Network18 organised a blog writing competition to mark the Republic Day on the topic "63rd Republic Day India in 1950 vs 2012". The bloggers had to describe how India has evolved since being declared a Republic in just 500 words. Some of the best have been featured here.
The third winner of The Network18 Blog Writing Competition: Sharmila Bhowmick
FLASH BACK: January 26, 1950. A landmark year in Indian histoy. A country born a new, India just about begins to take baby steps towards self-rule and self-reliance. With the Constitution of the country framed and the vision of the fathers of Independent India inscribed in its Preamble, India was all set on a road to guide itself to a Soverign, Social Secular, Democratic Republic. There was a lot to be done. A Nation was to be built from scratch. Indians were to be inspired with a whole new confidence to build their lives and to build the country. The opportunities were limitless. It was a year of hope.
CUT TO: January 26, 2012. From the look of it, it is going to be a cheerful day, a happy break and a welcome holiday in the middle of the work week. Agneepath the famous Amitabh Bachchan starrer is all set to release with a new hero- who will say the sames lines, and play the same role, hopefully with fresh energy infusing the character of Deenanath Chauhan with more passion and gusto. I can't wait for tomorrow.
In the evening, there's a small coffee session at home with a bunch of writer-friends returning from the Jaipur Lit Fest, more disappointed than inspired this year with what happened as a Salman Rushdies fiaso fest more than a Literary Fest. They have promised all the gossip. So I can't wait for that too!
What do I deduce from this? If a gathering with famous writers, influential celebrities and journalists, cannot move the state administration to let a Literary Festival be hosted in all decency? If a religious faction can hold sway and perfectly demolish what could have been a memorable literary opportunity for so may budding writers waiting for inspiration?
If the educated and literate youth of the country have to keep paying such high ransom to religious fanatics and suffer at the hands of the political highhandedness of almost everything in this country, why should the apathy of the young generation towards elections and the state of the nation be not justified. If the elections in UP are around the corner and there needs to be appeasement of religious factions and my democratic rights be quelled in the exercise, do I really care about going and casting a vote? Of course I am apathetic. This disgust for The System is personal.
2011 was a year where chaos mixed with confusion and the brew spilled all over. The Common Wealth games, Anna Hazare, Swiss Bank Accounts…worms coming out of cans all over and my head spins to imagine the depravity of our leadership and the depths of corruption that we gloss over day in and day out. Where are we heading? What are we doing? Are we building our nation or are we so wrapped in building wealth that our visions have become so myopic that the long term ramifications of our actions are beyond our grasp. I am mortified.
Where is the pride that a young Indian would have felt on January 25, 1950 to belong to an Independent country with a glorious future ahead? Why the only reaction to the System and our government is one of mockery and disgust?
A fast growing economy a high growth rate, India becoming a young nation and hopefully would emerge a major economic power. It is a part of BRICS. These are great facts; but why don't any of these great developments reflect on the way our people behave, the way our politicians behave, the way we even protest or drive and live? What development if it doesn't inspire the people of the country to become better, conscious, sensitive and considerate. If intolerance and narrow mindedness displayed at the Jaipur fest is a reflection of our Indian-ness. I would rather shy away from sharing the story of the great economic development and magnificent domestic consumption figures. Today as an Indian I don't feel like I'm a resident of a Secular, Democratic, Republic.
So the high point for the day plan tomorrow is that I would go to the movie hall and watch Agneepath. What a fantastic idea to make a whole new film out of the old one and breathe in new insights. That is how classics should be reinvented really. In fact if we were to reflect, the Indian government can indeed take a lesson from Bollywood. Reinvent itself.
On the eve of the Republic Day, as I sit and wonder if Hritik Roshan will be able to do an Agneepath; I also wonder if Manmohan Singh can do a Jawaharlal Nehru. With he be able to match up to he glorious visionary? Will he be able to match up to the spirits of the founding fathers? Can we have new leaders infusing fresh energy into the great words from The Preamble?
I hope we can. I'm a hopeless optimist and I'm a diehard Bollywood fan. It is Agneepath Day for me tomorrow. What about you?
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