For the last many years, I have stopped going to any independence day celebration function.

Unfortunately as I see it, the attendance there is a ‘must’ for politicians or ‘wannabe’ politicians who have to showcase to the world their ‘love for nation’.

I guess I am old fashioned like my grand parents who believed in displaying it in action and words than presence in such events.

And the way society is emerging with religious, class and caste hate becoming the norm, I find less reasons to rejoice. 

Where is independence in India when even till date women are not safe in any part and are the first ones to be abused for lust, for teaching ‘lessons’ to differing communities or just for trying to be themselves?

Where is independence when the very leaders who stood for it and the constitution which emerged for its protection are demeaned night and day?

Where is independence when bowing down with total surrender to the powerful by one and all and crushing, nay slaying of any small cry of dissent is considered the right practice?

And what is there to celebrate when India still stands amongst the lowly countries when it comes to hunger, poverty, Malnutrition or even basic hygiene?

Are we celebrating the institutionalization of hate, corruption, fake news, intolerance and wealth inequalities?

Yes the glamor of wealth of the ever increasing rich and billionaire class, those fancy houses, societies and cars, extreme spending on show off in functions like marriages, grandeur of malls, fast trains, smart phones, is used by people to  define success and growth.

But when I see the people living on streets and chawls right in front of such structures and treated as insects, when I see social evils and superstitions still strong in the society and being made stronger in the name of religion, when I compare the lifestyles of religious leaders and preachers viz a viz the followers with empty stomach or in survival mode, when I see the government still talking about their ‘kindness” in giving free 5 kg ration to 80 crore people and when I see newly built buildings and infrastructure by expenditure of thousands of crores of people’s money crumbling down within months; I find celebration difficult?

And whom do I celebrate with? With families and friends deeply divided over beliefs with fear in the mind to speak out anything against the majority view, with people who rather be silent and stiff than to even allow a single window to their soul to avoid conflict?

May be it is age or detachment from this madness but I find  spending time with myself more relaxing as it is easier to shut the noise and be totally FREE.

When Tagore imagined freedom,  he sung-

“Where the mind is without fear……”

Today I will sing that song alone and hope in this lifetime,  India will be truly free and when ALL of its  citizens can sing this song aloud, loud and clear.

Amen.