Independence Day

15 August is celebrated as Independence Day and this is the occasion for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the nation by taking new pledges. On this day, India’s first Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru declared India’s ‘tyrst with destiny’ from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort in Delhi. Since then it has become an annual ritual for the Prime Minister of the day to address the nation from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort on this auspicious occasion.

During the past 63 years tremendous progress has been achived by the enterprising people of the country and due to their untiring efforts and zeal India is likely to emerge as the third largest economy after the US and China in a period of few years. However, the momentum of economic development has not kept pace with political and moral development.
Political system has been witnessing consistent decline and people’s faith in democratic institutions eroding. Recently, the Parliament witnessed unruly scenes. In some of the state legislatures, unruly scenes are a frequent phenomenon. Being world’s largest democracy, India is called upon to serve as a model democracy in which parliamentary and democratic institutions should set exemplary examples to be emulated by other upcoming democaries.

Our socio-political and socio-economic systems are under strain because of rampant corruption, lack of inter-sectoral convergence, bureaucracy’s apathy to people’s woeful plight, Maoist violence, adulteration of food and other edibles, blackmarketing, hoarding etc. Our political leadership should set examples of commitment to the people and dedication to the national cause. This is right time for all political parties to rise above the parochial, communal and regional considerations and think of the national priorities.

Degradation of moral values is more worrisome. Moral values constituted the hallmark of leadership of the National Freedom Movement and that was the reason people had firm faith in that leadership and followed them. Persons like Motilal Nehru, B.C. Roy and others left their lucrative professions and joined the national freedom movement. They had the moral courage to sacrifice the luxuries and embrace hardships. These days, leaders join politics to amass wealth. Almost all politicians are crorepatis.

How can one expect these leaders to redress the grievances of the poor and down-trodden? The country needs another Gandhi or Ambedkar to ameliorate the plight of the poor and neglected segments of the society. Let’s say no to corruption, pay our taxes honestly, shun violence, expose the hoarders and blackmarketers.