"If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed
just one."
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the
person nearest you."
--
Mother Teresa
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Are
we a true Republic?
Article
By Prem.
Republic
Day 2003 came and went by. India, my country, is still
standing strong. Poverty, famine, communal riots, corruption
and social negligence have tried to shake Bharat's
foundations and yet, united we stand. Our head held high,oris replica
our chest filled with patriotism and our deeds far noble
than any other. Each Indian has propelled this country so
far in 55 years of freedom that we are advancing at par with
most other developing and developed countries. But, India
has hit the crossroads. The crossroads, where each path we
take will lead to different places, different ideals and a
different vision.
We
took an oath when we became a Republic. A Republic is a
state where the will of the people comes first. Where
religion and state will NOT mix. Where truth will be told,
honored and enforced. Where progress will be in the hands of
the common man and not the elite few. Where freedom is a
right and not earned. Where human life is valued as supreme
and not treated as a commodity.
Having
said that, lets reflect on our dear country once again. The
India I see today is not a Republic. It has the exterior
shell of a Republic in which many are ruled by some using
threats, deception and lies. A ruling party that has very
strong leanings to fanatic religious sentiments.panerai luminor gmt replica An
opposition party that wishes that it had such leanings and
tries subtle methods of aggravation. Arm twisting and open
denial is the accepted norm of truth. While the common man
starves to death, the chosen representative lives a high
life. People are bought and sold like cattle in a dust
filled marketplace. Human beings are killed for slaying
animals while there are animals living within our law and
order system.
Fifty four years of being a Republic has changed our
country a lot. We have sprinted ahead on Information
Technology but still running at snails pace when it comes to
education for the poor. We have built Inter-Continental
Ballistic Missiles to defend our country and have failed to
provide protection for minorities and the backward classes.
We have the world's largest agricultural output but famine
has starved infants to death. We excel in our work and
brilliance but fail to correct the problems of our
governance. We sweep our houses every day and yet throw our
waste on the roads. How many of us ill-treat our
subordinates? Remember "chottu" the little boy who
hangs around office all day trying to make you buy a cup of
coffee. Or remember that poor woman who works in three
houses to make ends meet. We are so proud of our
accomplishments that we have not stopped to think about
others. And it is getting worse. When we were little, I
remember we used to play in this ground near our house. It
didnࣲoss our minds that my football team mates were
poor, from a different caste, religion or dirty. We played
the game, we played to win. What happens when we grow up? Do
we suddenly start to see all the differences that have
escaped our souls for so long? How come all of a sudden a
Muslim becomes "anti-Indian" and a lower caste
butcher becomes expendable for killing a cow?
Am
I painting a dark picture here, you may ask. Is all lost for
our dear India? Can we ever get ahead with such myriad
diverse opinions and likes and dislikes? My answer to you is
YES! We can. We can become a nation that has no par or
comparison if we do things right. Three things rule our
country now: Religion, caste and greed. Religion where
sentiments are easily invoked and flames ignited in a moment
of passion leaving thousands smoldering in the ashes. Caste,
where each man believes to be of a higher order of birth, is
the lamest excuse a person can find to feel better than
someone else who is not. Greed, when unscrupulous people
take advantage of the poor and needy to make personal gains.
We,
the literate people should make sure that this is changed.
Truth, Equality and Progress should be the foundations of a
Republic. No man, however rich, big or influential should
not be allowed to run the lives of others. The Republic
needs to stand up. The Republic needs to be revived. The
Republic needs You. Are you up for the challenge?
Jai
Hind!
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