Happy 60th Republic day but retirement is not in sight

Finally India has turned 60 as a republic. In many culture, especially in India, this is considered the age of retirement - when the old men and women can play with their grand children and enjoy the life. Though it does not happen in reality and a large population have to work till they die. Where this republic is heading? To rest or to work a long way.

A large number of people got involved in the freedom struggle however only a few could understand the meaning of freedom and republic. People of India, and for that matter rest of the world as well, were used to living under the rule of Monarchy. So why they revolted and what should have fascinated them to die for independence? I think the answer lies in the idea of equality and civil rights. They could understand that after the independence they would become owner of their own destiny. They must have not been looking for the right to choose their MPs and MLAs but far beyond that.  They must have be looking for freedom and not independence. This is why the Independence day (15th August) is less important than the Republic day (26th January). India as a republic gave, at least theoretically, that freedom what people wanted.

However, sadly, the freedom could not be passed to the people who desired and needed it most. Most of the people living in villages, tribes, hill men, could not see the benefit of 'freedom' even after sixty years. Three generations have passed in the same situation where they were before the historic day - 26th January 1950. They used to pay taxes and hope that the Zamindar, the DM, the sahib would safeguard their interest that rarely happened. Now, they are bitten up, killed, prisoned, by their own army, police and officers. Who should they complaint now? These are their 'own' people. They are supposed to work for them, with them and not exploit them. There are many examples - killing of innocents in Jammu and Kashmir, North East states, Naxal affected areas, suiciding farmers all over India.

With so many turmoils in the country and far from equal rights, can this nation retire at sixty? Perhaps, not. It still need to work hard to transcend benefit to all. The hope, not only the wish, that that day would come inspire us to say Happy Republic day. That would be the day when this nations would be able to take retirement and observe its children (citizen) to play, giggle and enjoy in the environment offered to them by this nation.