Are We Worth This Freedom? - Part 2

Indian Youth's Freedom

Most of the youngsters in India have developed a tendency to criticise the country every now and then. No matter which occasion it is, the idle talks are usually about complaining something negative about India. It is surprising to notice such people who are usually that bunch of individuals who consider it boring to even discuss nationalism .

Anyone found mentioning the need to encourage patriotism among the youth, is looked upon with raised eyebrows. In an environment where most of us remain limited to 'me and my immeidiate world' theory in life, it is naive to expect celebration in the name of the country even when its Independence or Republic Day.

The countrymen, who find it justified discussing or greeting each other days after winning a cricket tournament like the T-20 cricket world cup, it is strange to see them shying away from greeting each other even on their national days.

A lot of people today don't even mind questioning the usefulness of the Prime Minister giving the I-Day speech from the ramparts of Red Fort or carrying out the R-Day parade on the Rajpath on R-Day. Can there be more shameful than this for the freedom fighters and jawans whose sacrifices of lives for their beloved country are paid tribute with such celebrations?It's a pity that many of us have turned to this level of considering such commemorations a wastage of time and money.

Anyone talking about patriotism is labelled as a functionary of BJP or RSS. Anyone overtly talking about secularism and minorities is labelled Congressmen and anyone talking about need to bridge class struggle would henceforth be called BSP or SP worker.And, not to forget anyone talking anti-Bush or inflation would be called a Communist.Can there be worse way to end any mentally productive discussion to end before it begins? But most of us do that.

The independence day greetings are exchanged in Angrezi, the language belonging to the British, in place of national language Hindi or any other regional language.People shy to greet each other with golden words like "Jai Hind" or "Vande Matram", which were once considered enough to trigger a patriotic fervour among crowds, irrespective of place.

There are a very few who argue for this country than against it? Everyone blames the country instead of questioning one's own contribution for its progress. Most of the people would lampoon the ones talking about the prestige of this country? They forget if a nation is respected in the world, it is because of its countrymen. If it is doubted for its potential or slow development, it is because of its countrymen.

But who cares till one's immediate family is getting food on time and has enough means to enjoy life far away from the celebrations of national days? Who cares if a huge number of the so called educated class goes clueless if they are asked to recite first two stanzas of their national anthem—Vande Matram song—or the national anthem? Shouldn't we learn it for our nation, even if learning it doesn't help us in monetary terms? Believe it or not learning such things give a lifetime ecstacy and a inexplicable joy at any social gathering.

But how can our future generations be expected of realizing such lacunae of the present-day system till our families are busy building a brigade of dancers and singers or movie buffs in our families much before teaching them their national song.