Does our independence depend on inner and interdependence?

This is a proud moment for us to remember all the sacrifices, the unspoken efforts and pain this country has taken through years to reach where we are today in terms of progress as a nation as we complete the 73rd year of Independence of India.

We are a secular, socialist, democratic and republic country; enormously diverse, and in diversity we stand united. What we need to remember today is that we are an independent country that is also interdependent in many ways.

Inter-dependency is inevitable in life. Hidden in these inter dependencies is the most important aspect that keeps the society together. A common man in the society is dependent on a farmer for his food, on a tailor for his clothing, on a builder for his shelter, on a manufacturer for a product, on film maker for his entertainment, on doctors for health, on elected representatives for the social benefits etc.

In turn all these on whom this common man is dependent in each of the cases that are exemplified, are dependent on the same common man's expenditure for their economic growth in respective fields.

“Independence is nothing but a reliable inter - dependence, within our own accepted citizenship circle, without any pressure of suppression and oppression from a foreign territory”

 On this Independence day, if we can revisit and revise our perception for our Tricolored National Flag, we may better comprehend these most important interdependencies, that we need to focus on and treat them with utmost and the highest respect.

Saffron indicates sacrifice, selflessness. It is a higher form of courage. Saints of Indian culture wear saffron indicating that they renounced everything. This strong feeling of sacrificing self-interests for a bigger cause, in the nation's interest was not present in any of our freedom fighters, there would have been be no blood shed, no struggle for freedom in the history at all. We need to salute that selfless sacrifices made by them. Even today we are leading a happy peaceful life here, just because of a set of people who are into armed forces. Every moment they live a life far from our society and their families, sacrificing their personal lives just to see you and I are safe here. Here we all are relying on and also are dependent on those soldiers. A big salute to their sacrifice and that courage.

White indicates peace and harmony in the society. The main objective of the majority of sacrifices made in national interest was to establish peace and harmony in the society. As a society it is our responsibility to maintain peace and harmony, cooperate with law and order enforcements, our Judiciary system in our country. All the sacrificing soldiers rely on us, trust us as responsible citizens of India, and depend on a belief that it is worth to sacrifice their lives for us. Thus, there lies an interdependence here. Salute to their trust in us. Salute to all the citizens who strive to maintain the peace and harmony in the society.

Green indicates the Flora and Fauna, that is the Nature and Ecological beauty, diversity and balance therein. Green leaves, green crops, greenery that forms the basis of every greenery, every natural resource that is available on this land must be conserved, protected responsibly. The land we live is not the sole and whole property of anyone. We are just passengers of life on this Earth. We must live and leave this ecology so pleasantly for the future generations to follow the same of life. Unless, there is a bit of sacrificing nature in our blood, we can't show sympathy or understand what empathy is; and set limits for our behavioural patterns related to usage and conservation of natural resources. Let us strive to eliminate carbon emissions, reduce pollution of air, and water, save every drop of water, by means of rainwater harvesting or otherwise, be responsible in maintaining cleanliness by supporting Swatch Bharath like programs. Here again the existence of this greenery depends on our responsible behaviour and our healthy existence depends on the volume of this greenery. Respect and salute this interdependence.

Last but not the least, Ashoka Chakra, the wheel at the centre represents the all-rounded development, 360-degree progress, and equal spread of the welfare and development to all corners of the Nation. Development in every corner of the nation, irrespective of the geographical distances and boundaries. Most importantly, this development should be backed up by the peace and harmony in the society. If there is peace and harmony, there is a scope for welfare and development in the country, else vice versa happens. Think, recognise and Respect this interdependence. Salute to all who contribute to such progress.

Let us all realise that we all are living in dependence with one another, let us all strive to recognise, respect and protect this interdependence and strive to nurture it with individual inputs required from each one of us as citizens.

In addition to that, in this pandemic, we need to abide by the Government's instructions of lockdown, social distancing, usage of masks and sanitizers etc. Every citizen depends on every other citizen for health and in prevention of spread of this pandemic. I salute every such responsible citizen of this country in this context of healthcare inter dependence

So, let me revise, restate and complete the definition for Independence I have stated earlier:

"Independence is nothing but a reliable inter dependence, within our own accepted citizenship circle, without any pressure of suppression and oppression from a foreign territory"

But what if there is no external pressure from any foreign territory, but the pressure is from one's own internal territory?

Don't get me wrong, the subject is neither about the anti-social elements within the country nor about any law and order problem. This is about anti-self elements inside one's own mind, that impede personal welfare and personal development.

As an individual with a healthy and responsible background, a common man strives on his mind, emotions, thoughts, opinions, decisions, and all other natural psychological faculties. This dependence within one's own self is called intra dependence (or inner dependence), and it is inevitable. If there is no harmony inside and there is a terrible imbalance within one's own psychological faculties, that man sees himself a prisoner or captive of his own self.

This is a situation every individual must encounter at any given point of time in life. There is no escape from intrapersonal dependence, but each one fights for independence from such internal disturbances. The solution is nothing but the knowledge, practice of certain skills to gain the lost control over the internal faculties. With this practice one can master his inner potential to work for himself instead of letting it work against himself.

Once this art is mastered total intra or inner dependence within the man, comes to a harmony, until such time no individual is less than a freedom fighter.

This Pandemic issues also necessitated the essential need for psychological strength and the mental balance required by all to deal with emerging new negativity prevailing and incrementing all over the surrounding environment.

We generally remember those leaders and pioneers lead the historical freedom struggle to get independent India. I not only salute that freedom struggle in history, I also salute this freedom struggle for an intra or inner personal harmony from each one of you.

Finally, I would like to tell the future generations and the people reading this article that independence is not only a reliable inter dependence (as i defined it earlier), but also a comfortable, enjoyable intra dependence or inner dependence, within our own selves.

Try to balance your independence, intra or inner dependence and interdependence. Try to be a responsible citizen of this country and for yourself! Jai Hind!