Independence

What does freedom mean to each one of us?

Some might say .. "Free from monetary constraints".
While others may end up saying..."Free from parents" , "Free from family","Free from stress","Free from the world" , "Free from bad people", "Free from crime", "Free from terrorism".

The Freedom to do what we want, but will that suffice the inner needs and make us contended.Will that give us inner peace?

 My mother almost everyday since the last 7 years and some days twice mentions it without fail that how good it is for me to settle back home.She had urged me to come back the day when I landed in the States because she doesn't give up on the fact that our country is inadequate in any way in providing the righteous ways towards development of a budding professional which I too don't completely disagree with.

   She has successfully served the Indian government by being a science teacher and though she handled a lot of random hassles and defended politically incorrect opinions against education but when you have the art of creating rigid figurines fresh out of slimy, disproportionate clay that magical touch of owning a caricature has the charm in its own way.
  Right now when she visits any place within the state (Odisha) she served or just steps out to attend a casual event amidst the locality, there are eyes which look up to her and hands which sometimes extend to touch her feet filled with gratitude, a dutiful bow signifying a triumphant declaration of success.At that very moment in her eyes you see a proud reflection of glorious independence.A glory she acquired after probably a decade of hard work and sincerity. Well some of us are still waiting for that moment while some are already getting there where they can say we made our country proud not just by sharing patriotic videos or watching movies of freedom cult but by literally serving the country and devoting our soul into this growing venture which is very much our own.

  While taking a few steps back I would agree that the crime rate is soaring high, woman are still being mocked at for trying to be independent, or being deprived of their own respect, counting numerous horrifying dowry deaths, silent rape victims, innocence lost in child trafficking, but despite all this it's very much the place I believe in and where I belong and has made me the person who I am and to be honest which country doesn't have it's own set of discomforts? , they very well do in some way or the other in some countries people just loose lives at the gun point due to drastic gun policies, or girls are buried alive for the grace of the families, ... it is the people who make the difference the country just magnifies it into a bigger picture.

  While fresh out of college figuring out life , while joining a young start up , while having my first heart break, while leaving the most valuable friends..This is the only place where you can be rejected and accepted at the same time. 

  That's the best part that there may be many out there still struggling for a better life but if you come across them they will welcome you with a smile and  still motivate you to try till the end.I still recall the day when I was heading for an interview in Mumbai boarded an auto rickshaw (A three wheel drive) and the driver on our way politely informed ,"The ride is expensive, but if you happen to come back the same way it would be best you opt for the bus transportation", giving me the specific bus details he left.Knowing that I would never meet this person ever in my life he still made a successful attempt to create the mark and make me feel proud of being a part of such a country where helping others matter more than anything else.

A Smile even though the face is covered in sweat,
A bread served even though their kitchen is flooded wet,
A cup of sugar even though it's their last day in the neighborhood,
Trickling tear drops for the one they met yesterday,
An innocent prayer for a passenger they just met,
Their lunch box for a kid and his dog while rushing to work,
Their shawl to hide a mother's feed for her new born,
That's India...

The attitude you will never encounter wherever you go around the globe.

It's been 70 years today since we are free from the British Era which was a well deserving win with India embracing the free world headed towards an aggressive future.

My heartfelt salute to those unsung heroes who worked throughout their lives giving up their entire generation in attaining the real meaningful India.Freedom of conscience, Freedom from Untouchability, Freedom from widow salvation (Sati- where a widow used to burn herself live with her dead husband) , Freedom to attain an educated environment, Freedom to walk hand in hand with gender equality.

Minds need to think alike , voices need to echo the same thoughts, the crowd needs to flock in the same direction, and everyone needs to believe in the same notion that we can and will achieve the one goal of Unity, which can kill almost every little to a gigantic negative force that will march towards us.

Jai Hind !