What ‘Freedom’ Means for Five Generations
India has turned 75 years since independence. From being a colonial country to becoming the largest democracy with protection of citizens’ rights, India has come a long way. However, the meaning of ‘Independence Day’ varies from person to person. While for some it is just another national holiday where they can relax at home, for some, it is a de facto historical criterion for achieving national independence. For the pre-independence generation, freedom meant being able to vote, but for Generation Z it meant something else.
Here’s what freedom means to five generations who have seen and experienced various things in their time that have changed their perception of freedom.
Freedom is easy for Srithaja, a nine-year-old girl stuck at home in the pandemic. “I want to ride my kick scooter for hours on the streets without being yelled at by my parents,” she said.
Whereas for 11-year-old Hima, Swatantra is playing basketball in the local community court till late at night without being asked to leave.
Saumya, 17, who is yet to attend the graduation program, says that she has the freedom to choose whatever she wants to do. Citing pressure from family, friends and teachers, she said choosing a course is the hardest thing that she has to do. “For me, being independent is choosing a career path that I love, without judgment.”
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Krishna, a 22-year-old chemistry student, had a disagreement. “Freedom is really achieved when the people of our country stop questioning their practices and take pride in themselves,” he said. His vision of ‘freedom’ is when Indians can adopt their own culture without questioning their identity.
On the other hand, Nikita Deshwal, a 26-year-old corporate employee in Meerut, feels that being free in the time of the current pandemic is like going on a long shopping spree without carrying an RT-PCR test in her purse. Anish, another employee based in Bangalore, says that he has the freedom to break free from the mental pressure that comes from his workplace and home.
Manju Lata, a PhD, 41, said, “I feel that when a woman receives the support of her family to achieve heights in her career without the pressure of taking full responsibility of her children and household, we as a country can grow.” I will achieve true freedom.” D. Graduate who is currently a housewife.
Microbiologist Lakshmi, 46, says, “Even today there are some people who believe that it is bad to have a daughter. For me a free nation would be when all genders are treated equally and given equal importance. “
The notion of freedom for all generations varies with circumstances. “I want my children to have the freedom to pursue their dreams without any security barriers,” says Ramesh P, 54, a realtor based in Hyderabad. He wants his working daughters to feel safe while away from home. That’s what freedom means to them.
Rabindranath Tagore wrote in his novel-award-winning book Gitanjali, “Where the world is not torn to pieces by narrow domestic walls, in that paradise of freedom, my father, let my country wake up.” For him, independence meant that his countrymen were free from shackles and fear – it was to be free as a nation.
Certainly, freedom means different things to different people. But with freedom comes great responsibility. happy Independence Day!
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