Fifty years of Independence

FIFTY YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE –
­INTROSPECTION AND PROSPECTION

After remaining under foreign yoke for centuries because of lack of unity among people, the country attained freedom from bondage and release from the shackles of foreigners with protracted struggle irrespective of caste, creed, and colour. The last of them is the present union territory of Goa, Diu and Daman. With the culmination of struggle and sacrifice independence was attained. But this political freedom did not pave the way for social and economic freedom.

There is tremendous progress in different arenas. Yet there is degeneration of values. Against this drop an introspection of the past achievements and dark spots, is called for. On this momentous occasion of the Golden Jubilee celebration of the country’s Independence there is need for planning for future also.

After the attainment of Independence, there has been mushroom growth of educational institutions, though standards have in general gone down. Longevity has considerably improved with the growth of medical facilities and with the coming up of Multi-specialties Hospitals, but the standard of living has fallen. Television and Cinema have been considerably encouraged, but not art for its own sake.

Egoism and lust for power have been on the rise. Earning bread by the sweat of the brow has diminished. Easy going has become the way of life. Evil is triumphing over goodness. The quest for real knowledge is lost in thesearch for quick learning. People are satisfied with superfluous knowledge. Vulgar literature is at a premium. Corruption has become rampant. Repayment of debt for life has gone into oblivion.

Convents and ‘grammar schools’ without knowing even the meaning of the words have become operational all over. Satakas and values have altogether been lost. Self-centered people with unscrupulous nature have come to reign supreme. Cruelty and violence have come to the forefront. Dowry and other social evils including black marketing are still prevalent. The middle class people are unable to get on in the society. Woman is not being respected duly. Moral values have gone down and there is degeneration of culture, selfless service is almost absent. Dignity of labour and service-­mindedness have been lost sight of and perseverance; and dedication are lacking. Merit and true dedication are not being recognised and encouraged. Communalism and criminalisation ofpolitics are endangering the populace. With merit not being given due place, yellow journalism in stead of constructive journalism has taken roots.

Discipline and dedication of purpose are getting shortened. Villages or rural areas,  the soul of the country, have not been duly uplifted. As already indicated, corruption and violence are eating into the vitals of the nation.

Responsibility is not felt, but only rights are fought for. There is thus retrogression. The things for which the three colours and wheel in the national colour standard are forgotten. The Nation or the country, Dharma, Spiritual love and Humanism, the four pillars, are shattered. (Education has become a product in market, without knowing the meaning also, there is abnormal growth of educational institutions to the destruction of standards and traditional values.

There is necessity of freedom from poverty, hunger and degeneration of values. There is every need for rooting out corruption and other social evils. Every body is to be provided with basic requirements of electricity protected water and unpolluted air.

Service to mankind shall be the motive. Selflessness, peaceful mind and ever working hard are to be inculcated among people by good leaders, who can forge unity. Purity ofmind and soul is the important. The tempo of making even god a commercial article must be checked. Culture Orientation and deservingness shall be made the basis every where. unflinching and impeccable integrity and worth must be duly respected and uplifted. The percentage of allocation in the budget for education must be fair and higher education can not be earmarked for the rich alone. The women must be duly educated on cultural lines. Biographies of great leaders and others may be made compulsory for students, every body must emulate the earliest and greatest leaders.

Self-employment shall become the goal of education. On-the-job training is essential for life to become an established and secure one. With spirit, tolerance and perseverance problems shall be tried to be solved. Spirituality is tobe laid emphasis upon along with materialism and the true spirit of the soul must be propagated and discerned in a due manner. The trouble from inside of militants, terrorists, traitors and insurgents and foreigners must be
squarely dealt with.

The saga of sacrifice, propelled by freedom fighters and that legacy left by them, must be pursued vigorously. This way we can meaningfully and joyfully celebrate the Golden Jubilee year throughout the length and breadth ofthe country with thrill and ecstasy.