The Next Freedom

Today marks the 77th Independence Day of India from the colonialism and imperialism of the British Raj. 

In the dawn of 17th century, the Englishmen sensed the prosperity and the richness of both culture and economy of India. 

They set up the British East India Company, traded with us, slowly started exploiting us, ruined the businesses our common masses, and then started interferring in the politics of the princely states. 

Offering assistance in the army and administration, they internally hallowed the power of princely states and fueled internal  tensions to divide and gain profits and power. 

Well that had been their strategy right from 17th century to the day they were kicked out of this country. Our fault? We were too naive, un-organised, aslept and kept falling more and more into their traps.

"From the 1st century CE to the start of British colonization in India in the 17th century, India's GDP varied between 25% and 35% of the world's total GDP, more than all of Europe combined. It dropped to 2% by the time Britain departed India in 1947."

-None other than Wikipedia

We quickly went through this short summary of Indian history without mentioning any dates, names and events in detail just to pay equal tributes to all the brave Indians who fought for our society's freedom and gained it, formed a wonderful Swadeshi government at last, which since then has been a constant success and till date is thriving, breaking all records!

In the movie 'The Legend of Bhagat Singh' there's a wonderful scene where Ajay Devgan, playing the role of Bhagat Singh, defines to his comrades what true freedom according to him, is.

"Freedom from the British Raj is not an actual freedom. It is more than that. Say, even if we get freedom tomorrow, what good will it do if it falls in the hands of few rich and powerful Indians? Is this freedom? What difference will it do to the common masses? Will the farmers' and labourers' conditions improve? Will they get their true rights? No. This freedom is the first step.

Our motive is to build a nation - Such a nation where every race of people have equal rights and duties to live by, where people are not discriminated in the name of religion, and such a nation where one human does not tolerate inhumanity and atrocities to their fellow humans."

Picturise the present state of India in your mind, and determine if it satisfies Bhagat Singh's definition of a  truly free nation. Well, there's a lot more progress left. 

And this was just the social aspect of freedom. To see changes in it, there's a more suble freedom, an individual freedom, freedom of Self - which is the only way out. 

You ask, "But what freedom do I need within myself?"

Let's reflect on our lives. There are many inner forces within us which bind us down, hold us back, from being a better person wholistically. 

For someone, that may be our weakness, our laziness and other things which hold us back. 

The population of India is 140 crore. 

Most people see it as a liability.

I see it as a talent pool left unharnessed.

Each human being inherently has immense potential within, and as Swami Vivekananda liked to call it - Each human being is potentially divine. The question is - To what extent do we manifest and express out our inner divinity. 

However fertile the soil is, if a seed is not sown into it, then it's insulting of the farmer to his soil. The power lies but and but in the farmers' hands.

Similarly, it is the power of the teacher, the Guru, the selfless one, eager to offer the blessing of knowledge and learning to curious students to revolutionise India. 

But it's not only the Guru's responsibility ofcourse. 

If we see the cases of the Great Disciple Eklavya, the Great seeker Nachiketa and that of Swami Vivekananda and many others from our history - we find extraordinary studenthood inside them!

Hence, I believe that the next freedom is the freedom of the self - which includes in it freedom of thought, rationality, integrity of character and such virtues. These are the qualifications of a leader material, revolutionary material. 

Once again, I emphasize on Education and Knowledge and it's great role in shaping India's future. 

Thanks,

Daksh Parekh.