It’s been 64 years since our Independence from the British Raj. What changes has our nation undergone in these 6 decades? Was it any different from the situation before Independence? Or is it still the same?

A quick comparison:

Are freedom and Independence just refering to our territorial independence? Or is it a state of mind?

If we take it as a state of mind. Then India became enslaved after our Independence. People were Visionary thinkers and advocates of Action pre-independence. Post-Independence, people are plagued with a ‘slavish mentality’ characterised by,

What is it then that would set us on a path to freedom, in its fullest sense?

Change. A change in our mentality. In our approach and outlook. In our preparedness to take action. Our willingness to take things into our own hands.

Not taking things into our own hands in the fear of burning our fingers is again a ‘slavish mentality’. There is no dishonour in taking an action and failing in it. We can learn from our mistakes. But, not taking an action amounts to sacrilege. We would be on the path to imperialism in the mental sphere where the rulers (the developed countries as well as our own fears) would dominate us (Ours is still a developing country even after more that 6 decades of Independence)!

So let us initiate change. In ourselves first. And then those around us. This may be just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean ceases to exist without these drops. And let us lead India to a truly Independent Nation in mind, body and spirit.

- K Vignan Tej