[Originally posted as a Facebook note on 15th Aug 2012]
Today we celebrate the 65th Year of Independence of our motherland India. We remember all the freedom fighters, who struggled persistently and some who died in the pursuit of gaining independence. For a day, we all become overly-patriotic and some of us even go to an extent of walking around a field in a very awkward way to the sound of synchronized beats. And for most of us, it’s just another holiday where you can maybe get your lazy ass off the bed and get on with the pending assignments, laundry (which due to prolonged abandonment have become more dirty than it was at the time of segregation) and chores that have been procrastinated for long. Now again, in that faction we have many sub-factions with their own reasons for not giving a hoot about the Independence Day.
The notion behind my ignorance towards such a great national event is solid, or so I think. See, I think the premise on which we celebrate this day in August is really preposterous and passé too. Are we still hungover from the British tyranny?? Really, people move on! There are other things to worry about, mull over, than “celebrating” Independence Day. Firstly, you aren’t independent; you, my gullible and clueless nimrods are still under the subjugation of powerful and the rich. And from the philosophical standpoint, how can you say that you’re independent when your every move is influenced by societal laws or cultural norms or some conventions? And you also say you’re free? You can do whatever pleases you. Yeah right, go drive past the Chief Minister’s convoy tomorrow. When those selfless, inherently altruistic and not-at-all-publicity-hungry folks, gave their life to see India free of oppression, they did not have this type of deceptive and restricted freedom in mind. Or maybe they didn’t think it through? Even in the time of colonialism the rich and the powerful were unflustered as they enjoyed every luxury, it was the middle class and the dirt-poor who suffered. And in the risk of sounding redundant, I ask how is that any different from now? The country where poverty, hunger, diseases and bane of corruption is rife at every level. The country where the rich and the powerful continue to thrive as they pile up on their cornucopia of tinted wealth. At least the British tyrants had the courtesy to not pigeonhole anyone while enslaving, but the pigeonholing that exists in the neo-slavery, god don’t get me started. So, the struggle for independence has been ineffective to abolish slavery. Not because of the freedom fighters but because of the lack of such similar icons to follow-through. You proudly serenade the anthem, you update your status in Facebook saying “Happy Independence Day”…but what is it that makes you happy? The inflating economy, communal hatred, large scale corruption?? Forget that large-scale freedom. Most of us are still dependent on others. We can’t even think for ourselves. We are trapped by those conventions I mentioned earlier. We restrict ourselves to try out new things, venture out, protest, speak up and you say, you are independent, you are free!!
Now, this rant was being constructed as soon as I returned from college. But my stream of consciousness was broken as I went out to eat…Hence; this half-baked note has really started to sound incoherent. So, I would like to stop here! But again, I have published this, because, that is freedom- the freedom to publish asinine things without thinking twice. Lastly, I’d end my pathetic attempt at this unclear diatribe, by saying- this independence day, why don’t we all, for one second, stop pretending to give a fuck about our country and start giving a fuck about ourselves. Like seriously, come on, you seriously think that tweeting Happy iDay and texting the same will make you a patriot and an Indian? I don’t think so; like I told, we are suffocated under so many laws which are, quite frankly, necessary to maintain order. But if you gain control over your mind, be independent and do what pleases you…there will be no order and we all will be animals. So, independence in itself is a paradox. There you go, I rest my case. Independence Day is a flawed concept. Because until the sense of real humanism comes from within and until the stigma of convoluted religions becomes moot being independent is impossible it’ll just be make-believe. But when people become aware of things and expand their wit then that day my friends, I’ll also celebrate Independence Day, unfurl flag, the flag representing humanism…no countries, united world under no-one-man but everyone of us…!! As of now, the only thing that I’ll hoist is my hand and proceed myself to give those of you the bird (and not the freedom bird) for trying to be hip and pretentious-patriot-per annum! Patriotism is not a one night stand! Keep the spirit alive if that pleases you! But I’d suggest you not to be overly patriotic (xenophobic, I mean)!!
doomed dilettante 