This day is a source of inspiration for many patriots like me since they have realised how great their nation is. History of independence day is not unknown to anyone. The day is celebrated every year to remind ourselves of the spirit of an undying nationalism with the power of which our nation's leaders forced the alien British rule to end its existence in India. The day reiterated the age old tradition of Indian soil, that a person can not be in India without being a part of it. Aryans came, they settled. Mahmud of Ghazni came, his Delhi sultanate glued itself in India. Babur came, Mughals set up their empire in India, only to stay here for whole of their lives. It was lucky for Alexander that he couldn't breach india's border, else he would also have stayed here. India has some mysterious aroma about it which always has been hypnotising for any new visitor in its land.
As much as it is inviting for the good, it is the same for the bad. Mohammad ghori invaded and looted indian property many a times. The british rule sucked away all the blood from a healthy indian economy. Chengiz khan, Ghazni, and many others have been affecting India in this path. But India always came up. As time would have wanted, India is back on its feet. This ever new but 64 years old nation is now making its mark all around the world.
This day will always be an Independence day. The only question that stirs my mind is "whose independence day is it, a nation's or its citizens' ?"
There is sometimes (like happening nowadays) negative perception in many indians' minds about their country. In a fit of frustration, some of them see India going back to the colonial type of rule, where government used to snatch the rights of people to speak, organise protests and do any activity to condemn or criticise the policies of the government. It will be false to say that they are wrong, because in some cases, the government does show its authoritative character. But saying that because of these small instances where democratic rule has been defied by the govt. itself, the nation is in danger, is not appropriate. India is much more than its government. India is its people. Its people are primary. The government is secondary. Its people are the first to celebrate Independence. The government follows the people's steps. India has always been known by its people, not by its economy, nor by its scientific possessions, neither by its artistic depictions. It is known for its strong family ties. It is known for its people's number. It is known for the work that its citizens have done all around the world. As such this nation is not known in the world by government's policies. If it is popular in the world on a political dias, is can only be by it being the world's largest democracy, which is again on the account of its large population. Hence it is the people who come first in India.
India and its people should realise that 15 August is meant for their freedom as a whole. Together only do they form an India. Government, however sincere and efficient and honest it be, can never take the topmost position. In the 1930's and 40's, all the Indians had the same word in their minds; "India". Their consolidated spirit dragged the 200 years old government out of their lives, proving that government stands nowhere near to a collective spirit. Let us all remind ourselves of this though. We are this nation, however dreamy and unrealistic it may seem.
