Suramya's Blog : Welcome to my crazy life…

Today we celebrate our 76th Independence Day and start the 77th year since India gained it’s independence from the British. Gaining Independence was not an easy process and nor was it because of the non-violent movement. It took blood and tears and sacrifice. We don’t have the names of everyone who sacrificed and died to make the country free and that is the biggest tragedy. We do know some of the names like Subhash Chandra Bose, Dr. B R Ambedkar, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Then there are like Gandhi and Nehru who some like to pretend were the only people who fought for the country. Only a partial list of the freedom fighters of India is at StudyIQ.com but we need to remember them all, the known and the unknown… The nobles and the common person, the kings and the slaves, the famous and the forgotten.

As we step into the future, we need to ensure that the sacrifices of those before us are remembered and never forgotten. Hindustan Times compiled a list of famous slogans by freedom fighters that can never be forgotten. Below are some of my favorites:

Subhash Chandra Bose founded Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj) and coined the slogan of ‘tum mujhe khoon do, main tumhe azaadi doonga’, that asked the people to give him blood (their lives) so that he can give them their independence.

The iconic freedom fighter Bhagat Singh who gave up his life for his country at the young age of 23 popularised the slogan penned by Urdu poet and freedom fighter Maulana Hasrat Mohanib. Inqalab Zindabad translates to ‘long live the revolution’.

These lines from the patriotic poem by Ramprasad Bismil became the inspiration for common folks across the country to rise up and make great sacrifices to earn their precious freedom. Literally they translate to something like: We have the desire to sacrifice ourselves (for our freedom) and we have to see the strength in our killer’s arms. The full poem is a must read. (This link has the English translation as well)

We were a great nation that was brainwashed to think we were nothing. Now we are back stronger than ever and we are no longer known as the begging bowl of the world, the nation of snake charmers, elephant-walkers, and illiterate minions but rather we are known for our technical skills and achievements. Once again the Indian flag is flying proudly; not just on earth but all the way to the Moon and Mars. ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission is days away from attempting a landing on the Moon, We have the Gagaan Yaan mission in the works. Our doctors and scientists created vaccinations and medicines that were freely given to countries in need during the early stages of Covid and our relief efforts across the world have saved countless lives.

I do agree that there are areas where we still need to improve, customs and mindsets that need to change. However, we are not the only one in the world that has customs and events that shame. The world loves to point to India’s shortcomings, claim the moral high ground and preach to us but these countries should look at their own countries and what is happening inside their borders. The bigotry, the anger, the collapse of social systems. We are once again seeing the rise of religious fanaticism, fascism, discrimination across the world and we as humans need to step above that.

The Maha Upanishad’s tell us that Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which means “The World Is One Family”. Similarly “Yaathum Uure Yaavarum Kaeleer” is a Tamil proverb that means “Every place is my home, everyone is my kin.”… We need to grow above our petty difference such as caste, religion, nationality, sexuality, age etc and then the sky (and beyond) is the limit.. Or like the poem says:

Translation:

Don’t live for your religion,
Don’t die for your religion,
Remember that Humanity is the religion for India
Just live for the country
Victory/Salutations to Mother India

Happy Independence Day Everyone!

– Suramya