Independence day is nearing. Shall we celebrate ?

Those were the days when entire school children practice drill, dance, March fast for an occasion, with lot of enthusiasm goes to the rehearsal, with fear wait for the results, happiness when we hear that our performance got selected for The Occasion of India. That’s 15^th of August, The proud occasion of Indian Independence day.

Painted by Swathi Medavaram

The day used to be so colourful, everywhere we could see flags, Indian map shaped badges, white uniforms, saffron white and green combination costumes, happy Independence Day slogans, tri colour bands and many more. Stadium used to so colourful with lot of people from different culture gather at one place which describes the unity in diversity quote. Families, couples, friends gather to celebrate the festival. Reflection of pomp pomp’s help by school children, ice cream candy stalls, guava stalls, cucumber stalls to flavour the yummy tastes of people.

The flag host, followed by March fast, speech by District Commissioner, followed by performances from children, prize distribution. Each one used to enjoy the day to the maximum.

As Independence Day is nearing, I thought of writing this, while doing this I went back to Independence Day celebrations during my school days which used to be as above.

The mind which used to enjoy the celebrations is thinking differently, it is asking itself that, do we need to celebrate Independence Day going forward.

India got Independence on August 15^th, 1947. It was a proud day for entire Indians. There was a reason to celebrate it every year in memories of the honest efforts, freedom struggles, dedicated sous, and patriotic the people.

But today, is the situation same? A lot of question keep haunting the younger generation. And the biggest question is “Are we Independent”.

Are we independent to see the world? A cry from a girl infant from the womb.

Are we independent from bribe? A cry from poor and middle class people.

Are we independent to lead a safe life? A cry from females

Are we independent to eradicate casteism? A cry from Generation Youth.

Are we independent to form a party without money? A cry from a start-up leader

Are we independent to choose a course of our own choice? A cry from a student.

Are we independent from terrorism fear? A cry from an individual.

Are we independent to choose a partner of our own choice? A cry from loving souls.

Are we independent from population growth? A cry from an economist.

Are we independent from hunger? A cry from poor people
.
.

Are people free from unreachable desires?

And many more.

Photography by Sanketh Gurushankar Reddy

The only question which stays is “ARE WE INDEPENDENT?” Do we need to celebrate Independence Day?

                                                                                                                             ……Shilpa