Of free thought & speech

Mona

It’s that time of the year when you cannot miss a tricolour at every crossing, at every chowk of the city. Buying and placing the national flag on our desk or in the car is just lip service or August 15 actually means something beyond a day off? 

Freedom on paper

Freedom is to be able to pursue your dreams. As a young girl who still has to get ‘permission’ to pursue academics or sports, the country’s independence means little to me, especially when compared with my brother, my age, who can be out for five days in a row without inviting a scorn from the family For me, nights are out of bounds! 

That translates into giving up many opportunities that could help me get a better grip on my life. My grouse with men versus women situation in independent India does not take away the gratitude I feel for freedom fighters, who made sure that we are not dominated by another country, another race. In Gandhi ji, I see a shining example on how we can better our lives without violence, which sadly is a state today. If only we could be heard in a civilised manner that befits the largest democracy of the world. 

— Aanchal Sharma, student, Govt Post Graduate College for Girls-42 

Unaddressed issues

I wish independence we got was not just from the British yoke, but also corruption, poverty, gender inequality or unemployment. These are the issues that stop us from taking pride in our country as one should. 

— Tanu Uppal, marketing professional

Slave to the system 

As a young student, don’t many of us feel like a slave to our system? First, its parents who take the call on what profession you chose. Add to it your paying capability and the fierce competition. I don’t feel free in such circumstances. Our freedom fighters fought against an exploitative and oppressive regime. Everyone should be free to choose. 

— Amandeep, student, PU

Respect & dignity

Freedom is not just being free from slavery, but also living a life of respect and dignity. Being born in a free country, we take it all for granted but also with this comes the rider to maintain peace and prosperity, sadly something that we are fast forgetting. 

— Dilshan Dhillon, student psychology

Privileges exceed challenges

As a society we don’t value our country for we haven’t seen the struggle, the slavery. It’s easy to criticise and find faults, but truth remains that we are free to opt for any field, any dream. The youth today has privileges that exceed the challenges. India’s youth that doubleup as the modern-day freedom fighters today have to fight prejudices that plague our society. 

— Saurabh Acharya, banker

Truly inspired 

A free country is where we pursue life as per our liking. My great-grandfather was a freedom-fighter and I spent considerable time with him, though he never shared tales of the valour. It’s Subhash Chandra Bose who inspires me to face the challenges head. 

— Jyotinder Kumar, student, GMSSS —16

Full of gratitude

Together as NGO Tammana, we visited the Jallianwala Bagh Memorial to pay respects to martyrs, who fought against all the atrocities for our nation, and taught us the real meaning of courage. 

— Isha Kakaria, founder Tammana & Tanusiyaa Events