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.