Independence day rant!

So the day start with me hopping on from one meeting to another! Taxi hopping. In a new land. Meeting new people. On working new partnerships. Thinking about new ways of improving health care and education delivery systems in the country. 

Suddenly the next signal a bunch of ruggedly dressed people turn up! Selling national flags. That reminded me that it is Independence day; We should be wearing the tiranga on our chest! The other day they were begging!

Independence day!

On the same day a group of people, who we have always considered lesser mortals, or dalits as we call them; who had not been allowed entry in to churches and temples, treated as second class citizens even in market places were beaten up by a mob for carrying out a protest march! Freedom to protest!

Few days ago, a magazine's editor in chief, one of the popular one at that, was sacked, just because it ran an article against child trafficking by a particular organisation! Freedom of press!

Few weeks ago, young men, our own, were shot at by pellet guns; some became blind; Some dead! Just because they thought the government is not doing the right thing and protested! Freedom of speech!

A Politically elected government had been stopped at many fronts; To do what they think is better suited for the city that had elected them! Freedom of governance!

A world renowned NGO was blocked and threatened arrest because they were organizing protest against the misdeeds by the govt. Freedom of Expression!

I repeatedly ask myself the question, what does independence mean to me as an individual?

For all the myraid problems facing this country, If it is still better for us to be ruled by the present rulers than having some foreigner ruling it for his benefit then yes, may be independence day may have some meaning to it.

But we are really far from being truly independent!