A Reflection!

 

A Reflection!

 

Independence is profound. In all truth, independence is a perplexing word to try to define. However it’s absolute nature is a near impossibility. There is no gainsaying that we are all enslaved by nature by some way or the other. The final quest of all life is freedom. This means that life as we know it is not free. We are all struggling from bondage to freedom. What binds us? We are bound by one law or another. What is a law? Any event or phenomenon that repeats is a law. For example, a mango tree will bear a mango fruit. A guava tree will bear a guava fruit. So, by this law humans conceive humans and not any other species.So a break in this law means to go against nature. We have to drink when thirsty, we have to eat to survive, stay healthy to survive, we have to respond to nature's call and obviously obey the doctor when we are ill. Even we are so dependent on ourselves, on our relationships and our beliefs and convictions. Hence we see that this natural dependence is obvious and unavoidable. We have to cling to them without any clamour voluntarily. Then what is ‘independence’ ? What is slavery and dependence?

The answer is a well known fact. By independence I mean ‘relative independence’- the one that is man-made and not a directive of nature. We can tolerate- in fact joyously- the shackles of natural subjugation but we cannot tolerate artificially crafted enslavement. Relative independence is what I am going to elaborate on and emphasize on what I mean by “independence” in this context.

 1947, 15th August, India awoke after centuries of slumber with colourful dreams of a new era of independence. At that very moment the then Prime Minister and a pathfinder of Indian nation gave a very enriching speech amid a packed, august audience. Nehru claimed that ‘long years ago we made a tryst with destiny’ and that the time has come to ‘redeem our pledge’. What was the pledge was he talking about? Did we indeed ‘redeem our pledge’ even after 73 years? 

 

We are all strongly and intricately entwined with the society and its norms. It would be inane to claim that as a social animal we can detach our bondings with the society. Everyday we open the newspaper and are jaded by disparity gory with social inequalities and social evils. But we are immune to them - reflecting the sheer magnitude- and turning a blind eye towards them. The Constitution of India has the Preamble which provides for liberty, equality and fraternity. In a nation  where manual scavenging is still a profession for many, casteism still rampant with many not having access to basic amenities like education and sanitation, we need to ask ourselves what does independence truly mean forget about honouring the Constitution. We live in a nation where women are trolled,  abused, and dishonoured. In a nation where human rights conventions are a dead letter, human brutality is the norm and justice is a far fetched dream, independence is farcical. In a nation where democracy means only vague casting of a vote and at times showy patriotism and jingoism, there’s no room for democratic consciousness and obviously not independence!

Utopia is not possible. However we can definitely go closer to perfection. The genuine intention is an essential ingredient and that is true independence. Only then can Nehru’s words be honoured and Ambedkar’s India rise independently at the social level. 

To modify the society,  we need a modification at the individual level. This is to be achieved by adhyatma. It is a conflation of two words adhi and atma meaning awareness of self. The human body is composed of a complex structure that is made to function by its spiritual dimension- the self(atma). It is the sole source of power and realization of eternity - true independence. We are blind by the daily drudgery and humdrums of life. If we can give ourselves some time, solely in introspection, true independence is felt. We are a microcosm in this vast universe. Introspection helps us to connect ourselves to this eternity and free ourselves from anxiety, fear, depression and all that enchain us. 

Thus, to me true independence is not a burning cigarette between the lips, not a showy hoisting of the national flag to get publicity, not mechanical ‘patriotism of remembering freedom fighters. To me independence is the feeling at the very personal level by introspection, the freedom from all the social evils. Lets not forget Tagore’s mantra of Atma Shakti(self-reliance) while striving for an atma nirbhar India.