Nation @ 80

-
Nation @ 80

India celebrates its Independence Day on the 15th of August every year.

What is popularly known as Independence Day is, in technical terms, the day associated with the transfer of power from the British to Indian leadership. This transfer of authority was the culmination of a prolonged and determined struggle against colonial rule.

---

However, to describe this event merely as a “Transfer of Power” would be an oversimplification if we fail to acknowledge the nearly century-long struggle that preceded it. This struggle encompassed a wide range of movements and agitations, from the Swadeshi and Non-Cooperation movements to Civil Disobedience and others. It began with the Revolt of 1857 and reached its decisive phase with the revolutionary momentum generated by the Quit India Movement.

One may liken the experience to the discomfort of generations when an intruder, under the guise of familial association, gradually occupies one’s home, assumes control over it, and compels the rightful occupants to live under conditions of dispossession within what was once their own.

Nevertheless, despite being the rulers of the land, the British cannot be regarded as having been genuinely committed to the welfare of the Indian populace, notwithstanding certain measures for which some degree of acknowledgment may be due.

Modern education, the establishment of universities, the introduction of a formal judicial system, increased engagement with the wider world, the concept of the “Rule of Law,” equality before law, and the advancement of science and scientific inquiry, along with various legal and social reforms—including efforts against practices such as child marriage and enforced widowhood—did contribute to the emergence of new intellectual and social frameworks in India.

However, these developments did not substantially improve the living conditions of the broader population, much of which remained deprived due to the systematic destruction of traditional crafts, skills, and industries. A significant portion of India continued to endure severe poverty, deprivation, and social stagnation, marked by recurring famines and widespread hardship, exacerbated by the extraction of resources and the colonial administration functioning as an instrument of economic exploitation.

At the same time, it must also be acknowledged that one of the more profound adverse effects of British rule was the internalisation among Indians of the belief that all things English were inherently superior, while all things Indian were inferior or unworthy of regard.

Within this context, the so-called “Anglicised educated semi-wisdom” often contributed to a sense of alienation, self-doubt, and cultural dissonance among Indians.

---

In my view, the term “Independence Day” no longer fully captures the contemporary significance of this occasion. It may be more appropriate to regard this day as "National Swaraj Diwas" as no one whether man or country is truly independent. Every country is dependent on some other countries to survive in this era of globalisation just as every human being is dependent in more ways than one upon some other human being to survive. 
Or this day should be as "National Freedom Day" as a day to remember when we started charting our own course of action to see ourselves developed in our scheme of things by making, designing or dovetailing suitable choices for us for the progress we cherish.
R.R.P

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

साधन चतुष्टय

-
जैसा कि नाम से ही स्पष्ट है, उपरोक्त का आशय चार साधनों के समूह से है. ये कौन से साधन हैं जो मनुष्य को बन्धन से मुक्त करते हैं-इसे आचार्य शंकर ने स्वरचित ग्रंथ 'विवेक-चूड़ामणि' मे...
Read more

जिन मुश्किलों में मुस्कुराना हो मना

-
प्रस्तुत है कविवर गोपाल दास नीरज की एक कविता   **    जिन मुश्किलों में मुस्कुराना हो मना      उन मुश्किलों में मुस्कुराना धर्म है                                                   ** ***************************** जिन मुश्किलों में मुस्कुराना हो मना उन मुश्किलों में मुस्कुराना धर्म है। १. जिस वक़्त जीना ग़ैर मुमकिन सा लगे        उस वक़्त जीना फ़र्ज़ है इंसान का,      लाज़िम लहर के साथ तब है खेलना,       जब हो समन्दर पे नशा तूफान का  जिस वायु का दीपक बुझाना ध्येय हो       उस वायु में दीपक जलाना धर्म है। २. हो नहीं मंज़िल कहीं जिस राह की         उस राह चलना चाहिए इंसान को          जिस दर्द से सारी 'उमर रोते रहे          वह दर्द पाना है ज़रूरी प्यार को     जिस चाह का हस्ती मिटाना न...
Read more

रामचरितमानस में पर्यावरणतत्व का दिग्दर्शन

-
गोस्वामी तुलसीदासजी ज्ञान, भक्ति और वैराग्य की मूर्ति थे। उनके द्वारा रचित रामचरितमानस एक सर्वांग सुंदर ग्रंथ है जिसके बारे में मान्यता है कि गोस्वामी जी ने इसकी रचना भगवान गौरीशंकर की आज्ञा से किया।  वैसे तो इस ग्रंथ की रचना तुलसीदासजी ने अपने इष्टदेव भगवान श्रीराम के चरित्र का वर्णन अपनी भाषा में कर अपने चित्त को सुख प्रदान करने के लिए हीं किया किंतु इससे भविष्य में होने वाले हुए लोकोपकार का अनुमान कदाचित गोस्वामी जी को भी नहीं रहा होगा।   भगवान श्रीराम के प्रति अपनी अनन्य भक्ति को केंद्र में रखकर गोस्वामी जी ने जिस तरह से लोकनीति,राजनीति कर्म,धर्म,अध्यात्म,योग,दर्शन,ज्ञान,त्याग,प्रेम और वैराग्य सहित जीवन के विविध पक्षों से सम्बंधित आदर्श मूल्यों एवं तत्वों को उन्होंने इसमें जो सरल,सुबोध एवं सुग्राह्य शैली में सुंदर और सुरूचिपूर्ण ढंग से पिरोया है,उसका दर्शन अन्यत्र दुर्लभ है. यह उनके विशाल एवं अथाह आध्यात्मिक तथा व्यावहारिक अनुभवसंचित ज्ञान का दिग्दर्शन कराता है।  ******************************************************* रामचरितमानस में रामकथा के माध्यम से वर्णित जी...
Read more