I couldn't help but write this on the solemn occassion of our 61st birth anniversary as a nation.
Only yesterday was I made to realise how much we have to walk,jump,leap or maybe fly to earn the coveted tag of a 'developed nation'. Knee deep in rain water which had flooded onto the roads..rather areas demarcated as roads, stuck for hours in traffic due to lack of infrastructure in a city with a sobriquet the 'Millenium City'. Is this what a millenium city in the world's 4th strongest GDP country ought to be?
This on the eve of the 61st year of our liberation from the Brits does not augur too well.
I am reminded of an article I read about the symbolism of our National Flag, a stark contrast of what we have turned it to be. We couldn't have disregarded its meaning in a better way than we have actually done.
Lets not just blame politicians when it comes to playing this game we are all so good at. How dedicated are WE to our work? Do WE place work above material gains for our self? As an individual have WE done anything worth mentioning as national duty? Have WE stopped complaining and started taking initiatives? As a citizen of this country do WE have our personal vision for the country?
Our national flag was meant to represent a way of life, rather than an image of unity or a twice-a-year symbol for showcasing your national fervor.
Saffron: It 'was' sadly not 'is' meant to symbolise disinterestedness/renunciation from material gains. The color stood for reminding our leaders to deny material gains and instead dedicate oneself to their work. Nice joke!
White: Light, the path of truth to guide our conduct. Do we need guidelines for our conduct? Aren't we responsible enough to collect bribes, take shortcuts to fame, lie to beat competition and term it 'smart' work? Another to the list of 'should be's'..
Green: Meant to remind us of our relation to the soil, nature and life which depends on us. Ask the cows mercilessly beaten at traffic junctions, the dogs which go under the wheel of many a speeding car, the plants we pluck, the trees we uproot, the streets we litter, they will give you a true account of how we have fulfilled our commitments.
Ashoka Chakra: The wheel of law,dharma which ought to be be our principle of life and work. The wheel also denotes motion. Resistance to change is what we like to cling on to, be it nuclear policies, age-old archaic rules and laws, logicless practices.
We are all part of the cause. We are not just the victims. Just as I would have cursed the regime yesterday for the state of affairs in the country, somebody somewhere would curse me for my inefficacies.
However, all is not lost, people have woken up, better late than never, we have realised the need to change. Our NGO's, Newspapers and Corporates have started acting.
I am no preacher, don't deserve to be either. I realised it today and I share my realisation. My only plea to me and you is to once again rise to the occasion and live the dream which Tagore beautifully penned as the land..'Where the mind is without fear..'
Only yesterday was I made to realise how much we have to walk,jump,leap or maybe fly to earn the coveted tag of a 'developed nation'. Knee deep in rain water which had flooded onto the roads..rather areas demarcated as roads, stuck for hours in traffic due to lack of infrastructure in a city with a sobriquet the 'Millenium City'. Is this what a millenium city in the world's 4th strongest GDP country ought to be?
This on the eve of the 61st year of our liberation from the Brits does not augur too well.
I am reminded of an article I read about the symbolism of our National Flag, a stark contrast of what we have turned it to be. We couldn't have disregarded its meaning in a better way than we have actually done.
Lets not just blame politicians when it comes to playing this game we are all so good at. How dedicated are WE to our work? Do WE place work above material gains for our self? As an individual have WE done anything worth mentioning as national duty? Have WE stopped complaining and started taking initiatives? As a citizen of this country do WE have our personal vision for the country?
Our national flag was meant to represent a way of life, rather than an image of unity or a twice-a-year symbol for showcasing your national fervor.
Saffron: It 'was' sadly not 'is' meant to symbolise disinterestedness/renunciation from material gains. The color stood for reminding our leaders to deny material gains and instead dedicate oneself to their work. Nice joke!
White: Light, the path of truth to guide our conduct. Do we need guidelines for our conduct? Aren't we responsible enough to collect bribes, take shortcuts to fame, lie to beat competition and term it 'smart' work? Another to the list of 'should be's'..
Green: Meant to remind us of our relation to the soil, nature and life which depends on us. Ask the cows mercilessly beaten at traffic junctions, the dogs which go under the wheel of many a speeding car, the plants we pluck, the trees we uproot, the streets we litter, they will give you a true account of how we have fulfilled our commitments.
Ashoka Chakra: The wheel of law,dharma which ought to be be our principle of life and work. The wheel also denotes motion. Resistance to change is what we like to cling on to, be it nuclear policies, age-old archaic rules and laws, logicless practices.
We are all part of the cause. We are not just the victims. Just as I would have cursed the regime yesterday for the state of affairs in the country, somebody somewhere would curse me for my inefficacies.
However, all is not lost, people have woken up, better late than never, we have realised the need to change. Our NGO's, Newspapers and Corporates have started acting.
I am no preacher, don't deserve to be either. I realised it today and I share my realisation. My only plea to me and you is to once again rise to the occasion and live the dream which Tagore beautifully penned as the land..'Where the mind is without fear..'
