Soul Of A Nation

In matters of conscience, the law of the majority has no place.

                                                                       - Mahatma Gandhi

Howsoever clichéd it may be to write about our nation and our independence on Independence Day, I still choose to write about it on this day. Maybe because I am old schooled. Maybe because I believe this is the day when we all stop and ponder over issues governing our nation like no other day. I will not convey the hundred afflictions that mire our country today, I will rather tell you my desires, my hopes and my dreams which I often see for my motherland. In doing so I will simply ask of my fellow citizens, especially men and women of my generation and the ones who came later than us to endeavour toward a particular few goals. I will talk rhetoric, that which have been sermoned a thousand times before me, for the reason that despite the efflux of time and the burden of repitition they still unchangeably remain the key to unlock the destiny that our great country is made for. 

 .

I beseech you to not take your duties and jobs for granted no matter howsoever irrelevant you may think it is in the running of our nation. Be role models for your successors, no matter how small or big you perceive your jobs to be. Raise your voice against oppression and injustice, notwithstanding your disconnect from any such incident. Live an honest way of life. An honest way of life is probably the hardest one in today's time but if it's lived with conviction and moral courage then one can live with dignity and without any regrets. If each one of us can inspire honesty and sincerity in others by practicing these virtues ourselves then the dream of a just and corruption free society would be achieved without any revolution.

When you choose a path of service to the mankind and a life of truthfulness, you may perhaps not get the credit for having chosen such a noble way of earning your livelihood. This might burden your hearts - but remember – many years from now you will not be judged by the degrees or medals or the glittering materials that you may or may not own, but you will be judged by what you did for mankind. You take on a responsibility above and apart from the rest of society. You accept new obligations, standards, and principles.  In your small yet significant way you would be the defenders of the Constitution, the guardians of our liberty, the advocates of just causes, no matter how unpopular, the protectors of the powerless, the wise counselors of our society—that is what you will end up as one day.

Something within me tells me that a generation of new ideas and talent is about to change the world. We constitute that generation.  I am therefore sure that you will bring about marvellous changes all around. Do so with pride and dignity while ensuring equal opportunity and dignity for all.  I will part by saying that listen to you conscience. I know and trust that each one of our conscience is in its right place.  I believe firmly that no matter how much disenchantment might pervade our minds regarding the state of our nation, there is enough goodness and righteousness around us and if we collectively assert our conscience then the day we dream of, the country that we dream of is not far from becoming a truth. I don't have the slightest of doubt that while you assert what is right, you will perhaps face stiff opposition, overwhelming and large. A surprisingly large number of people may stand against you. That is why I began by quoting the Mahatma's words assuring that in matters of conscience, one need not heed to majority opinion. Go ahead. Do what you feel in your heart is right. You will enrich the soul of our nation. Because each one of us is a breathing part of that soul.