Mangalore : India, the largest democracy in the world is celebrating its 65th Independence Day, a Day to rejoice and also recollect the tremendous hard works put in by  great national leaders pioneered by Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, to lead the nation to Independence.

Today, over half a century down the line, India has achieved tremendous achievements and momentous milestones. Its achievements are unparalleled in some fields. It has over the years emerged as an economic power. Its progress in the IT and other technological fields are praiseworthy. The nation has travelled rapidly on the path of development and has seen success in many areas. Still, a lot remains to be done. There is a need for concerted efforts to banish poverty and illiteracy from the country. Improved health services have still not reached a vast population. Today India has a vast bandwagon of working force, right from soldieries, farmers and workers in various sectors who are contributing towards building the edifice of modern India on the foundation of the hard work and sacrifices.

The need of the hour is to convert the dreams of the freedom fighters into reality. Though the world recognizes India’s potential to be one of the major economic powers globally, the problem of corruption is a big obstacle in such a transformation.  The crusade for corruption is long, the momentum set by social activist Anna Hazare which has led to a national uprising a year ago, seems to have vanished in thin air, disgruntling Anna Hazare himself, forcing him to disband his team. Reports of Anna team planning to take a plunge into politics finding no other option, is disheartening.

Similarly, the country is also faced with the need to go in for a second green revolution in agriculture. The problem of soaring prices of food can be tackled efficiently only by increasing agricultural production and productivity. The nation has young men and women who are striving to make path breaking achievements. There is a need to create an environment in the country in which the energy and enthusiasm of the people are channelized into activities of nation building.  The hard works put in by each and every citizen of the nation counts and it is their productive prowess and enterprising zeal which has put India among the front ranks of the nations of the world.

In this age when youth are drifting away from Gandhian ideals there is a need to sensitize the youth on Gandhian ideals. The nation needs to reflect on the values and principles which were in the minds and hearts of those who fought and sacrificed for our freedom. Gandhiji’s thoughts and his life were truly an expression of the philosophy of our ancient civilization in which peace and harmony, non-violence and truth, human dignity and compassion were given great prominence.

India, a mature and a harmonious society, has a rich tradition of learning and a philosophy based on experiences and knowledge of thousands of years. Swami Vivekananda spoke of India as, “the ancient land, where wisdom made its home before it went into any other country”. Ours is a land where religions have taken birth and all religions of the world have found a place. There is a need to take on this legacy for generations to come.

But sadly, some developments in Dakshina Kannada district, particularly in Mangalore in the recent past, have been a blot on Indian democracy. The recent moral policing incident at Morning Mist Homestay wherein some self styled custodians of culture barged into private home stay and attacked the partying youngster s, cannot be justified by any count. Every individual has his or her freedom but it does not mean unrestrained freedom. There is the law and the law keepers for those who break the rules and the law does not permit any one take it into one’s hands. The moral policing has raised question marks.

The incident has certainly cast a dark shadow on the Independence Day celebrations. Still, there should be the hope for a better tomorrow and the hope that such incidents would not repeat in the peace loving region.

Let us celebrate the 65th Independence Day with the true spirit of nationalism and patriotism.