61 Years.. of Indian Independence !

Hey all..

I kno this post is late by a couple of days.. but here are my views !

On the midnight hour of 15th August 1947, Jawaharlal Nehru made one of the most important speeches in history.. titled 'Tryst with Destiny'.. to mark the beginning of Indian independence ! After about 200 years of colonial rule.. oppression and bloodsed, India's fight for freedom had finally come to an end.. with Lord Louis Mountbatten giving in to Indian demand for freedom !

Let's take a look at the video.. of the historic speech 'Tryst with Destiny' made by Nehru:



It is on Independence Day.. that we feel the true patriotism we have for our country ! The surge of pride that flows through our blood.. when we stand in front of a hoisted flag and chant the national anthem ! The sacrifices made by our ancestors.. so that we can live in the comfort that we do today !

India completes her 1st year as a free nation on Aug. 15, 2008. However, 60 years is a short span in the life of a nation, and barely marks the first baby steps of a toddler. Hence, any assessment of India has to be generous and optimistic.

We have made decent progress in several areas during the last 60 years. We have produced world-class scientists, engineers, journalists, soldiers, bureaucrats, politicians and doctors. We have built complex bridges and dams. We have sent satellites and rockets into space. We have increased the number of doctors tenfold.

We have increased life expectancy from 32 years to 65 years. We have built about 1.25 million miles of new roads; we have multiplied our steel production by over 50 times and cement production by almost 20 times. We have increased our exports from a few million dollars at the time of independence to more than $125 billion now, with about $150 billion of imports.

The Green Revolution.. White Revolution.. 1991 Economic Reforms.. Developement of Atomic Energy.. Software and IT Revolution.. and the presence of a Brave and Independent Media ! All these are the characteristics of a new.. and modern India !

What do these eight programs have in common? They were all led by visionaries. These visionaries adopted and improved upon global benchmarks and settled for nothing less despite tremendous odds. In each of these initiatives the national government was a genuine catalyst whose extraordinary leaders helped fashion the India of today. They and so many others created an India where all Indians have the freedom to design, innovate, create and build their futures together. What a remarkable story of how the people and the government can work together to achieve what was once thought impossible.

At the end of this post.. we can ask oursleves this question : Is India TRULY Independent ?
There is an equally convincing set of data to show that we have a long way to go in certain other areas. A whopping 350 million are illiterate; 260 million people are still below the poverty line; 150 million people lack access to drinking water; 750 million people lack decent sanitation; 50% of children are below acceptable nutrition levels; and basic medicines are unavailable in 75% of villages.

We can lift poverty.. unemployement.. illiteracy.. hunger and diseases with the same enthuasiasm and drive these visionaries had ! But if each of us thinks.. "wats the point of only yu or me workin for the upliftment of our country.. will ther be any if jus a few of us put in our efforts :| ? we may as well not do anything.. at all!", then ther really is no point !

But if each one of us.. every proud Indian.. works for the betterment of our country, India will surely reach the pinnacle of her glory ! :D

May India prosper.. Jai Hind ! :)

Adios..
Rahul !