Thoughts on our 60th Independence day

It was on this day 60 years ago that India became Independent of British Rule. My wish for all Indians is to become aware of what independence means for you. Does it mean having your own people to govern you? Does it mean having your say in what you do with your life? Does it mean more control and power in your hands? Does it mean responsibility? Please Look carefully, cause your definition of Independence will make the path which will lead our country into either a Nation where self-sufficiency and open-ness to new paths of life is in balance or it will lead to a cheap imitation of what we think we should look like to other nations of this world...Please pay special attention to doing things the right way, cause if the action isnt right then the results/consequences will also not be right. Look at your everyday life, cause no matter who you are or where you live, together, our collective behaviour as citizens will determine the Destiny of our nation. In all the work that we do, we have to remember the 3 d's Dharma(as in what is Good for all), Deligence and Dedication. Take stock of how far our nation has come, question if its headed along a path where the future generations can survive and live well. Visualize the kind of Nation you want it to be. Ask yourselves what is it that you can do within the limits of who you are, that will help it along that visualized path.

Temper your Joy too... in rememberance. For this was also the day that Pakistan was formed into a separate Nation. When we celebrate our Independence we should also remember how it happened. Remember our History - How many families were separated over the borders, how many people were slaughtered in the name of religion and nationhood on both sides, how many children became orphans how many men became single fathers or widowers, how many women became single mothers, widows? how many of those who are from that era carry a scar? Have we done any healing or do we walk in denial? Have we learned our lessons? I know there isnt any Memorial(Is there?) for those that died over an Imaginary Line on the soil. But it bodes us Well to have a Memorial in our minds.

Have a Happy yet Introspective day. For our nation, we can at least do that much.

Peace Always

Mithuna