Independence Day- What it means for me

Every Year 15th August comes and comes with it the news that its a national festival, national holiday, shops and business establishments are closed and almost everyone is in a mood to relax and enjoy the holiday. The official celebrations are at the RedFort New Delhi, with the Prime Minister unfurling the national flag and addressing the nation. Every state in the nation has its scheduled programmes, TV & Radio play patriotic songs and show films on love for the nation and some social welfare schemes are launched with immense enthusiasm. But, my mind asks me-- That's all and nothing else? What you have done to participate in this festival? What you have done to honour and preserve the freedom of the nation? Have you stopped someone from spreading communal hatred through provocative speeches, from asking to clarify one's religion before offering a hand in friendship, from passing irresponsible comments aganst a community while giving opinion on an event or a tragedy? Or More commonly- from spitting on the road, from not sitting on the floor of the metro, from sitting on the ladies seat, from smoking in a public place? What have you done at your end to make people realize that our own convenience can become a matter of inconvenience to others? What have you done to redeem the sense of duty that you had while you studied civics during your school? The list of duties that are there in the constitution, do you remember them? or are you simply obsessed with the list of your rights? The Duty to maintain the unity and communal harmony of the country? Have you contributed towards that end? If the answers to such questions are a big NO, then you have no right to enjoy the freedom given to you by the blood of the countless known and unknown freedom fighters who gave their today for our tomorrow which is now our present. Let us all take a pledge to make a difference in our own small ways and reinforce the feelings of unity and brotherhood in all our minds and hearts, without thinking that what can a common man do in his own capacity. Mazhab Nahi Sikhata aapas mein Bair Rakhna, Hindi Hain Hum, watan hai, Hindustan hamara!, Jai Hind. Aaiye, Kasam Khayein ki iss Desh ki Ganga-Jamuni Tahzeeb ko Barkaraar Rakhenge!, Mazhab ke naam par Dilon ke beech diwaarein nahi Banne denge! phir Chahe hum Rahen, Ya Na Rahen!