58 years of independence
Many people have laid down their lives for the freedom of this country called India, dreamed to make this a better place. Unfortunately you see the same poverty , unemployment, no shelter, no clothing , the promises made by the ruling government made prior to elections time and time again never being fulfilled ,even then the people live in hope that someday things will improve,I often wonder what a price we have to pay to be free ,and then I sometimes wonder what is the meaning of freedom,are we really free,if given a choice of being free and starving or a slave with a full belly what would we choose,being free fills the politicians belly being slaves fill our bellies what do I do, then again I think what exactly is this freedom I am talking about,I am governed and controlled and regulated by the government and their policies,by arrogant,threatening policemen, by tax authorities who decide how much I can spend and save, by society wanting me to conform to their norms and practices ,by religious bodies, who take away my savings in the name of God and religion,to help the poor and needy, only this time they take from the needy to give the needy ,I am asked to record births,marriages and death in their register and pay the fees, even though the government does not acknowledge those registrations and ask for government registration ,for all this duplication of work ,cost me money and time and creates confusion in my mind,I try very hard to satisfy so many masters,does’nt this still make me a slave in a free Independent country,I think it does ,only this time matters are worse,I am a slave with too many masters and an empty belly,I have the freedom of speech but no energy to do so, I have the constitution to support my rights,but no money to ensure them,I am a slave in a free country.