Celebration of Independence

Like most countries in the World, once again everyone in India will be celebrating its Independence Day.

Being an Indian, this day brings up nostalgic memories of my childhood. Depending on the available means around that time, my father would buy new clothes for me for the occasion. If for some reason, his humble budget did not permit then he will still make me and my brothers wear the best ones within the very few available sets, washed and ironed.

My mother would invariably make a sweet preparation. School holiday, combined with good clothes and food and a flag hoisting ceremony in the school or in the building and a blaring loudspeaker on the street playing patriotic songs was a real celebration for a small child who did not know what was truly being celebrated?

Obviously, in those days there were no questions so no answers also.

After several decades of this celebration and deliberation, MIND has started questioning. What is celebration? Why should it be the way it is and what should trigger it?

What is Independence?

Is it the transfer of state of responsibilities from others to oneself? May it be political, economical, ideological or philosophical?

Is it an experience of becoming free from any kind of external controls? Or it is a mere intellectual wish?

Can there be a total freedom from these states of responsibilities or external controls? Therefore, can there be a true freedom from all these constituents?

Or is it a mere valuation by Mind of the altered state? Does it really calls for a celebration in the inner sense?

As NORMAL human beings, we don’t celebrate non-consumption of drugs, non-use of weapons, or anything which is against the welfare of human beings. Instead, we all strive to eliminate them either by action or by volition.

Similarly, should we not strive to eliminate the very constituents which deprived us of our freedom?

MIND rolls over on Celebration…

Isn't Celebration more plural in nature than Enjoyment which is rather personal? Is it not inherently collective in nature because its reward multiplies with numbers? And therefore it generally goes beyond oneself

For example, if I am on a ship which is full of fellow passengers and is sinking. It’s one side has already gone below the water with few people and I am on the side which is still afloat. Can I enjoy that state? Can I celebrate? And if somehow I manage to survive against everyone else on the board will I ever be able celebrate that chance survival?

On the other hand, if I have managed to rescue even few of the fellow passengers, will it not be a better and lasting celebration for every one of us?

As long as a member of my Family is afflicted either by drug, weapons or any trait which is against human welfare and until he overcomes it himself or I help him to overcome it, I cannot truly enjoy.

MIND wanders…..

Can we then, truly celebrate Independence Day until we have helped ourselves and others to remove the very constituents from which we sought Freedom?