Sare Jahan Se Achcha

59 years of freedom from British rule and India has made some rapid progress. From the mystical and mythical, India today is electronic and spiritual in its own right.
In the last 10 years India has seen development like never before. For the last two consecutive years, the number of unemployed in absolute terms has come down. The fruits of development is slowly but steadily percolating to the lower classes. True India has come a long way but we are still not there.
For all its electronic and It superpower tag, India has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world and it will be better if we don't talk about Internet and PC accessibility. India still has a large vulnerable underbelly which needs to be taken out of the rut.
India has historically been a land of spirituality and dharma. But today the same spirituality and sense of dharma is lost on us. Now it is left for the foreigners to tell us about the greatness of Indian spirituality. We cannot blame the western influence for this situation, for it is we deviated from our core principles. Indian spirituality has always been open to new ideas and influences which strengthen it. But today we are rigid and believe in dogmas rather than the essence of dharma.
We are free from the British rule but we have a long way to go to free ourselves of our weaknesses, free of the divisiveness in the society to become truly secular and free of dogmas that the priests, pandits or ulemmas tell us to follow. Free of corruption, of dowry and other social evils. Free of the barbarian mindset we witnessed a few days ago when a couple was beaten for falling in love.
Only this freedom from fundamentalism coupled with respect for all and economic progress will make us truly Independent. Till such time we don't free ourselves from such evils we will be largely dependent, if not physically then mentally. Much like a society with mirror personality disorder or reverse narcissism.
As Robert Frost said 'The woods are lovely, dark and deep. But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep'.
Only then will we be able to sing 'Sare Jahan Se Achcha, Hindustan Hamara'.

Originally published on 8/15/06