Modern India @74
What a journey it has been, the Journey of India becoming Independent…
It all started with the arrival of the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama in 1498, and the first English trading post being set up at Surat in 1613. The decline of the Mughal Empire in the first half of the eighteenth century provided the British with the opportunity to establish their rule. The first rebellion has started by Puli Thevar in the southern tip of India, in the late 1750s. Large-scale rebellion against the British East India Company was in 1857 and 90 years of struggle and the leadership of Gandhi, India got its independence from British Rule.
With the growing younger population who step out to achieve their goals and in search of meeting their aspirations, a platform is set by a decisive, determined leadership of the country, for realising the dreams. A country of rich cultural heritage, fine arts and traditions can give a lot to the world. New Vasco da Gama’s would land in this country to learn and get enlightened. If we go by the way our warriors have stood up and tackled COVID pandemic, sure there are not many miles to go before we achieve our goals.
Happy Independence Day.
Freedom is never dear at any price. It is the breath of life. What would a man not pay for living?
Mahatma Gandhi
200 years to conquer and take control
100 years to get liberated
What a journey it has been
The Journey of India becoming Independent
It all started with traders exploring India, with the arrival of the Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama in 1498, making the beginning. In about a hundred years, the Dutch and English established trading outposts on the Indian subcontinent, with the first English trading post set up at Surat in 1613. Over the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, the British established their supremacy. The decline of the Mughal Empire in the first half of the eighteenth century provided the British with the opportunity to establish a firm foothold in India.
While the British were consolidating itself, the resistance has started by Puli Thevar in the southern tip of India, who rebelled against the British in the late 1750s. Large-scale rebellion against the British East India Company was in 1857. The struggle continued and took the final turn under the leadership of Gandhi. 90 years later India got its independence.
Interestingly August 15 is the day when Japan surrendered in world war II.
With India Celebrating 74th Independence Day, slowly the generation who has seen the struggle, herd from people who took part, is fading into history. Unless we take special care, document, narrate to the younger generation, the significance of Independence may turn out to be flag hoisting, lectures, and distribution of sweets and of curse a holiday.
At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom. A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history when we step out from the old to the new when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance
Jawaharlal Nehru
Every celebration is also an opportunity to recall the struggle that went into achieving success. The sacrifices, commitment, and dedication to achieve and the leadership provided. All need to be celebrated, discussed and brought to the knowledge of growing new of this great country.
I slept and dreamt that life was joy, I awoke and saw that life was service, I acted and behold, service was joy
Rabindranath Tagore
We need many more who see their lives as meant for service and act. Seeing all-round progress and bringing that smile on the faces of suppressed, poor and marginalised would be a joy. Recall what Rabindranath Tagore said!
With the growing younger population who step out to achieve their goals and in search of meeting their aspirations, a platform is set by a decisive, determined leadership of the country, for realising the dreams. A country of rich cultural heritage, fine arts and traditions can give a lot to the world. New Vasco da Gama’s would land in this country to learn and get enlightened.
Is in’t it the time, when India becomes “Atma Nirbhar” and demonstrates to the world that it is dealing with a country which has enormous talent, commitment to achieve all-round progress.
The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep
Robert Frost
If we go by the way our warriors have stood up and tackled COVID pandemic, sure there are not many miles to go before we achieve our goals.
Happy Independence Day
Toons: Reema Jaiswal and Chhavi Sharma
Logs: Sai Baba
