Happy Independence, or is it non- dependence? (Part -1)

As we mark the 15th of August, we allude to the most important date in the Indian calendar after the personal milestones of our lives.

Yet, there is difference in how each one perceives this day and the celebration of it.

It also becomes an aspect of contention, while the complexities, the context and the convenors are singled out while people take a side and justify it from their point of view, while the very ethos of what a nation, especially India stands for is defined by the diversity, the respect comes from the fact that there is unity despite diversity.  And in that regard, we need to acknowledge the power of humanity in its full glory here in India. But it doesn't mean we can ignore certain truths and certain realities which require realignment if we have to forge a resolute and resilient nation that is poised for great times ahead. 

The fact that India allows for such divergent viewpoints in all aspects and fields is a testament to the strength of its nationhood, the constitution and the continuing ancient beliefs, traditions and practices.

However, amidst all the differences and dialogues, the threat of deflection from the very axis of our existential edge in terms of cohabitation and collaboration takes a back seat and becomes conflicting.

There is little merit in vilifying or deifying the past players without fully understanding the context.  There are so many factors that went into creating a common narrative and some do seem forces, contrived and highly contentious, and as we stand at another inflexion point in our long-standing history, the current problems, the current situation demands a strong appraisal of  everything in the light of facts and unbiased research as a search for the truth and as a long due, yet essential quest to know our past and appreciate our present and to know us better.

Having such a diverse and distinct lineage, at least from a human ethno-social perspective, entrenched in an amazing mix of cultures, traditions, conflicts, concepts and stark geographical contradictions, that we are called a sub-continent, yet we stand as an eclectic mix of almost impossible divergence, interestingly converging into a confluence continuum of various vibrant vignettes that is both colourful and awe-inspiring as a civilization and nation.

As in all long journeys, the ups and downs are the inevitable truths that define our history. The fact that we have had a tremendous as well as a tumultuous past cannot be ignored, and within the ebbs and flows of a dramatic shoreline where every causeway hyphenates a dynamic path where they have been trudging along to scale the heights of human endeavour, span the entire width of pursuit in every topic of interest and delving the deepest for exploring the possibilities of human mind trying to carve the path for human progress while being at the helm of human imagination and enterprising indignation towards purposes beyond martial and material conquests, which by itself is the greatest tribute to India as a nation.

Inevitably, we had to endure the tests and ravages of time, the illustrious past has seen some glorious achievements in all fields, some inglorious lows at certain times, and embarrassing gaffes coming from such a great nation, but these were only aberrations while the norm was aligned towards humanity.

This supposition doesn't come from jingoism, but rather as a realisation after assessing what we were actually capable of based on factual evidence, there was no way the treasure hunt of India by the  religiously motivated marauders nor the endless commercially motivated European conquests could have ever survived the onslaught of a combined Indian force, if our forefathers had stood as a unified front, not only due to the size of the Indian populace, but the sheer abundance of skill, talent and technologies that was available to India at all times compared to the rest of the world and the fact that Indians communicated with each other and have had long established languages both written and oral where every aspect of proficiency and edge in all conceivable fields was present in the most emphatic manner here be it Agriculture, Architecture, Arts, Commerce, Administration, Literature or Philosophy, and the all-important Science, Medicine,  Lifesciences, Cosmology, Math, Astronomy, Martial Arts and the advanced Technology and thought line that pervades all fields and disciplines, and most of which are so inexplicably advanced that modern observers assign it to Alien Invasion and Assimilation when it comes to such grand aspects and features in India.

The only reason there were significantly low periods dotting the amazing human graph of humanity's best and greatest achievements here is the lack of unity and the betrayal of cause, thus losing out on purpose.

So, as expected, the fallout has been in many forms but the most telling is that of dissonance leading to violence or systemic oppression due to domination and discrimination. 

It was not resolved as there was no platform to engage on equal terms, especially when it comes peaceful co-existence it requires mutual understanding, and when it comes to maintaining peace amidst external oppression, it requires unification of resources and people to put a united fight, rising above the limits and differences for a larger, more imposing and imminent danger and that’s exactly how the brave and selfless millions joined together and fought in order to overcome the multi-fold threats from so many fronts, thus culminating in the successful retreat of the British Crown which epitomised imperial oppression at its worst here in India.

This 15th of August 2023, marking the Independence.                                                                                      How does one see it today ? 

Is it a happy day or sad day ? How important is it?

These are things to ponder.

Arjun

Jaihind