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“What shall I do?
What’s the future of my children?” tears filled in her eyes, a
Bodo woman was crying her heart out during the recent and ongoing
crisis in Assam. Her situation sites at the rising insecurity,
intolerance and denial of human rights in the country. In a moment
when the nation is in crisis and chaos due to various and many
pressing problems, it’s apt to reflect on our democracy.
Democracy is a
universal value, based on the free expression of the citizens of a
nation, to determine their own political, economic, social and
cultural systems and people’s full participation. Democracy calls
for a people centered nation; a nation by the people and for the
people. Holistic growth of every individual and the collective growth
of the community among the many goals of democracy. We, Indian’s
are privileged to be the citizens of a secular democratic nation.
On 15th
September we celebrate the world democracy day. India is the second
most populous nation and as per the calculations, it will take over
China in population by 2025. One of world’s oldest civilizations,
India is the largest democracy in the world and yet a young nation.
With 28 states and 7 centrally administered union territories,
culturally diverse and religiously pluralistic India is unique in its
own manner.
Being a secular
democracy, India is supposed to enjoy the religious and cultural
freedom. We do not hold the slogan of, ‘One nation, one
religion, one language.’ Rather we believe in, ‘Unity
in diversity.’ Cultural and religious diversity adds to the
beauty of the nation. For long, India is known to be a peace loving
nation.
Over the past few
years the situation in the country is changing drastically. A few
years ago during the election campaign, the slogan, ‘India is
shining’ was sung gloriously though it was far from reality. A
few days ago when Assam was burning, the chief minister of the state
sarcastically remarked, saying, ‘Where is it burning?’ The
denial to look at the reality, is leading our nation to the ruins.
There are several
factors that affect our nation from living its foundational ethics. I
would like to discuss a few of them here.
For long India was
seen as the symbol of tolerance. Among the many, I would like to
focus on the current Assam violence. Lakhs of people have lost their
belongings and all that they had and have practically become
destitute. A fight for supremacy, a war for survival and power and
above all a communal thinking, no doubt has unsettled Assam. Does
this support our country’s slogan of tolerance? Many have asked
this question, ‘When was India tolerant?’ I wish we
take some time out to reflect on this question, for it has lots to
tell us.
Culturally diverse
and religiously pluralistic India, can no more be called a peace
loving nation. When thousands were massacred and several women were
raped and killed in Godhra carnage, world realized that India was
moving away from its fundamental values. Attacks on Christians in
Khandamal, was yet another example for the increasing religious
intolerance in our country. Over the years, increasing attacks on
various religious communities tell us that religion is no more a
uniting factor in this nation. Today religion, that too being a
minority breeds fear.
Being the citizens
of a secular democratic nation, every Indian has a right to move
throughout the length and breadth of the country. But reality
contradicts. If we glance a the threat that is being posed to the
lives of the people of north and the recent incidents of spreading
suspicious roumours of attacking the north eastern people,in
Bangalore, conveys the message that India is no more a secure place
to live on. India is at the verge of getting divided as fragments on
the basis of caste, colour, and creed. Narrow minded, small group of
people have come on the way of its integrity as a nation and it will
take years to re-unite it. I wish to live in a nation, where I have
the freedom and security, wherever I go and whichever state I enter
and I believe this is how majority in this nation think.
One of the major
factors that has damaged the Indian democracy, is the attempt to
saffronization. A conscious effort to make India a nation with, ‘One
religion, one culture and one language’ is a serious
concern to the country’s democracratic stance. Attempts of
saffronization are working subtly in every field including education.
Off late the home stay attack in Mangalore, in the name of protecting
the culture points at the rising concerns of democracy. Politically
motivated idea of saffronization, is the weed, needs uprooting, if we
want to protect the democratic stance of the country. Let’s not
forget that the real beauty is in diversity.
Corruption is yet
another factor that has denied the growth of this nation. Today
there’s hardly any sector we can call-corruption free.
Talking about this issue, I would also like to remember the movement,
‘India Against Corruption.’ Forgetting the tragic
end it had in aspiring to be a political party, I still am not sure,
how far this movement has contributed to the growth of the nation. On
the periphery, it looks as though this movement made more damage to
the stability of the nation than any positive effect. New and variety
of scams, that come into light daily, give us an idea of the dark
future of this nation.
Being a democratic
nation, electoral politics hold the key. Every member of this nation
has eligibility to contest the elections. But it’s quite sad to see
that we are still in the age of Nehru family. We have failed to look
beyond, to leaders who can give a new vision to the nation. I wish at
least in the near future, we start to think big, to make this nation
different and unique. In my opinion, it’s time to look beyond
Congress and BJP.
India is a young
nation with a large number of youth powers, which is hardly used. I
believe, it is youth, if properly oriented, will make a difference in
the nation. The guidance of the experienced and the vibrancy of
youth, as I see, are crucial to change the history and the future of
this nation which looks in shambles today.
Democracy invites
the individuals to take responsibility for the nation. Often we are
mere recipients of the system, but hardly contribute.
Years ago, when I
was in a poor village in Raichur, Karnataka, for a month long
experience, as for the requirement of my studies, I came across a boy
named Basava, aged 9, was under bonded labour. On the day of my
departure from the village, he came running to me asking, “Sir
I too want to study. I too want to be like others. Will you help me?
Listening to the boy, my conscience was shaken and challenged. There
are thousands of them seeking for liberty, struggling under various
bondages, in our nation. Can we do something about these people? Will
they some day be able to feel the taste of the spirit of democracy.
As I conclude I
remember the words of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam:
YOU say
that our government is inefficient.YOU
say that our laws are too old.YOU
say that the municipality does not pick up the garbage.YOU
say that the phones don’t work, the railways are a joke. The
airline is the worst in the world, mails never reach their
destination.YOU
say that our country has been fed to the dogs and is the absolute
pits.YOU
say, say and say. What do YOU do about it?
It’s good to ask
today, ‘What can I do for my country today?’
Let’s strive to
make this nation, truly democratic.
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