Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav- An Era Of Freedom And Progress

By Dr. Arpita Subhadarshinee

From our mesmerizing landscapes to our rich heritage, from unique culture and diverse history to joyful festivals, India is a gorgeous amalgamation of traditions, languages and people. Being a multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-religious society, India has seen a steady progress in various spheres over the last century after being free from the slavery of 200 years of British on 15th August 1947.  India is currently celebrating its seventy-five years of independence where Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav is being observed to celebrate glorious history of its people, culture, and achievements.

India, the golden sparrow, always believed in “Unity in Diversity“. Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the former president had a vision for India 2020, in which he visualized India as one of the most advanced and developed countries of the world. 

After 25 years from now, India will be celebrating its 100th anniversary of independence in 2047.  This will be the landmark year to look at India through the prisms of development, growth, gender, equality, employment and peace.

India’s age old unique and incredible civilization speaks of unity is strength where the Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Muslims, Jains, Christians, Jews, Parses etc., live together in harmony, trust, love and brotherhood. It takes it pride from its 1.3 billion citizens who can have different perspective about life, religion, economy, politics, and yet belong to one nation, Bharat. 

India is a secular country which boasts about its constitution that guarantees all its citizens the freedom of faith, right to freedom of expression, right to speak different languages and livelihood. India’s great historical heritage signifies its dynamism and optimism.

India’s cultural strength and political unity makes it the world’s largest democracy. Belief in spirituality, conscience and tradition are the important virtues. The leaders of the Indian freedom struggle Mahatma Gandhi, Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad and Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel united made the fight for freedom a success.

With the world’s second-largest population belonging to various ethnic groups, the greatest virtue of Indian culture has been its power to tolerate against challenges. Despite the invasions and rule by the Britishers, the oneness of the whole nation despite its diverse caste and race stood with its moral and spiritual values that strengthened India’s struggle and forced the British Empire to free India from their captivity.

 We have “RAM” in RAMZAN and “ALI” in DIWALI. How can religion divide us?

The difference in opinion, way of life, faith and religion is its strength and pride not weakness. 

 “Ask not what your country can do for you — rather ask yourself what you can do for your country."- JOHN F KENEDDY

The empowered youth from diverse backgrounds like food to fashion to finance are the forerunners of assessment, awareness, action and advocacy for sustainable development. They are the main stakeholders, policy makers, powerful resource in handling responsibilities, revolutionizing fellow men and a catalyst for change being the change you want to see in your country

The simplified definition is an act of simple living with high thinking and intent on not harming environment and preventing as much harm from occurring to the environment. It is far beyond just good urban planning or stricter codes or just turning off lights or proper garbage recycling – it’s about changing the mindset of how we live. 

Sustainable development is an overarching paradigm of the United Nations. This concept was described by the 1987 Brundtland Commission Report as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations.” Thus, it envisages a future agenda that balances the four pillars i.e. social, economic, cultural and environmental objectives. 

Through a wide process, UN Sustainable Development framework consisting of 17 Goals and 169 interlinked Targets within these Goals are framed in an ambitious, pragmatic and concrete way to renew and integrate efforts to meet the national and global aspirations in a defined time frame by 2030. The vision involves social sphere like gender equality, education and health, economic issues like growth, infrastructure and sustainable consumption, environment through climate change and peaceful partnerships for sustainable development.

The youth is disproportionately affected by the world’s challenges. Gender inequality, poverty, illiteracy, terrorism, unemployment and pandemics are a concern. Some 3,000 young people are infected with HIV and other diseases each day. Young women face violence and discrimination. Various environmental challenges such as climate change, solid waste management, deforestation, global warming, political instability, degradation of ethics, rapid industrialization, unplanned urbanization, inability to employ costly eco-friendly technologies, lack of awareness are the problems in the developing countries like India. 

 “No one knows better than youth, the issues at stake or the best way to respond. That is why I am calling on young people to speak out – and urging leaders to listen.”  - Ban ki Moon

It’s the dire need to tackle these huge challenges by promoting the rights and aspirations and increasing the participation of youth in decision making. 

“Give me just one generation of youth, and I’ll transform the whole world."   - Vladimir Ilyich Lenin

Mother India, a young nation, has 250 crore arms and 200 crore of those arms are younger than 35. They are brought up with the ideology of Gandhiji - “Be the change you want to see in your country” to make India a strong and self-reliant nation. 

Youth act as critical thinkers with their energy, voice and actions. They have the capacity to identify and challenge the existing powers and expose the barriers to change. Being good communicators to their peers and communities at the grass root level, they make people aware and knowledgeable of the goals for active transition from MDG to SDG. They are an effective force by suggesting alternative concrete solutions through right to vote and encouraging people to advocate change in the political decisions. Youth voice matters!!

The dream of a ‘Green Prosperous India’ relies heavily on its empowered youth who are responsible social actors with the focus on “education for sustainability and not about sustainability”. Environmental practices like Swacch Bharat Abhiyan, green initiatives like “Each one, plant one”, environmental Camps such as CLEAN-India, Namami Ganga Plan and Ganga River Basin Management Plan and youth forums like Youth ki Awaz aim to reduce consumption and eliminate waste.

Organising events and intercollegiate competitions with posters, slogans and informative skits and promotion of such events in social media and Raahgiri with observation of Earth Day and Environment Day can engage the society. “Each One Teach One” program where each student imparts Disaster preparedness and eco friendly strategies to mitigate climate change to at least one individual of the society. 

