What you can do for the country

On August 15, 2020 we celebrated the 74th anniversary of our Independence. Because of the pandemic, there was no celebration, no cocktails or lunches or dinners except with immediate family members. The main ingredient of all celebrations, the Chotta Peg, was conducted within the family and largely in isolation. There is little fun in drinking alone. But it had to be done. One went to bed satisfied that one had performed his or her duty towards the nation.

 Ask not what your country can do for you

On Friday, January 20, 1961 almost 59 years ago, John Fitzgerald Kennedy the 35TH President of the United States stood before an audience of several thousand to deliver his inaugural address. The speech was a call for all Americans, and people of the world, to unite, to sink their differences and to support the initiatives to make democracy a government of the people, for the people and by the people. The operative part of the speech, which even today is remembered and quoted, came at the fag end of the address.

John F Kennedy said "So, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” To the citizens of the world he said,” My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.” A call to action for all people to do what is right for the greater good.

Kennedy said America was the first to revolt against the will of greedy men He said   Americans are the heirs of that revolution with the duty to uphold and bring basic human rights to all human beings

India’s Struggle Non Violent

India’s independence, like the American one, was gained against the will of greedy men. A golden goose which for almost 200 years was exploited for its natural wealth, Britain was in no mood to give up its hold over the country. Winston Churchill is reported to have said in 1942 “I have not become the King's First Minister in order to preside at the liquidation of the British Empire.”

The Indian leaders had to face several odds the most exhausting being the holocaust caused in the immediate aftermaths of the partition. Across the country and particularly in the areas bordering the newly created nation of Pakistan streams of blood flowed as Hindus and Muslims clashed. It goes to the credit of the Mahatma and leaders like the country’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Maulana Azad and many others who led by example and brought calm and tranquility to the embroiled country.

Freedom and independence was won through non violent agitation and yet thousands of Indian, belonging to all castes, communities and religions lost their lives to achieve independence so that future generations lived in a free and independent country, masters of their destiny. The freedom fighters, who participated in the struggle, did so to ensure that their future generations would taste freedom and live in a free world.

In Kohima, capital of Nagaland is a beautifully maintained war cemetery which carries the following inscription: "When you go home Tell them of us and say, For your tomorrow, We gave our today." Much in the same manner freedom fighters expect the present and future generations to remember that they gave up their “today for our tomorrow.” This is a sacred gift which every India should honour, preserve and cherish

We owe it to the memory of these selfless freedom fighters to ensure that we as citizens of this free and independent nation build on their gift. We need to strengthen the freedoms we have inherited so that our future generations continue to enjoy the fruits of freedom and independence. 

 Ask What You Can Do For the Country

If ever there is a time to rally to that call, it is now. We have a government seemingly with no soul, no moral compass, empathy nor concern with the problems confronting the average wage earner, women, or minority groups. We have an administration that has over the past few years substantially defiled and defaced the democratic institutions built by successive administrations to guarantee justice to the people. Over the past months, there have been several instances of violation of basic freedoms guaranteed by the democratic Constitution arising from acts of commission. 

All this, while we the citizens have watched helplessly and with fear. We have allowed the onslaught on our rights, guaranteed in the constitution, without even a murmur of protest. We have failed in our duties and responsibilities, as citizens, not only towards those who sacrificed their lives for freedom and independence we received as a gift, but also to our future generations, our children and grandchildren

A citizen is one of the dominant pillars of any country It is only when citizens have both rights and responsibilities can Democracy survive and function effectively. Rights and responsibilities go hand in hand in whatever home, society, state, or country we live in. One of the necessary attributes for citizens is courage and fearlessness to fight for their rights, and those of others.

Democracy, government by debate

Democracy is government by debate, by active participation of the people and the accountability of elected representatives. In order that self government works citizens have to be able to hold their elected officials accountable. The responsibilities of the citizens does not end after he or she has cast his vote it continues till the government he has helped to elect fulfills its responsibilities to the people and the nation.

 The time has come for all citizens to recall and follow the ideas that inspired the struggle for independence. We need to help in building a just society and a united nation with freedom, equality, non violence, brotherhood and world peace. If we remain conscious of and committed to these ideals, we will be able to build a democracy that has a place of respect and dignity for all sections of the Indian population. To uphold and protect the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India- it is one of the pre-eminent national obligations of all the citizens of the India.

In a recent issue of The Economic Times T.K.Arun, in an article headlined: On Independence Day, it is up to Us, the People, to uphold what the freedom movement strove for. He writes    “Democracy is a living force that exists outside the government, outside the Constitution and its institutions. That is why democracy survived the Emergency, which suspended many democratic rights. 

 “To give that force vital energy and to strengthen democracy, We, the People, have to exert ourselves as citizens, not petition any organ of the state. It is up to us, people, to realise the ever distant goals of the freedom struggle”

This article first appeared on Hamara Noida blog at https://noidasmartcity.blogspot.com/