

Education plays an important role in the development of a person as knowledge is power and it opens up freedom. It is education that makes a person self-reliant, and creates conditions favourable for a better standard of living. It also empowers a person to fight injustices.

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It happens that some of the most beautiful souls get caught up in yesterday’s trials. But you know it is never too late to get out of it. And no matter what potholes others cause you to fall in, eventually you will come out of them. But the matter of concern is what happens after that. Are you willing to get over it, to leave it behind completely? I can never say that it is easy to do so. It will take lot of strength, and in return will give lot of pain. But it will be worth it.

That betrayal, those demons, that bad memory, can’t be bigger than the peace that you deserve. We are often told that in life good and bad keeps happening. Change your perspective; either something good happens or you get an experience!

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For the last few days the heat has been terrible in the city, so hot, that sometimes I see sizzling waves rising from the ground, ready to oppress, ready to clamp and engulf with torridness all those it can encompass within its sweaty grasp. But worse than we humans, it’s animals that suffer the most. A dog in the colony where I live, was running behind a rickshaw, and suddenly dropped dead.

The heat had claimed another victim!

But my dog prefers the heat than coming into my air-conditioned room from where I write. Not that he isn’t reacting to the heat, he is. I know he finds it unbearable, and walks all over the house looking dejected and depressed, but try as I may, he won’t enter my comfortable room.

Now why would a dog not want to enjoy the coolness of an AC room? Why does he want to lie in the humidity and oppressive heat outside, when luxury awaits him inside?

I’m sure you all must be wondering why.

Well, the reason is that he isn’t allowed to scratch himself in my room. All dogs love to scratch. Some sit, some stand, some even walk while doing so, but if you ever look at their faces, that’s one simple pleasure they enjoy: the joy of scratching!

Ah, the pleasure they get from that one scratch which goes on quite often for a few minutes! No, we do bathe him, shampoo him, brush him, and even see to it that his skin isn’t dry, but his scratching is his source of pleasure.

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Dear Saniya, drinking alcohol is really a bad habit that can lead to addiction: a compulsion to drink more and more. Alcoholics become a burden to their families and to society, useless and even dangerous. That is why your parents are very upset with you as they came to know that you “started drinking alcohol for the past 2 months”. If some of your friends introduced you to this habit you should not mingle with them anymore. Tell your parents that you are very sorry and will never again drink alcohol. If you are “really feeling very guilty” about what you did ask for forgiveness from your parents, promising never to do that again. Concentrate on your studies as you are in standard X. If your parents see you focused on your studies and avoiding bad friends they will forgive and you all will “again start living a happy life”. Anyone can make mistakes in life, but if one repents and changes he can be forgiven.

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And now started the rain of messages and phone calls! My excitement knew no bounds until I came across this message from one of my friends: “So finally 18 now!” It was a very normal message, as ordinary as any other. But, I don’t know where all the excitement went after seeing that.

Well, I am 18 now. Officially everyone in society is going to treat me as an “adult” from today. I am no more going to be a kid to everyone. People will start judging me based on my acts not that of my parents. I will be recognized as Rupa, just Rupa, not daughter of Sekhar. I need to face it as “me”.

I am an adult now. All my identities change to a “major” from a child.

I saw my sister celebrate her 18th birthday a few years ago. She was so happy; not a glimpse of tension in her eyes. I remember her exact words. “I have freedom finally! I am 18. I can take care of myself.” I didn’t get the meaning of the words then. But, now I do.

She was so happy and why am I not?

I have a different view in comparison to my sister’s. She looked at 18 as the year of her freedom and I look at it as a responsibility. I am going to be responsible for everything that I am going to face. I am responsible for everything the internal “me” says. I’m responsible for how I react and what I do. I am responsible for “me” now.

I don’t have the lap of my mother to lie on if I want to cry. I don’t have the hand of my dad on my shoulder during worries. I don’t have my sister to speak to.

Sitting in this hostel room alone on my birthday, for the first time without my parents, it’s my responsibility to motivate myself. Why are these tears rolling down? No, I’m not crying! I know no one likes it. But, this is life!

On my 18th birthday, I would like to say to my parents: “Dear mom and dad, you made me bold enough to face this society and be responsible. I promise I will never let you down and manage all my duties well. And, yes! I will be responsible for “me”, not letting anyone point a finger either at you or me. Thank you for making me ‘me’!”

I know everyone enjoys freedom. But, you will get the right to enjoy it only if you are ready to take up the responsibility that comes with it.

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The stars that were accustomed to the pomp and show accepted a backseat that night and enjoyed their presence as a mere audience filled with fascination. Accepting their resignation, the clouds conquered the sky that night. After taking a walk in the lanes of freedom and drinking from the fountain of eternal joy, the clouds underwent a drastic change of nature. Silencing the rage and storm they had caused in the sea and in human hearts, they broke the last shackle and proudly embraced death. They poured down and filled the empty oceans and the dreary lands of the human world.

“An end leads to a beginning, a beginning to an end. What happens in between is the art of the Creator!”, the stars commented as they lit the world again.

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The rolling waves of the sea
Dash against my heart
I wish to withstand them with all my might,
For the last time.
The darkness of the night
Dawns upon me
I wish to see myself
For the last time.
A storm agitates my mind
I wish to recollect all the moments
For the last time.
The cold breeze
Freezes my soul
But I wish,
To hold my breath
For the last time.
With every passing second
The mysterious night
Engulfs me.
It is then, that I wish
I had been able,
To break all the barriers
And live freely
For the last time.
I scream, shout and urge
To set me free
But alas!
Soon do I realize,
There is no one to hear me.
As years back,
The world had bid farewell to me.
And here do I lie
In eternal sleep.

This poem has been published in the February 2016 issue of The Teenager Today.

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