Today is August 15th, India’s Independence Day. As the nation echoes with the chant ” May our Independence Day be everlasting”, starting from midnight on August 14th, every Indian took to the streets, celebrating in their own ways, bringing chills down the spine. India is a multi-religious and multi-lingustic country, where each religion and language group has its unique festivals, celebrated with great enthusiasm. However, Independence Day is different. It is the one and only festival for all religions and linguistic groups residing in India, making it truly exceptional and unique.

The generation that fought for independence is no longer with us, but they have left behind a legacy of freedom and a country for us to cherish. We are fully aware that freedom wasn’t handed to us easily; it had to be earned, with sacrifices made along the way. Indians don’t need to be taught how to love their country; it is ingrained in our blood and soil. Two generations have passed since independence, and we have paid the price for it. That is why we don’t need to be taught  patriotism- it is inherent in us. We belong to the generation born during the nation’s rebuilding phase. Those born in the 1960s are considered the luckiest, as they witnessed the many ups and downs during the nation’s reconstruction, experiencing the gradual changes.

Today, we have increased our literacy rate, are ahead in research, and the world is beginning to appreciate our values, culture, and civilization. The world is now looking to emulate our spirituality and Ayurveda. That is why our generation, which has experienced all this, is fortunate. Our country is eternal, and we wish that our country is not a rented house-it has become  self-sufficient and is steadily taking strong steps towards becoming a superpower. We have now realized our strength. Therefore, let the young nation be celebrated.

:- Mukund Madhukar Hingne