For the people, By the people, Of the people

India celebrated 75th Independence day this 15th August. Many of us were thinking that we failed to avail one public holiday as 15th August is Sunday this year. Independence day does not evoke gratitude and respect in many of us now-a-days, since widespread corruption and painstakingly slow judicial system of India have dampened positive attitude of the citizens towards India's democratic system. Of course, some of us observe this day with vigour and high emotion. I heard people questioning the validity of our democracy in view of the fact that regional sentiments often supersede national unity leading to ugly form of racism in many places, even seven decades after independence. Freedom fighters of India dreamt of a nation connected with the feeling of brotherhood and respect to each other. Does this dream sound unrealistic today?

Once American business magnet Warren Buffet had a conversation with Barack Obama on wealth tax . Buffet was of the opinion that people who have achieved more are liable to give back more to the community. He said, if he were born in an African tribe where running faster is a mandatory skill, he would have ended up at the dinner plate of some wild animal as he can't run fast; his share trading skill would have proved fruitless in that enviornment. He is super successful because his society and country have given him such a platform where he can practice what he is good at. Socio-economic environment and political stability play huge role in the developmnent of the citizens. Presence of strong millitary force and conducive national policies enable the individuals to focus on constructive activities since hope for a better future stays alive. 

Recent events in Afghanistan have stunned the entire world. Afghans are known for their bravery and kind-heartedness in history. Political turmoil in mid ‘70s wrecked havoc on the citizens of Afghanistan. Many Afghans lost lives. Rampant human rights violations runied countless families. People accepted trauma as the only way of life. Few people managed to flee to other countries; feeling of being displaced affected physiological well being of them and their next generations. They were forced to shape their life around what they dont want, rather than what they are capable of and passionate about. Situation started changing post 2007 and hard-wearing Afghans started rebuilding life clinging to new hope. 

The same curse has returned this time and the world is witnessing the desperate attempts of Afghans to survive. Media is publishing heart-wrenching tales of the helpless Afghan citizens every day. Do they deserve less dignity than us? The situation could have been different if the Afghan government and army tried to fight off the evils. Afghan administration left the citizens to figure out their fate by themselves.

These developments made me feel highly privileged because I am citizen of a country which is protected by continuous vigilance and sacrifices made by one of the most esteemed armed forces in the world - Indian Army. I am powerful because my government does not impose any policy to incapacitate me based on gender or religion. Certainly our system is not devoid of flaws and many rooms are left for improvement. I am a micro part of the system and can contribute very little to the overall development of the country. But small and consistent good acts at the grass-root level collectively can form strong foundation of brighter tomorrow of the country. The essence of a country does not lie in its flag or a sport or a map, but in its people. India means Indians. Let's celebrate the blessings we enjoy every day for being part of independent India and take pledge to look beyond mutual differences to be more empathetic to each other.