Page 11 - Seniors Today - August 21 Issue
P. 11
Cover Story
The Idea of
Freedom
What did achieving Independence mean 74 years ago, and what does it
mean today, asks Aditi Mittal
Millions of people gathered around Moment of freedom
radios 74 years ago and listened to Every year that we celebrate Independence
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru declare us an Day, I try to imagine these scenes in my
independent nation. I was not born then, head. How did that moment of freedom
but we have enough proof in the form of play out for millions of Indians? Those
stories to tell us that the streets burst into people who were there in that moment,
celebration. are the ones who keep us tied to the idea of
A group of inebriated youngsters, who are India. Every year, the number of people to
all probably gone now, chanted, “India is whom we can ask this question becomes
freeeee!” fewer and fewer.
A young gent from the group, who had In human life, 74 years is long. But in the
passed out before midnight, came to with a life of a nation, it is not very long at all.
start. “Free? Does this mean we won’t have If anything, India is one of the youngest
to pay for anything any more?” countries in the world right now. The
“No you idiot, being free does not mean British empire justified its two-century-
you don’t pay, being free means being long rule on us by often saying that India
responsible for yourself,” explained his was difficult to give independence to,
friend. because they thought we were too savage,
“How is that freedom? It sounds like more that our leadership was lacking. When
work,” he mumbled before he fell back off they did finally leave, India was seen as
to sleep. an experiment by the rest of the world- an
SENIORS TODAY | ISSUE #26 | AUGUST 2021 11
