Today I was thinking what to share with you all on the eve of 64th Independence Day, and while swinging with my thoughts I went back to memories of my school days. It was then, when I loved participating in school parade, and top of it was the test before Physical Trainer to get selected as parade leader. That itself was alone to fill me with pride and feel special when I used to shout at top of the voice “Parade daayein dekh” before eminent chief guests.

I still remember preparations on the day before, washing white uniform so hard to make it new again, polishing black shoes so tight to see my face in them, iron my school ribbons, to get two small Indian flags for school, setting up alarm of exact 5:00 a.m.(never again). And on Independence Day, to wait eagerly for Auto, after entering in school premises and hearing “Deshbhakti Songs” deciding that I will do something great for my India.

Those were so special, innocent and true feelings. I miss those moments because now I have learned that we are still not free, we are bounded in our thoughts, actions & reactions.

What happened? What is missing? What actually means being Independent? Am I alone fighting back my old feelings or you also feel same?

And answers I got from Udaipurites went like this:

Himanshu Agrawal, 21: Student, Insurance Advisor

In my views, actual independence has a different meaning. It’s not about freedom from British government, but it’s about freedom from prevailing corruption. It’s not about building the mesh of highways, but it’s about connecting the 70% of rural population to the mainstream. It’s not about opening of multinational banks, but it’s about saving poor from sahukars & all those who put them in a debt till death. It’s not about “Rakhi ka swayamwar” & all those shows, but it’s about insuring that there will be no “Balika Vadhu” in our country. Finally, it’s not about “I”, but it’s about “WE”.

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Aditi Jain 21yr old, Software Engineer/ B.Tech

Independence Day for me is a day to pay regards to all those people who gave and are still giving their blood and sweat for the life we are enjoying right now. Since we do not participate at least we can respect. We thankless people don’t do it every day so it’s like a reminder for everyone to thank them at least once in a year.

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Sahil Thakur 19yr old, Bachelor Student

This is our Independence Day. It’s a time for celebration of the birth of our country and to know about who and what we are today. It’s a time for remembering the past and honoring the present as well as anticipating the future.

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Parth Singh Saini 22yr old, Software Engineer

Are we really celebrating Independence Day or we are actually celebrating “Independence from British day” only. I really doubt if we have achieved the freedom our freedom fighters fought for. How come we are independent when Women are still unsafe in India, thousands of Child Labors are still working, Researchers still find India unfit for their growth, people are still comfortable being divided into Caste, State, Language and Religion, and the biggest of it majority still don’t believe in Democracy (40-45% votes only in elections) !

Was this the freedom we fought so hard for? I think our actual “Independence Day” is still to come….

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Nagma Khan 24yr old, HR Manager

Every year when Independence Day rolls around, I get reminded of several things, how lucky I am to be an INDIAN, and the freedom that come with this privilege, the women and men who over the decades have fought and died to maintain that freedom, and the Declaration Of Independence.

Yes, to me, the Declaration Of Independence means that I live in a country where freedom of speech is still protected, my right for assembly is protected & We are so fortunate to have been born in this country. I am truly proud to be an INDIAN.

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Varun Shrimali 22yr old , Pharmacist

I personally feel that independence is the most expensive commodity we own. Independence Day is a festival of whole country regardless to religion, caste, creed and gender which unites people together despite of all differences between them. So in all, we should respect our independence and make best use of this expensive commodity that we own.

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Now comes your turn, I would like to know what Independence Day means to you?? So, drop in your comments.

In between, Happy Independence Day!!!!