India won its freedom in 1947, after a great struggle. We have the world’s best constitution, the Constitution of India, to govern the country and deepen democracy, diversity, dignity, equity, freedom, livelihood security, human rights, right to life and justice. In order to ensure this, we have umpteen laws, central and state institutions, and the four pillars – the Parliament, the executive, the judiciary and the media.
Satyameva Jayate (Truth always prevails) is our defining attribute, Vasudeva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) is our aspirational and moral principle, and Atithi Devo Bhava (Guests are akin to gods) is our behavioural principle.
We have many a distinction to our credit. But today is not the time to gloat over our laurels. It is instead, a time to introspect about the areas where we may have gone wrong. This letter is for everyone who takes pride in calling themselves Indian. But there are a few questions that we need to ask today.
1. Are we really a democracy?
2. Are we following the path shown to us by Gandhi, the father of our nation? Or are we following the path shown to us by Nathuram Godse?
3. While old crimes have not subsided, new crimes like lynching have surfaced. Why?
4. How can we be so blind to the false and irrational claims made by political parties?
5. Why is it that India is hurtling down a regressive path?
6. Receding jobs, floundering economy, collapsing industry, divided rural India, cities in a mess – why is India in an economic slump?
8. Why has the ‘Public’ from Republic gone missing in India’s development?
But yes, we all need to assert our rights instead of getting cowered into submission to injustice, depravity, poverty, crime and grime. We fought in the 1900s and we will fight the Gandhian way today too. I know we will emerge victorious. For India belongs to us all and the glorious world is ours too!
Love,
Indu Prakash Singh
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