January 26 has been scribed on the pages of Indian history with golden words as the auspicious day when our Constitution came into force, letting India feel a truly sovereign nation.
Although we broke the shackles of slavery and became sovereign on August 15, 1947, we had no set rules of our own to rule the nation. It was on August 29, 1947 that a committee was appointed to draft a permanent constitution for India with Dr. B.R Ambedkar as its Chairman. After many deliberations and some modifications, the 308 members of the Assembly signed two hand-written copies of the document (one in Hindi and the other in English) on January 24, 1950. Two days later, viz. on January 26, it was adopted as the Constitution of India. It took a span of two years, 11 months and 18 days.
January 26 was not some random date picked out of the calendar for the purpose. It was on this day in 1927 that the Indian National Congress, then fighting its non-violent struggle for freedom, had voted for complete independence as against domination status.
We celebrate the Republic Day with utmost zeal and enthusiasm to rejoice the freedom from imperialism. Its essence is also to recall how much suffering people had undergone during the British rule. For celebration of an achievement it is the past performance that is normally evaluated. But if we look at our beloved nation, it does not seem so. Increasing casteism, communalism, corruption, terrorism, atrocities against women and communal riots, etc. have been occurring in our society and the people responsible for containing these crimes and evils and maintaining law and order are seen more often than not violating the laws.
On this occasion the government tries to convey a message to the common man that that the citizens of the country are free and this is something to celebrate. But it is never mentioned that the country has yet not reached the heights it should have achieved after more than six decades of independence.
Progress has different interpretations. Breaking the shackles of slavery and becoming a sovereign nation is progress, emerging as one of the fastest growing economies in the world is progress, IT revolution is progress, that some of the richest persons in the world are Indians is a sign of progress, and moving towards a mission to the moon is progress and so on.
But what about not making new researches on required medicines and vaccines, no breakthroughs in different spheres of science, not providing accessibility to quality education for the common man, not uplifting the poor and continuing red-tapism and bureaucracy? And it is better not to talk about poverty and non-improvement of road transportation and electricity and water supply, etc. It is unfortunate that these issues always take back seat in our country.
Logically, only a nation that overcomes its short-comings and clears all hurdles in its path tastes success. But hardly any major concern India was facing 60 years ago has been solved completely.
Our Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, who happens to be a prominent economist, says India will become a superpower in a few years. How can a growth of mere 9% GDP per annum be called the yardstick to determine that India will become a superpower? If we look at the countryside, this claim will sound baseless. A majority of our farmers still use primitive method of cultivating with the help of bulls and buffalos. Most of the houses in rural areas are still made of mud and thatches. Dung-cakes and wood are the fuel of cooking. Rural schools can hardly be called schools. Appointed teachers are also in want. Most of the children have not seen a computer, the Internet, etc. There are no public toilets in rural areas. Over 60 per cent of its population is still struggling for basic needs and amenities. Millions of children are malnourished. Health care is poor, millions are out of school. Overall, the benefit of economic boom has failed to reach the mass, and still millions of people are coerced to live on less than Rs. 40 a day in Independent India.
Corruption has engulfed bureaucracy. We have learnt to leave the human tendency to fight for the right and are satisfied with what we have been ‘blessed’ by ‘them’. We are happy to bribe the officials but not ready to set the wrong right. Eve-teasing, molestation, communal riots, fake encounters, etc. are the order of the day and we are satisfied that it is endurable. Why don’t we call a spade a spade? Why don’t we fight for the truth? Today, we proudly, and of course we ought to, celebrate our Republic Day. But could it have been possible if our forefathers would have settled less than independence? It is the day not only to rejoice our freedom but to pledge and fight to build a great nation our forefathers truly dreamt of.
Let this Republic Day be dedicated to introspection and realisation. Let us focus on the goals that need through scrutiny to fit in today’s version of independence.
Today we are not the ruled by anybody. Hence we should examine ourselves and see how we, as a nation, can achieve our national goals. If it does not happen, each Republic Day celebration will be nothing more than a ritual.