Today, August 15, 2020, is Independence Day, and we are celebrating 73 years of freedom. Yes, the Independence Day is inextricably linked to freedom from British colonial rule. The word ”freedom” comes from an Old English word ‘freodom’ ― a state of emancipation, liberty, or free will. Freedom gives us the ability to act or think without restrictions. In both politics and ethics, freedom is recognised as one of the fundamental universal rights of humanity.
While the word freedom has connotations that are more personal, independence refers also to group activities. It is about self-government and self-support and refers to the fact of not depending on others or another. An old English word for independence was ‘selfdom’.
Independence or freedom is, indeed very necessary for our growth and upliftment. Those born after India’s independence in 1947, often take the freedom that comes from being without the shackles of foreign rule for granted. They can neither imagine the plight of Indians under British rule nor the exhilaration of being free from it.
When I met Maulana Wahiduddin Khan Sahab at his residence in Nizamuddin, Delhi, on May 5, 2018 to present him copies of my book, How to Create Miracles in Our Daily Life, in which he had written six articles, he said, “On the midnight of August 14-15, 1947, I felt like my feet had grown wings and I was flying freely like a bird in the sky. I have never ever been so happy and excited in my life like that night. It was the happiness of freedom.”
Yes, freedom and happiness are linked together and feed on each other, as much as peace and happiness are hitched with each other, like inseparable twins. But for freedom to be real, effective and meaningful, there are some preconditions that need to be met. There are certain factors that inhibit and restrict freedom. When these creep into our society, 73 years of sustained freedom can disappear in a jiffy.
When there is fear, there is no freedom. Where there is inequality, there is no freedom. When the poor are getting poorer and the rich richer, there is no freedom. Where there is discrimination, there is no freedom. Where there is conflict, there is no freedom. Where there is division, there is no freedom. Where communities are categorised on the basis of numbers, there is no freedom. To put it more simply, when a free India goes by labels of majority and minority, there is no freedom.
From my name, Oswald Pereira, it appears that I am a Christian, and, therefore, from the minority community. That’s how my brothers and sisters from this great country would generally identify me. But nothing could be further from the truth, which is not always what it appears to be. I am neither a Christian by practice nor from the so-called minority community going by numbers. I neither practise the Christian faith and rituals nor do I fit into the straight-jacket of a member of the minority community.
Yes, I do believe in Christ. But that doesn’t really make me a Christian. Christ was not Christian, but his believers called themselves Christian. I believe in Sri Krishna, too. But that doesn’t make me a Hindu, because Krishna never called Himself a Hindu. His followers, though, call themselves Hindu. I have no quibble about that, because that’s the freedom they have and have had, before and after Independence.
In my childhood, my school days, my college days, in my working days and now in my retirement years, I always felt a part of the whole of India, my name and the religion that I was born into, notwithstanding. I never ever felt in the minority ― nor did I feel it necessary to join the so-called majority ― because I was always accepted, the way I am. I have always felt a sense of happy belonging.
This feeling of belonging to the whole, rather than a number called the minority or the majority, is the real meaning of freedom. This is what a free India is all about ― a kind, compassionate and all-inclusive nation of equal men and women and children.
Oswald Pereira, a senior journalist, has also written eight books, including The Newsroom Mafia, Chaddi Buddies, The Krishna-Christ Connexion, How to Create Miracles in Our Daily Life and Crime Patrol: The Most Thrilling Stories. Oswald is a disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, and practises Kriya Yoga.
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Lovely article Oswaldji !
True freedom comes from being equal and feel part of nation one is called citizen of. When we give other things more importance than nation or people around us, we feel separation and alienation. Freedom comes from our attitude also.
Yes, Neeta Ji, true freedom comes from being good citizens, living in harmony with each other.
Gr8 article.In the bible it is said that we have been saved by grace thru faith in our lord jesus not of our own works and deeds lest we take credit for the sacrifice jesus did for us.This is a truth that had set me free from the fear of death too.Happy Independence day
True Lionel. We must always give credit to the Lord and banish our petty egos to enjoy real freedom.
Nicely written from heart.
We are eternally free.
The demarcation of our existance does not make us free.
When we rise to a a state, you call, ‘happy belonging’, we touch the boundaries of freedom.
Happy independence day Oswald ji
Thank you, Manas Das Ji. True, we are eternally free. And no one can take that freedom away. Happy Independence Day.
Indeed, that’s what freedom is. To be free to be whatever we are, human, irrespective of caste, creed, religion, gender. And when a nation is free, enough and equal opportunities should be available for all, irrespective of caste, age, and gender.
True, Jasbir. Equal opportunities for all, makes a nation free.
You are really a true indian… A fantastic person to admire. . Jai ho bhai ji.
Thank you, Rajkumar Bhai
Nicely written . I totally agree. Patriotic feelings does not depend upon whether one belongs to the major or minor group. It is independent of our identity . It is a natural instinct which arises out of love for our motherland.
Independence is not depending on others for ones happiness . Independence is no burden of external factors bogging one down. That is the reason why independence becomes a sensitive issue sometimes.
Independence has to be judged with rights and duties. If we take we also are obliged to return favours in whatever way we can . Whether we are from a major or minor group doesn’t matter if the conduct truly reflects one’s patriotic feelings .
Our religious identity is secondry. When the futuristic vision involves dissolving international borders and people become citizens on earth we should rise from narrow vision .
I am sure a balanced equation will resume after rearrangement and adjustment.
“This feeling of belonging to the whole, rather than a number called the minority or the majority, is the real meaning of freedom. This is what a free India is all about ― a kind, compassionate and all-inclusive nation…”
Yes Oswald ji, this is the real flair of insight which tells about the sensation of the original blessing of freedom, the realm of universal justice, the domain of equality we all have come from.
Oh God! Please wake up us all to that state of being where we can transcend all dichotomies and conflicts, all kind of division and fragmentation so that in an all inclusive culture becomes cultured my Nation!