India@79

We have seen how India has grown leaps and bounds from the 80s -90s to the 21st Century. The IT revolution happened in front of our eyes. Yet we should never forget development is not something that we see outside but its a mindset. Many who were in rural settings reached the cities. Their dreams took flight as opportunities were created irrespective of class, gender, color. We had sound eduction and values with exchange of ideas that powered the normal man to dream and innovate. We should not forget the sacrifice of our armed forces, martyrs who paid a price so that we can live the "dream" !

Now we boast of being an economic and technological powerhouse! But if we look at a bigger perspective we have become more narrow minded. Instead of becoming selfless in serving our nation, we have become more selfish that corruption is king everywhere. We see ostracisation of minorities and attacks on places of worship . Private homes where worship is happening is attacked by fundamentalists. Pastors and social workers are targetted by the Anti Conversion law. We see an atmosphere of hatred and violence which will severely dent our progress.

A study from the World Inequality Lab finds that the present-day golden era of Indian billionaires has produced soaring income inequality in India(Courtesy : Time Magazine)

A detailed report can be seen from- https://thewire.in/economy/the-worlds-fourth-largest-economy-and-its-deepest-divide

With many innocent languishing in jails and criminals let out, our judicial system is cracked. When we see the increase of drug addiction, social unrest, high unemployment -we cannot afford to sit back and pretend all is well.

Our Press Freedom is very alarming according to the reports.

https://www.thenewsminute.com/news/india-ranks-151-in-world-press-freedom-index-report-raises-alarm-over-media-monopoly

As we celebrate the freedom from colonial rule , we should reaffirm to fight for our freedoms that brought us together, kept us together and will keep us in a good shape in a troubled environment around.

I strongly believe this is India's time . With the largest man power and vibrant youth eco system, we can conquer heights if we are grounded in the values and ideals of the constitution. The government should free up the people to learn, ideate and pursue their strengths by cutting down the red tape culture and exorbitant taxations. The medical and education sectors namely should be freed up from business lobbies.

Former PM, Late Dr Manmohan Singh , one of the key architects of the India that we see today used to refer to Victor Hugo's quote-"No power on Earth can stop an idea whose time has come" 

United we STAND, Divided we FALL!