Youth activism bolstered by broader connectivity and social media, exposure to technology and instant communication has made the world a global village. This offer an accountable platform for sharing knowledge and eliminating pandemics. The electronic transmission of government services like The Digital India campaign, portals such as ‘mygov.in’, Chai Pe Charcha  has brought government and citizens closer by educating the older generation.

Former President Dr. Zakir Hussain stated that, “Youth form the vanguard of the nation, which when properly channelized shall be instrumental for the development of the country”. With youth, comes vibrancy, and optimism. Yet a failure to invest, can lead to energy turned in destructive rather than constructive directions.

INDIA OF 2047 can be envisioned by the following criteria 

1) CLEAN TOWN

Swacch Bharat, the cleanliness drive program, Initiated by our Honourable Prime Minister, aims to make India clean by 2nd of October 2019 marking the 150th birth anniversary of Bapu with mantra of “NA GANDAGI KARENGE, NA KARNE DENGE” (neither litter nor let others litter) has evoked a massive change in the country’s outlook and citizen’s attitude. 

“Sanitation is more important than independence. I will not let anyone walk through my mind with their dirty feet.” - Gandhiji 

• Devote 100 hours per year (2 hours per week) to voluntary work for cleanliness following the path of Shri Narendra Modi and ensuring others to devote too. 

• Use of 'SWACHHATA' app, a GOI initiative and portals like The Digital India campaign, ‘mygov.in’ and Chai Pe Charcha for addressing the Civic-related issue using our smart phone

• A mandatory Percentage of the city should be allotted for plantation.

• Bio friendly mobile toilets should be made at important junctions like bus stops, parks n markets.

• Making education Smart through e-attendance, e-homework, e-Syllabus targeting paper free n bagless education.

• School should add Green Practices as a subject encouraging habits like planting trees, using Bicycle and motivating people regarding solid and liquid waste management.

• Bollywood’s initiative in the form of movie named “Toilet” highlighting the problems of rural women due to open defecation is highly appreciating 

GO GREEN :

• The dream of a ‘Green Prosperous India’ relies heavily on the focus on “education for sustainability and not about sustainability”. 

• Environmental green initiatives and camps like “Each one, plant one”, CLEAN-India, Namami Ganga Plan, Ralley for Rivers, and youth forums like Youth ki Awaz should be implemented.

• Organising events and intercollegiate competitions in schools and colleges with posters, slogans and informative skits to inform them in a more engaging way rather than through textbooks.

• Promotion of such events in social media and Raahgiri with observation of Earth Day and Environment Day. 

3) SMARTER CONNECTIVITY:

• Broader connectivity, social media, technology and instant communication has made the world a global village. This offers an accountable platform for sharing, identifying and challenging the existing powers and exposing the barriers to change. 

• The government services like The Digital India campaign, portals such as ‘mygov.in’, Chai Pe Charcha has helped in educating the older generation.

• Smarter towns can help in developing smarter villages by e- services selling their Organic vegetables, handicrafts items (Veggie Cart)

• Building of free wifi hotspot places at multiple locations in the town.

4)SMART TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS:

• Every citizen wants a good quality, cheap, fast and pollution free transportation. 

• The sustainable public transportation system by city buses, trams and metro rails should use CNG in their vehicles. 

• The public bicycle system that is easy to use yet very healthy should be encouraged. 

• A stringent rule should be made to use public transport at least 3/4 days a week.

• Extra green credits and wages to employees using cycles or green bikes must be given.

• Implementation of road, rail and air connectivity in the state

5) SMART WASTE MANAGEMENT

• Every city generates a million of e-Waste like discarded TV, Computer, Smartphone, battery etc posing threat to human health.

• Recycling and reusing in an ecofriendly way without harming our ecosystem should be establised.

• Smart sorting techniques of Degradable, Recyclable n Totally Waste items to prevent time and cost.

• Gas supply should be supplied in pipelines and not cylinders.

6) SUSTAINABLE ENERGY RESOURCES:  

• The state government has identified the natural resources. So it is necessary to implement successful programmes to harness the natural resources .

• The local government should target for establishing solar panels in every household making solar energy as the chief source of energy.

• Solar Power Panels should replace Mobile telecom towers run by Diesel Generators and must be made far from Hospitals, Schools etc 

• Power supply cables should be made underground avoiding accidents, minimising space and reducing costs of installation and making the city look spacious and Wire free.

6) At indivisual level : Charity begins at home.

• Keeping own house and surroundings clean by using dustbins and planting trees around the house. 

• Awareness regarding use of toilets for defecation 

• Personal hygiene by hand washing and discouraging spitting.

• Donating extra food without wasting it. 

• Avoiding non biodegradable products or plastic. 

• Using Public transportation. 

• Teach Children about Cleanliness and Sanitation. 

How we visualize India of 2047 will determine our revolutions we will adopt over the next twenty-five years making it a powerful and self reliant country.

We need to join hands so the spirit of unity invokes us and get involved in rebuilding the new India of our dreams. 

TO SUMMARISE-

India where 

Poverty and Illiteracy are history,

Education becomes the priority 

Agriculture and Health work in symphony, 

Women and Children live in harmony, 

Wildlife, Heritage and Technology live with integrity

“Swach Bharath, Swasth Bharath, Shresht Bharath, Samrudh Bharath”

By Dr. Arpita Subhadarshinee