Gandhi Jayanthi!!

As India celebrated 139th birth anniversary of Gandhi, few questions keep popping into my mind.

• Do we really know the history of this great man or the country?
• Have we really understood the sacrifices he has made to earn freedom for the country and pay gratitude for his efforts? Paying gratitude does not mean just hoisting a flag on his day, distributing sweets and playing the anthem.
• Are we inculcating in our children about this man and thus forth the history of the country?

I would wager the answer is NO. India might be on its way to become a well developed nation in terms of technology and economy, but the truth is we are already far from our culture and history. Apart from Indians, I have seen no other citizen criticizing their country without having done anything for the country. Alas, this is a great shame on us. I feel like we have lost the values that our ancestors had. The legendary saying “Ask not what your country can do for you: Ask what you can do for your country” had almost been forgotten by today’s generation, not just today’s but for the past 50years I would say. We effortlessly blame the government for this and that whereas we don’t take the responsibility for anything. I remember a kids program telecasted here in the US wherein the head of the house keeps posting complaints about the road in their city and all he receives is “Will be taken care of” statements. After several attempts and getting annoyed with these statements and delay, he decides to stand for the Mayor election himself. Once he nominates himself for the post, he starts receiving phone calls and letters and personal visits, not to wish him for the election, but about various things that needs to be repaired and fixed. Now he’s gets really fed up, starts empathizing the Mayor’s job and realizes it isn’t that straightforward to be a Mayor and there are other issues at priority than his own. He also understands everyone should take care of their own community to the extent they can to have a better living place and decisively withdraws from the election. He also forms a committee and becomes the head of it to take care of the community. This is a sweet story for kids wherein the emphasis is “we should care for our community/city/country”. What a well said story for the kids? Do we have these kinds of stories/programs for kids in our country? All we have is Sakthimaan and Power Rangers which are dangerous for them.
I feel it’s high time, that the younger parents and the younger generation should take an oath to themselves, to cultivate the habit of respecting our country, history, culture and ancestors who have struggled for the freedom of our country. This cannot be just an oath, but should be a practice/living in ourselves. This way we can make sure we give a healthy generation in all terms for the country and no doubt India will become a VALLARASU NAADU by 2020.
Jai Hind!!