Independence Day,Is it?

Time 12:30 pm,

Day- Wednesday, August 15, 2012

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“Happy Independence Day” were the chants one could hear all around. Television shows were broadcasting what was supposed to be, that is, lives and state of our soldiers and were honoring them. Well that was the scenario and it occurred each year without a flaw. But is that all??

As an individual I was warned three days in advance not to step out of the house on this “NATIONAL HOLIDAY”. Since morning I have been watching TV, listening to devoted songs and significance of the day. But is this we are supposed to do??

Being a youth and a college student I am full of that passion that one is to have in our age. But I guess all in vain. Then I saw a remarkably moving movie as I was swapping channels on TV and realized how unpredictable our life has become. The movie was about the terrorist attack of November, 2008 in Mumbai. Watching it was not sake of time pass but a realization span for me. Every year we witness innumerable events that shake the very soul of our existence. Every national significance day is to be celebrated like national festivals. Isn’t it? But in reality what happens can be seen on TV’s, schools and of course at red fort.  Yeah, yeah I know India is a third world country which is progressing at a fast pace with its GDP’s and NDP’s increasing like the population of the nation. But what of the individual beliefs about this day?? Today, in India our lives have reduced an unimportant issue. According to some people (not blaming a particular caste or creed) lives in India are cheaper than the rate of potatoes and tomatoes.

I do not know what significance does 15^th august has on other’s lives. But for me this day has been a revolutionary one.  Most of us return to the humdrum life again the very next day. Often we are so busy extending and making fuss of our petty issues that we forget that life is hard on many people and all we need is to take a look around and thank god for whatever we are blessed with. For us, a fight with our pal, not having the latest brand, suffering from electricity cuts, not having a boyfriend, a breakup, a dispute with the landlords, boring food, hectic study schedule is like the end of the world. But we hardly realize that for some losing a son or a beloved one, working hard to secure two meals a day, fighting hard from a disease to live a few more days, begging aside a road handicapped just for that little infant who needs food to grow up. Have we become that selfish?? We are so obsessed with our lives that we hardly pay attention to the realty.

Today, sitting in my room alone I realize and am jotting down whatever is coming to my not so mature mind but just writing down stuff is not enough. A ‘CHANGE’ is required and that’s the need of the hour. Maybe tomorrow I do not even pay attention to these thoughts but all I need to do is maintain that consistency. So next time we go for a movie, or have a MacDonald’s burger, or buy a ray ban shades, or satiate ourselves with temptations and fulfilling our conspicuous demands, all we need to do is taste the world around and cater to needs of those who really need us. I know all of us non income earners, and so called BEGGARS of our worlds. But a little sacrifice of our snobbish items will help us in getting lifetime happiness. Just ponder over it. If you skip one of your delicious delights at Gianni’s and help out a kid with his basic meal, or buy books to those in need and teach children in need and sparing some time for them would not be that much of a burden on us. All it would give is a lot of happiness and blessings indeed. I believe that we are not at all selfish creatures on earth. Yes I agree that we pay extra attention to ourselves and forget others but a regular reminder would do. So from now onwards we should do our little bit, not to show how great we are but to enjoy this phase of life. “HUMANITY” is what we need to implement. I know we can’t be politicians and start our own NGO’s but as I said a little bit and we are done.

I am not kind of persuading all the youths to do stuff but just making them aware of the whole scenario. After all its we who are to make the change. Just a little amendment and the world will be a happier, secure place to live in.

“IT IS NECESSARY TO HELP OTHERS, NOT  ONLY IN OUR PRAYERS, BUT ALSO IN OUR DAILY LIVES. IF WE FIND WE CANNOT HELP OTHERS, THE LEAST WE CAN DO IS TO DESIST FROM HARMING THEM.”

Written by- Manvi Soni, B.Com Hons.