The Storm and the Boat
हम लाये हैं तूफ़ान से किश्ती निकाल के ,
(We have navigated the ship from a fierce storm,)
इस देश को रखना मेरे बच्चों संभाल के |
(Keep this country safe, my dear children.)
तुम ही भविष्य हो मेरे भारत विशाल के ,
(You alone are the future of my great India,)
इस देश को रखना मेरे बच्चों सँभाल के |
(Keep this country safe, my dear children.)
Another celebration! Another Republic Day is around the corner. The beautiful patriotic song from the movie ‘Jagruti’ (awakening) reverberates in my childhood mind. I go back to the 1950’s, how it captured the imagination of the entire nation, and played from treetops on every Independence and Republic day. Dressed in our school uniforms, proud to be Indians, we loved the song, though, did not quite fathom the depth and meaning, hidden in those words.
We, children of those days, have since grown up; have our own and also grandchildren. We have been through the grind. The meanings now make sense. Those apprehensions and anxieties still remain but the endearing faith in our children also remains like what the earlier generation reposed in us.
Yes, the struggle was tumultuous; rescuing the ‘Boat’ from the storm of colonial rule. India was reduced from a prosperous nation to a starving pauper in the 200 years of colonial exploitation. India’s GDP shrank from an impressive growth rate of 22.7% to a mere 2.7%. India’s share of global industrial output declined sharply from 25% to less than 2%. India’s cotton was exported at throw away prices to English cloth mills. The finished products were re-exported back to India to be sold at exorbitant prices. The large, strong and richly-laden ship was robbed of its contents and reduced to an insignificant ghost of a boat.
And beyond, lives got divided; children from their parents, brothers from each other, families shattered based on religious silos and for no fault of theirs, A wounded and bleeding Nation, brutally partitioned, took birth. Pakistan chose to be an Islamic country while India became a secular republic. The price of partition was paid by the blood of one million people who died and the curse of fifteen million who were displaced; two countries born out of blood bath. The Mahatma (Gandhi) – killed; falling to the bullets of religious bigotry and hatred. The storms had indeed been fierce and tumultuous.
The task of nation building was difficult but India managed; laid a solid foundation. Sound industrial base needed in the early days, ‘green revolution’ redeemed our national pride. Educational and vocational institutions of excellence were established. We went nuclear and deep into space research; all achieved with our own ingenuity and resources.
Even more importantly, democratic institutions thrived. Elections held at regular intervals. The roots of democracy firmly set. India, with its population of over 1.25 billion has successfully conducted elections to the Parliament and the state legislative assemblies. And the transition of power has been smooth from one party to the other with entirely different political ideology.
The credit for all these goes to all Indians; our scientists, engineers, doctors, planners, administrators leading the way.
What does the future hold for India? A strong opposition and space for dissent are essential for the health of any democracy. An independent judiciary is fundamental. Constitutional institutions like the Election Commission need to be not only completely neutral but appear to be so too. Freedom of media is vital. Religious harmony is crucial to a country like India with so much diversity. What happens in the future will again depend on how the youth of today will be able to ward off onslaughts on our institutions, values and way of life not by foreigners but our own leaders.
The song from ‘Jagruti’ above still holds the key to our future as a country and nation. My generation of Indians have held aloft the mantle of freedom. national pride, and honour for nearly three quarters of a century. The ‘boat’ has grown strong and prosperous once again, but still needs nurturing and care. We too pin our hopes on India’s generation next; youth and children will have to take over the reins and steer the boat forward from where we are leaving. Constant effort and eternal vigilance will always be needed. Now, on the eve of seventy second Republic day of our country, the message of my generation to the next remains the same:
इस देश को रखना मेरे बच्चों संभाल के |
(Take care of this country, keep it safe my children.)
Neerja Rajkumar
IAS (Retd)
Former Chief Secretary,
Government of Karnataka
