We have come a long way

Freedom is achieved when we all come together...

Shreya Chawla, Class XII, St Joseph’s , Chandigarh

Freedom is the ability to act or change without any constraint. But can all constraints really cease to exist in real life? Probably no. British philosopher and eminent political theorist Isaiah Berlin eloquently divides the concept of freedom into two types — negative freedom, implies freedom from any constraint and positive freedom, implies the ability or freedom to choose your action. If you notice, the tone in the first concept is negative — “Where I should not be stopped?”, while the latter’s tone is positive “What can I really do?” that does not interfere with others freedom.

India became a free country on August 15, 1947. We got freedom from the British rule and became an independent nation. We set forth on a path of getting real freedom for our people — freedom from hunger, freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship — as highlighted in our Constitution. But did we really achieve it?

In today’s materialistic world, there is an increased struggle of “my freedom vs your freedom”. The thin line, where my freedom ends and others’ start, is obliterated. The struggle between gender, race, religion, caste, rich and poor is getting more rigid and even violent in some cases. The issues are becoming increasingly irreconcilable and often judiciary is called upon to decide the matters.

On the eve of our Independence Day, we must understand that it is not “my freedom or your freedom”, but is about “our freedom”, the collective freedom of mankind. Only then would we be able to realise the true essence of Tagore’s famous line “Where the mind is without fear and head is held high, into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake!”

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Unity and love for nation are irreplaceable

Bhavya Gulati, Class XII, Bhavan Vidyalya Panchkula

Whenever the word ‘freedom’ comes to my mind, without any doubt it invokes a feeling of love, devotion and a sense of attachment for my country. I love my nation and my respect towards my country is immense.

The nation has struggled a lot, people in past have fought bravely to free this country from the British rule. The nation is respected and loved by each and every citizen. Look at the soldiers who stay away from home, without caring for themselves. They are always ready to save the country at any point of time and also ready to die, but they never give up, because they think about their country first.

It's because of the presence of these soldiers that we are able to sleep peacefully while they have sleepless nights. Whether my country goes through good or bad times, I will always be there for it.

One must understand that the attachment towards the nation should not be shown only for one day when we hoist the National Flag, but it should always be there. True patriots always try to do something for the country. Even if some of them have to settle abroad, they never forget their motherland and keep the culture alive.

Not only our soldiers, but doctors, farmers and all other people who genuinely work for the nation set a great example of being patriotic. Movies such as Uri, Raazi, The Ghazi Attack portray the actual struggle faced by the country and what it took to keep it the way it is.

If our people didn't have unity and love for nation when it was being ruled by the British, it would have been still in their cage. Patriotism is also when you respect and treat every individual with courtesy; no matter how different he or she is, you never disrespect them. Supporting and promoting 'swadeshi' is also one of the steps we can take for the betterment of our country.

Patriotism is about national loyalty where you are ready to live and die for your country. In the end, I extend a heart-filled gratitude and would like to salute all the patriotic people of my country who are working hard to uplift the nation.

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Proud of the history and culture of my country

Harshita, Class X, AKSIPS 41, Chandigarh

It is but natural to love one’s country because it is our motherland, it waters our growth, it inspires us to do our best by offering us unimaginable opportunities and most important of all, I'm a free bird in my country.

My country gives me the freedom to think, it gives me the freedom to do what I want to do, freedom to chase my dreams by providing me all resources.

Everything is here in my India and I am a proud Indian. Proud because we have an enviable history which has proved to be the cradle of so many democracies, proud as I have for my siblings a Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Sikh. proud because unity in diversity is a way of life in my country. Different coloured threads of rainbow colours is what makes the fabric of my India, its rivers, its cities throbbing with life, its intoxicating different cultures ...the list is never ending.

Gandhiji once remarked,“Ask not what your country has done for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

I plan to become a neurologist when I grow up and I can imagine seeing myself helping people out of their suffering. I will try and adapt and altruistic lifestyle so that I can ease the pain of maximum people. This will be my service to my country and my pay back check for making what I will eventually become. Truly there is no place like India to live,to breathe,to grow,to express and above all to fall in love with.