Saare Jahan Se Accha Hindostan Hamara – Happy Independence Day

 

Saare Jahan Se Accha Hindostan Hamara – Happy Independence Day

India is celebrating its Independence Day, August 15 today. In the past 79 years, ‘We the people of India’ remained engaged in realizing the pledge taken in the ‘Tryst with destiny’ speech of PM Jawaharlal Nehru delivered at the mid-night hour of August 14, 1947 in which he said, “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. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn moment, we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity.” Since then, we have come a long way – much has been done but much more remains to be done; perhaps we have arrived but we are still to reach. We shall not be oblivious of these hard ground realities, if we are serious to make India that is Bharat a great nation.

I have no mind to dwell on the data - who did what and who did not do that? It is a useless rhetoric by the political class having vested and selfish agenda.  In the process, many challenges came and were met to keep ourselves on track in accordance with the Constitution of India; one of finest and vibrant document to guide the destiny of Bharat. Thanks to the vision of our forefathers led by Babasaheb Ambedkar and others. It has been observed, with the changing socio-

political scenario over the years, perhaps we have reached a stage where it is needed to halt and think how to meet the challenges of the future to keep Bharat on rails – In accordance with the vision of Babasaheb Ambedkar - transform our political democracy into economic and social democracy, Socio-economic policies as State Socialism, Casteless Society, Communal harmony, Constitutional Morality, Gyansheel representatives of ‘We the people of India’, Shed unconstitutional methods to register grievances which lead to ‘Grammar of Anarchy’, establish Secular and Democratic Socialistic State in accordance with the lofty ideals enshrined in the Constitution of India – Justice, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.

Jara Dekh Jo Kuch Ho Raha; Hone wala Hai,

Bhala Rakha Kya Hai Ehde Kuhan Ki Dastano Mein

 Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi will address the nation for the 13^th consecutive times on August 15 from the ramparts of the Red Fort with a majestic colourful headgear (Turban) as usual. Let us come out of the usual and repeated rhetoric this year. Much water has flown in the Jamuna River. New realities are appearing on the national canvas – Gen – Z aspirations, Parliamentary logjam, deteriorating communal harmony, religious polarization, trust deficit among the political outfits, dwindling moral values among many

more. Some ‘Out of the box’ approaches are needed to ward of the dangers to our “Tryst with destiny”, if we are serious to keep Bharat on the rails in its journey to make our country a ‘Vikshit Bharat’ in the years to come. In conclusion, to my mind, we must revisit Babasaheb Ambedkar and listen to his warning to save guard our hard earned freedom. He said in the Constituent Assembly on November 25, 1949, “Will history repeat itself? It is this thought which fills me with anxiety. This anxiety is deepened by the realization of the fact that in addition to our old enemies in the form of castes and creeds we are going to have many political parties with diverse and opposing political creeds. Will Indians place the country above their creed or will they place creed above country? I do not know. But this much is certain that if the parties place creed above country, our independence will be put in jeopardy a second time and probably be lost forever. This eventuality we must all resolutely guard against. We must be determined to defend our independence with the last drop of our blood.”

 

I take this opportunity to wish my fellow countrymen Happy Independence day with the caution to be careful and alert as the inimical forces are actively at work, I believe –

 

Rulata Hai Tera Nazara Ae Hinduston! Mujh Ko
Ke Ibrat Khaiz Hai Tera Fasana Sub Fasanon Mein

(Your spectacle makes me shed tears, O India!
Your tales are admonitory among all the tales)

Chupa Kar Asteen Mein Bijliyan Rakhi Hain Gardoon Ne
Anadil Bagh Ke Ghafil Na Baithen Ashiyon Mein

(The sky has kept thunderbolts concealed up its sleeve
Garden’s nightingales should not slumber in their nests)