India, that is Bharat is what over 1.4 billion people call home, our motherland. We must consider it a great honour and privilege to be called Indian. We are a hugely diverse nation, in every which way, that comprises of one-sixth of humanity on this planet. We should be proud of being Indian, and celebrate our common citizenship by extending genuine respect, kindness, care, and love to our fellow citizens, irrespective of our differences in terms of caste, creed, religion, position, sex, region, etc. India is more than just a geographical reality, it is an idea of unity in diversity.
While the external geographical boundaries have been secure over the past and present, the internal dimensions of our nation have been posing a worrisome picture, off and on.
Looking at the images of the past couple of months, I sometimes feel despondent that consciously or unconsciously we are unravelling the very foundations of our beloved nation, by our ill considered thoughts, words & actions.
It pains me, and others like me, who had sworn to even lay down our lives to defend our motherland, and our visionary Constitution. It shames me to think of Capt Vikram Batra, PVC, who laid down his life with the now immortal slogan, "yeh dil maange more" in his heart, and on his lips. Countless more have sacrificed their all to this great cause and nation, fighting an external enemy.
It saddens me to see that we are no better than an external enemy; we are doing to our nation what even our enemy cannot. We as a people are so full of ourselves, and self centred, that we resort to violence and destruction at the slightest provocation; destroying institutions, unleashing our worst sides, and damaging public & private property alike, with our mindless thoughts, words, and actions.
We blame our elected representatives for all our ills, and forget that they are a part of us, and represent us in behaviour and values. They seem to be out of place to us, but they are not, as they only tend to magnify the faultlines that most of us have. Finally, our elected representatives represent us in parliament.
Parliament is our modern temple, of democracy. This is an instiution that is a place where we expect to see legislation being drafted, for common national good, after thoughtful debates, discussions, and efficient & effective use of national resources. Is the reality anywhere close to our expectations? You decide. What do you feel?
Is the situation any better outside our parliament, be it we the citizens fulfilling their duties, while demanding their rights, guaranteed by the Constitution. Are we the citizens active participants in finding solutions or are we part of the problem, be it law & order, road safety, helping others less fortunate, or a multitude of other day to day activities in the life of a nation. Respect, care, kindness, empathy, helping others, and love towards fellow citizens, in thought, words & deeds can go a long way, I believe. Don't leave every thing to our government & politicions.
Our past & present politicians have failed us is a common feeling; they are corrupt, self centred, agenda driven, waste parliamentary time consuming precious national resources most inefficiently, etc. We want things to change, and rightly so.
Our elected representatives need to change; we deserve better.
Our politicians will change, when we change; from being self-centric to nation and citizen-centric. Leadership is needed to effect this change.
The challenge is for each one us, especially the youth to step forward, and bring about a change in themselves, one person at a time. In time, we will have the politcians that we would then deserve.
It is time for each one of us to have a long look in the mirror. Is there anything that we can change about ourselves to help build an India of our dreams and values?
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