THE GOLDEN SPARROW

Another INDEPENDENCE DAY. The day when the flag will be hoisted in the society compounds. Patriotic songs will be played, mostly from manoj kumar’s movies. Uncles will gather in the park and will talk about what all is wrong with system. Some will discuss business. Kids will play around. Aunties will gossip. then it will be time for community lunch. After that INDEPENDENCE DAY is officially over. The flag will be folded by afternoon to be kept in RWA’s office to be taken out on 26^th JANUARY.

It makes me wonder what the true significance of this day to us is. I need not to say what all our fore fathers did to get independence. But do we appreciate it….??? I seriously doubt it. NETAJI SHUBHASH CHANDRA BOSE said, “the people should be kept under military rule for at least 10 years before establishing democracy. Otherwise the coming generation would not know how to behave in a democracy.”  The great man was absolutely true. Because of the fact that the coming generations got the independence for free they could not appreciate its value. Bashing the government and blaming the system has become a common practice. It makes me wonder what should be our role in this independent democracy which we got for free.

Mostly we are content with abusing the government. At most few people will go to India gate with candles in hands and slogans blasting from their mouths. They will make facebook pages supporting ANNA HAZARE or Baba Ramdev. They will put up status claiming they are firmly against corruption and all. All these things are good. They do hold some value. Collective marches, spreading message through social networking sites, supporting a noble cause all these are excellent gestures. But do they hold some real materialistic value..???? if 1000 people go to India Gate with candle, what good does it serves the nation. I agree it sends across a message that the common man is no longer at the mercy of system and government must show accountability, but does it produce any tangible benefit to the nation other than benefiting the shop selling those candles…..????

Many great thinkers offer many great solutions. I am no match for their analytical capability or their vision for our nation. But I have few solutions which I would like to share. At the very first I would like to say, it’s not about generating jobs, or up liftment of poor or long term planning for the country. They are just simple solutions which we can easily implement. And I guess they would be helpful.

1)      first up, the most difficult of them all. Make it compulsory for everyone; apart form those having special physical needs, to serve in military for at least 6 months. Because the problem with the people is they lack discipline. If after 64 years of trying they still can’t implement self discipline then it’s time someone taught them the discipline. Disciplined youth, with the kind of talent which we have, along with the physical fitness which military will inculcate, can do wonders for our nation.

2)    The government schools are mainly plagued by the lack of teachers. Make it compulsory for every graduate to do at least 300 hours of teaching in government schools before they get their degree. Appointment should be done by the MLA of the area, so that no lengthy procedures are invovlved. Finding 300 hours [in 3 years for normal graduation, 4 years for B.Tech and 5 for years for MBBS] is not a big deal. Provide certificate for it and make it mandatory. Teaching basic language and maths should not be a problem for people doing graduation. There are ample breaks during college time and if anyone wants, he can easily find time.

3)     Now some self regulatory rules. As a youth we have tremendous potential. The college in which we are studying may be not as good as MIT, USA. The teachers may not be as good as Prof. EINSTEIN. But because of the very fact that we got a chance to pursue studies, it should be our responsibility to make sure that we gather as much knowledge as possible regarding our field. Someday or the other we will need it and it WILL help our country.

4)     Lets be punctual guys. Its almost a crime nowadays to reach class in time. Although we are seldom late for our dates. But then there are guys who are late for that also. Whatever be the occasion, if anyone is waiting for us it ultimately cuts down the productive time of the nation. There will be odd days when we will be late, but we must make sure they are rare occurrences.

5)     And lastly, let’s be responsible for ourselves. Just because we are from a well to do family and need not worry about our future, it does not mean we should just indulge in enjoying the pleasures of life. We get only one shot at life. It’s not feasible that all of us will be somebody famous. We are common people. Let’s take pleasure in each other’s happiness and share each other’s sorrow. It will make this country and the whole world a better place to live. There’s a quote used by doctors, “ it’s a miracle that human beings are living. Because there are so many ways to die that we don’t even know of”. the world is already a difficult place, lets not make it more difficult by pulling each other down. Share a smile, share a simple hello. It will feel good.

Enough gyaan. If I say anymore I may be sued by babas..!!! that would be a bad thing…! From this Independence Day let’s try to make our country a better in small installments. Beware, that many people will laugh at you if you are punctual. The writer ( yours truly..!) have endure many ridicule for his enthusiasm of attending class that too on time. Most will say whole country is doing it why wont you. I am not asking you to become some sort of torch bearer for moral values. Just don’t succumb to the mal practices that are rampant. Because as Dr.APJ ABUL KALM said,  In the end the question is, how do you want to be remembered in history….

JAI HIND.