Sunday, August 16, 2009

Independence Day – Tryst with Promises












Tryst with Destiny


For one more time, the Prime Minister of India, this time Manmohan Singh, addressed the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day, 15th August, 2009. The occasion of Independence Day is our annual tryst with unkept promises to redeem the “pledge” of the earlier generation that brought us our freedom. That, seems to be the destiny of our people, a far cry from what was visualized by the leaders of our freedom struggle.



I have (unkept) promises to keep, and miles to go....

(Robert Frost)


Like many times before, the address of the Prime Minister was deja vu, a mix-and-match of promises old and new, very many of which have been presented at different times over the last 60 years or so in some form or the other. Year after year, over a billion people - many cynical and many still credulous - listen to promises presented in new garbs, embellished with empty words of sympathy and understanding for the plight of the people.

Sixty two years after the famous speech by Jawaharlal Nehru, the struggle for freedom from want and hunger still continues and may continue for another generation.




Here is a quick look at the real "reality show" of THE PEOPLE.



Security and safety of life ....Terrorists are responsible





House and shelter......High Prices and Shortage



Power....High prices and Shortage



Food....High prices and Shortage



Water.......Shortage



If they can't get bread, let them have cake - Marie Antoinette(?)


It is true, however, that in the ultimate analysis WE THE PEOPLE are responsible for our miseries. We keep on exercising our democratic rights in a non-serious manner by electing parties and persons who do not deserve to be elected ever and by not raising our voices loudly enough when those in authority misuse their power and fail to do their duty.


The only pledge the people need to take is to become responsible citizens who know how to exercise their rights and who also know their duties towards the society and discriminate between right and wrong.





JAI HIND