Sir,
As we celebrate our 69th Independence Day, I need to ask my self , “Am I really free?” What do I want to be to feel the fragrance of freedom. What are my aspirations? First, my basic needs have to be met ie food to eat, a roof on my head, and right to love. In case, these basic needs are missing, then either I would be a slave to some one, or a violent person, leading to crimes. How can a hungry man be happy?
Once, my basic needs are met, then, my basic freedoms begin, as enshrined in the Constitution of India. If I am born poor, is it my fault that my parents send me to earn wages rather than to a school? If I lag behind privileged children, is it my fault that my parents can only send me to a Govt school, which is second rate as of now? Am I condemned to lead a miserable life, just because, I am born in a poor family? If we are a free country, then the democratic Govt of the day, has to make up my birth ‘deficiencies’ of economic and social backwardness. I will work hard, but please enable free and meaningful education to me. I will earn a degree, but please provide me a job. I will do my job honestly, and with conviction, but do not punish me for talking straight.
Yes, freedom means to me to be myself. And, it also entails, that I be a responsible citizen, fully realizing my responsibilities to the nation and society. Let no one take me for granted, or use me as their tool, to divide the nation. I respect all religions, castes or creed. But, foremost, I am a free Indian, proud of my great nation.
Yours etc….
Colonel R D Singh (Retd),Defence Colony,
Ambala Cantt, Haryana
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