I woke up to the golden rays of sunshine lighting up every corner of my heart. I could feel the warm blood flowing through my veins and with every breath i felt liberated. Well it is not everyday that i am in such good spirits early in the morning, most likely i would be in a frantic hurry to get my act together and rush to college, being a doctor is signing away for a lifetime of hardwork you see. I could already hear the republic day parade blazing on the tv. Its been 20 years since i started watching it religiously on good old doordarshan and it still has me awestruck, i can feel myself standing a little more straight, chest all puffed up, chin held high for it is an honour to be an INDIAN. I go about wearing a white salwar, teamed up with an orange and green dupatta and i take a moment to look at myself in the mirror. ah.. No matter how old we grow, the gleam in my eyes give away my excitement. I cant help but stare into the face of a free indian, a proud indian.
"ahem ahem.. how abominable can you really get?? still overzealous about a national festival that has long lost its worth??"
i scoff at my stupid inner voice, there is no way in hell anyone can ruin this day, not even my annoying sarcastic subconscious mind! Our countrymen shed blood so that we could enjoy the fruits of freedom. Thousands of people gave up their dreams and families to fight for our motherland, to free us from the claws of colonialism, to rescue us from the wrath of vile Englishmen, to preserve what is left of everything that was looted from us, to prove that any demons can be conquered when we stand united. It is a national festival ad we shall commemorate the martyrs.
"yes...definitely.. thousands of men lost their lives so as to give up our nation to a bunch of bloodsucking,
corrupt people whom we elect as politicians, who understand more about jail life from personal experience than the meaning of basic education, to unleash upon common men the most subtle horrendous acts of injustice. And you most certainly have to be thrilled about spending one more day listening to an imposter in white, reading out a speech written by some destitute assistant."
I stare at the face sneering at me, my stand a little daunted, but i wasn't giving up soon. True, the state of our nation is not commendable. True our nation is fertile ground ground for deeply rooted problems such as poverty, illiteracy ad hunger. But the fact that we support a humongous population, thriving with innumerable cultures ad traditions, home to the biggest democracy does have to mean something. We are open to change and slowly treading towards upliftment and progress.
"pshaw.. democracy.. democracy is a government where the people participate, a representative government. Ours is a nation where nearly 70 percent people are i rural areas, 33% below poverty line and represented by the biggest money bags. A society where rape, murders and burglaries are day to day occurrences, doctors being beaten up by the public is never an issue of concern and protests are ignored like imaginary particles of dust and justice is a concept prevailing only in the pages of our most renowned constitution. Our constitution is extensive and precise, only flaw being that the judgement shall be given most likely in the next lifetime"
I push away all the nasty jabs, shake my head as if it will magically empty my mind of these gnawing thoughts. The youth of our nation are not bird brained. There are plenty of NGOs, many young intellectually accomplished, the big brains in every country they set foot on, upholding the standards of our country. We are flawed, but who is not??
"Flawed?? more like perpetually ignorant and lazy. You are a doctor, a student who toiled for one year only to watch every tom, dick and harry with lesser score but invaluable reservation secure a better pg seat. Where is the nation which understands the importance of merit?? How do you expect to take the big step towards uprooting the rampant colossal problems that plague us if a country puts forth NOT the best , but the lesser than the best for the task??? Reservations are meant for basic education, to make sure every single child in the country is provided with basic rights irrespective of caste,creed,or income. It is meant for those bright children who do not get to live their dreams because they cannot afford it. And thank the biggest democracy for listening to our plea"
I let my hands drop to my side, my fists are balled and jaw clenched, because that was bulls eye. That does not mean in i cower behind accepting defeat. I stand tall, stare right into the reflection, bearing all the wounds, celebrating it, for a day shall come when we will fight for it, we shall bleed until justice prevails and the fight begins now. We shall see a day when the masses will rise, to overpower corruption. We shall see a day when every rapist shall be stoned to death and not merely juggled around in courts. We shall see a day when merit will win and we shall stop not until such time. It is this hope that matters, that keeps us striving. It is this fire that will blaze a victory. It is this fire that brought us freedom. It is that undying spirit we celebrate.
As i finally have silenced my inner voice, i am reminded of these lines.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
Feugo
