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Events
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New
Delhi, 19 August 2021
Independence 75thYear
THEME SIGNIFICANCE
By DrS.Saraswathi
(Former Director,
ICSSR, New Delhi)
India is starting its 75th year of
independencewith a mixture of great expectations and disheartening disappointments
amid lot of hopes and despair and still looks forward to building a new prosperous, progressive, and inclusive
India. It is an occasion for self-examination of our achievements and failures,our
strong points and weak spots, and identify internal and external obstacles.
“Arise! Awake! And Stop Not till Our Goal is
Reached”, should bethe lesson to follow. The
roadis already tough and is growing tougher with unforeseencatastrophieslike
Covid-19 pandemic, climatic changes causing frequent natural disasters, and
politicaldisturbances in nearby countries affecting us without our involvement.
What we have built in 74 years of
independencemust be protected and what we dream for future must be realised.
The responsibility for this rests on the shoulders of the people of Indiaand
not just on the government as some are prone to think.
The theme of this Independence Day is “Nation
First, Always First”. Why we have to remind
people of India to keep nation first after 74 years of freedom and
sacrifices of several great men and women in varied fields to achieve that
freedom and while working a vibrant democracy
echoing people’s voices through different media, and winning several
world records and achievements to be
proud of is a little perplexing.
Why isthere a doubt that nation is not first in the minds of
people and they have to be inculcated? Perhaps doubts rise from people’s expressed
aspirations, open utterances, and considered action inconsistent with national
interests. There are people occupying seats of power for whom, their State, their
language (mother tongue), their religion,
and their community are dearer than the nation which comes last.
This Independence Day theme sounds different
from that of last two years. Atmanirbhar Bharat” or Self-reliant India that was
the theme in 2020 and “Support our Troops, Salute Our Troops” which was the theme in 2019 denote a call for
positive action. Significantly,2018 theme “One Country, One People” was a reminder
for unity similar to the theme of this year.
In 2015,
a specific programme of action, Swachch Bharat was chosen as a
serious mission in our country. It was labeled “Towards True Freedom” – freedom from dirt, squalor, and
garbage. It specified some other freedoms also -- freedom from financial
untouchability (Jan Dhan Yojana), Freedom from Illiteracy for Girl child
(Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao), Freedom from
Archaic Labour Laws (Sharam Dev Jayate), Freedom from being Unfunded
(PM Mudra Yojana).
It is interesting to note that the theme
adopted in the USA for 2021 Independence Day celebrated on 4th July embraces
the importance of patriotism and brings forward to highlight the heroes
of the past. It seems that globalisation that brings nations closer and closer
economically has given rise to the need to awaken national spirit that every nation, rich and
poor, has to cherish for its progress
and prosperity.
South Africa also, which celebrated its liberation
from colonial rule and the oppressive apartheid system on 27th April
chose its theme appropriate to present days as “The Year of Charlotte Mazeke:
The Meaning of Freedom under Covid-19”. The Government of South Africa emphasises continuing vaccination programme
and the fight against the virus. Despite making remarkable progress after
independence, the country is facing massive inequality, poverty, and
unemployment that block the way to national unity and social cohesion.
“We dare not forget the terrible past, nor
forget the sacrifices made by patriots to ensure our democracy and
freedom. Our history aboundswith
sacrifices made by patriots who paved the way for a democratic and free South
Africa”, stated a government communiqué.It is true of India also.
Charlotte Mazeke was a human rights activist
who fought against political and other forms of
oppression along with her associates about 150 years ago when such
defiance was sternly put down with unrelenting force.The choice of the theme confirms
that there is a growing need in many parts of the world today to recall the
sacrifices of past heroes particularly those who fought for freedomfor the
benefit of present generations and to rekindle patriotic spirits
apparently subduedunder material
progress.
South Africa, interestingly connects Freedom
Day celebration with the message of unity in diversity. It is considered as the
day to enforce a change in the attitude of people towards the unique and
diverse ethnic, cultural and national background to inspire the people to be
innovative and build a better South Africa together and excel in all aspects of life.
This country reminds us to move towards Goal
16 of the Sustainable Development Goals, that is, “Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions”.
Sri Lanka celebrated 73rd
Independence Day on 4th February with a theme “A Wealthy Tomorrow: Prosperous Motherland”. Freedom
heroes were also remembered.In Mexico,
where freedom anniversary is celebrated
on 15th September, the tradition of raising the cry of patriotism
is followed with enthusiastic cry of “Viva” (long live) by people.
Freedom Day celebration is an occasion for
conveying to the entire nation the
message of unity in diversity
for all. It is a day to unite despite differences, and to feel the common sense
of Indianness. The celebrations aim at
inspiring people to be innovative and determined to build a new India that will
stand united by thoughts, deeds, and aspirationsand cherish its rich diversities as the wealth of the nation and
not as hindrances to its unity.Faith in one’s religion need not make us intolerant of other
religions; pride in the richness of one’s language need not deny to ourselves opportunities to learn
other languages; State borders
need not mean the limit of our
concerns.
In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also
declared that August 14 would be observed as
“Partition Horrors Remembrance Day” to acknowledge the pain and losses undergone
by Indians due to the 1947 Partition. He said the day would remind Indians of
the need to “remove the poison of social
divisions”. This declaration, along with
Independence Day theme of putting the
Nation First aims at strengthening the“spirit of oneness, social
harmony, and human empowerment” which have to be the essential characteristics
of our nation.
Will August 14 also act as deterrence to
internal partitions? Even divisions of States within the country are not always
smooth. They arepreceded and followed by series of problems as in the
North-East Region or even Andhra Pradesh
and Telangana.
This year’s Independence Day theme in India is
addressed to formation of our priorities, and to conditioning our thoughts and actions. It is
day to celebrate “tricolour with liberty, beauty in diversity, unity in differences, and
brotherhood of the largest democracy in the world”.Five specific themes chosen
under this are Freedom Struggle and Ideas, Achievements, Actions, and Resolves.
Globalisation is not going to bind the world
together emotionally.It is also not intended to strengthen unity within a
nation. We have a new task to ensure that globalisationgoes along with
patriotic sentiments, national interests
and needs. ---INFA
(Copyright, India
News & Feature Alliance)
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