Happy 59th Birthday, My Great India

India turns 59 today. Happy Independence Day India.

Today, once again we get a chance to look back in reverence and salute the millions of great people who fought for our independence. Thousands of youth gave up lucrative future for the cause of a free India. Countless women broke the shackles and came out on streets to protest. Thousands of people sacrificed their life. Finally, the British oppressors found it impossible to stay on and India got its independence at midnight on this day 59 years back.

Since then, India has been an amazing growth story. We have grown in leaps and bounds. Today India is a recognised global superpower. We are a huge talent pool. We have some of the greatest business houses. Economic growth has been rapid. We are considered the future of the 21st century. All these and more have made India proud and I feel lucky to be part of such a great country.

If the story had ended here, I would have been one of the happiest Indians on earth. Sadly, it does not. There is another face of the coin which has been neglected for long. Even after 50 years, more than 40% of India lives below poverty line. More than 30% of children do not have primary education. More farmers have committed suicide in India than in any other country. The country is doing badly in nourishment for women and children. The infant mortality rates in India are almost equal to African countries.

Finally, the biggest problem in front of India is corruption. Corruption is rampant at all levels in the government. Crores and crores of public tax money is being siphoned off and thus stalling the development projects forever. Any attempt by citizens to curb corruption is being thwarted by the beaurocracy (Lok Ayuktha and RTI are only examples).

I feel that the greatest tribute we can offer to all the freedom fighters would be to solve these problems. What we have today was not the freedom that they wished for. Yes, they wanted a free India. Not just free from Britishers, but also free from all the problems stated above. I genuinely hope that we make progress in these regards and Mother India will have lots more to cheer about on her next birthday.

Jai Hind.

Ceasefire, At Last...

At last, Israel has agreed to an UN imposed ceasefire. This marks the end to Israel’s 5 week onslaught on Lebanon.

Sadly, the ceasefire has come a little too late. In the 30+ days of continuous pounding, Israel has successfully managed in killing hundreds of innocent people and making thousands homeless. Hundreds of innocent women and children were killed. The basic infrastructure in Lebanon which took more than 3 decades to be built, bit dust in no time.

When we look back and try to find the reasons behind this war, we will be surprised that there are no concrete ones. Israel intended to disarm and destroy Hezbollah-- A terror outfit fighting against Israel from the Lebanese border. Agreed that Hezbollah must be disbanded and there is no excuse for Lebanon for supporting it.

But what Israel failed to realize is that killing of innocent citizens and bombing bridges will not destroy a terror outfit. And the effects of this are that the people of Lebanon are once again pushed into condition they were in the 70's when the country was in civil war. 30 years of country construction has bitten dust in days. People are again pushed to the brink of poverty.

US also is equally responsible for the disaster. Without active US support, Israel could not have taken such a big step. When most of the international community was up in arms condemning the act, US was busy supplying advanced rockets and severe bombs!

Let’s look at what the war has managed to achieve. Precious little gain for Israel as Hezbollah continues to be a major force in the region. In fact, its strength and image in the region is bound to increase given its successful defense against Israeli forces. The US and Israel have once again incurred the wrath of the Muslim community. This will add to the already long list of problems for the US.

Finally, the greatest losers are the Lebanese. For no mistake of theirs' they face doom. Thousands are without home, food and basic needs. With uncertainty prevailing in the country, getting investment will be a Herculean task. Also, with US showing little interest in rebuilding, the Lebanese sure face a bleak future. Therefore, even as the ceasefire has prevented further killing, the people who are alive don’t have much to look forward to.

The Lebanese war has once again proved that war and violence has no gains even for the oppressor. I wonder if the people in power will ever learn from history.