Reminiscing our Days as a Republic

Sixty years of being a democratic republic, and we don't seem to have matured at all. Democracy is supposed to empower each citizen of a nation purely for the reason that they are a citizen. I find our citizens, however, choosing to be matchsticks ready to light up at the slightest indication of a flame, and that too, ready to colour their flames to match their source just because - I don't know the real reason.. Is it because it looks trendy? Perhaps they feel important when they participate? Do they feel left out if they don't participate? They get nice pictures though.

We seem to have grown downwards like roots, but, ironically seem to  destroy the roots that keep the administration steady. The calm of the population seems to be upon a razor's edge, ready to slip and fall at the slightest touch. And they're proud to be so. Our sensitivity is at a peak and we seem to be ready to react to the most trivial of affairs, to the silliest of words spilled out by a seemingly important person, to every single move made, or not made by our ministers, why, even our celebrities.

Our country became a chaotic mess long back, and I've always wondered, touching the little wood that's left, of course, as to how we've managed to sustain the peace that exists, still staying at the top of the list of large democracies, and I feel it was because people knew to mind their own business. We knew to respect our leaders - for the post they hold, at least, if not for the person(s) they are, knowing fully well that the government cannot function without the aid of its people. Non awareness of the possibly less intellectual (forgive me for saying so) played its part too, with the foolishness of some raising its despicable head only during elections. In spite of all this, we've been able to pull it through.

The current generation is marked with the advent of social media and its infiltration into every intricate portion of our lives so much so that it seems like we have taken a headfirst plunge into it, to never come out. In the past decade, we have developed gills to get acclimatised to this aquatic life. While this has given opportunities for recognition of genuine talent, providing them with audience from this ever increasing population, thereby not letting them get lost and unnoticed in this anarchic realm. On the darker side, however, social media has given microphones to the most pathetic of voices, amplifying the gabble of idiots and even providing them with listeners, even followers who are flexible enough to let themselves be swayed by their nonsense.

The heavy magnetic field of craziness we live in eventually induces its field upon every soul which dwells in it, sucking our every last ounce of sanity left and rendering them all oriented towards the twisted directions it points towards. Even the most sensible among us go by the outcry of angry tweets and offensive memes, falling for the loudness of their voices, no matter how senseless their claims might be.

Such immaturity and childishness cannot be the result of a change in medium of communication - it can only imply that we have been foolish all along. Our silence has tricked us into considering ourselves to be rational. I regret the unrest that is rising, the narrow mindedness that is spreading (ironically, yes) and the outbreak of this political epidemic of pointless loud-mouthedness upon this great soil, but perhaps it is a positive sign after all. Perhaps it is a sign for us to retrospect and deepen our roots.

For starters, each citizen of this country should begin to realise that we are, indeed one country. Yes, we are a place where even the people of the smallest minority feel at home - they consider this land as home as much as any other world, but we need to take another step forward. We must defend and take pride in every single aspect of Indian culture - we must embrace the literature, the art, the language, the beauty of every single region of this country. Oh we needn't spend years learning about it, but the mention of it must fill us with pride and a sense of belonging. Let our spirits feel that every grain of this soil is ours, and that our hearts beat as one no matter what our differences are. Let other people sit and argue as to whether we deserve to be one country, but politically there's no denying it. We are one country as much as Pakistan's states aren't ours. Our citizenships speak for us.

Logic isn't half as effective upon humans as examples are - we are indeed descendants of the monkey clan. So let us step in front as role models for the future generations, holding hands and breeding peace and unity opon the completion of this 67th year as a Democracy!

Jai Hind!