Page 20 - Seniors Today
P. 20
world sleeps, India will awake to life and institutions, the timeless songs like ‘Sare
freedom.” ahaan se achha, Hindostaan hamara, hum
A moment comes, which comes but rarely bulbule hain isiki, yeh gulistan hamara’
in history, when we step out from the old (penned by Muhammad Iqbal ), ‘Aye
to the new -- when an age ends, and when mere watan ke logon, zara aankh mein
the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds bhara lo paani, jo shaheed huein hain
utterance. It is fitting that at this solemn uniki zara yaad kara kurbani’ ( penned
moment we take the pledge of dedication to by Kavi Pradeep ) and our national song
the service of India, and her people, and to ‘Vande Mataram, Sujalaam Sufalam,
the still larger cause of humanity.” Malaya Sheetalaam, Shasyashamalaam
The speech concludes on a nice note with a Mataram’( penned by Bankim Chandra
forward-looking ‘responsibility’ statement, Chattopadhyay ), full of deep meaning and
to quote – “To the people of India, whose emotions, pride for our motherland and
representatives we are, we make appeal poignancy, would stay firmly etched in
to join us with faith and confidence in this our minds and hearts for months, silently
great adventure. This is no time for petty motivating us to build our nation.
and destructive criticism, no time for ill will It is obvious and needs no elaboration that
or blaming others. We have to build the India has grown rapidly and progressed
noble mansion of free India where all her across several parameters and development
children may dwell.” indices in the last 75 years and has become
a force to reckon with in the world order.
People have been empowered, shackles and
barriers of access to resources, education
and finances have come down significantly,
the stubborn casteism is getting diluted
to a great extent, technology, innovations
and digitisation is ensuring economic
growth, better incomes and standards of
living, universal banking and benefits
Many of us would remember reading this to the marginalised. Innovations and
milestone speech in our growing up school scientific minds are propelling discoveries
days, celebrating the Independence Day and opportunities. Upstarts are becoming
with swelling patriotism and enthusiasm, unicorns and offering jobs, not just
hoisting of our flag, heartfelt singing of conglomerates. The list can go on.
the national anthem, Jana Gana Mana Overall, there has been an enabling
Adhinayaka Jaya Heh, Bharata Bhaagya environment in which people of any caste
Vidhaataa ( penned by Rabindranath and colour can perform and flourish
Tagore ) and listening to energising and and make a name and fame for himself
eloquent speeches by the Presidents, Prime or herself in India and abroad. What
Ministers, Chief Ministers and Governors can be a better vindication of this than
on radios and televisions. Besides the Droupadi Murmu, a Santhal tribal woman,
ceremonial celebrations in public and becoming the President of the country
private and in offices and educational and be a beacon of hope to so many in
20
