"Azaad” somehow this word gives me more kick than “Freedom” … I always feel that I am “Free” but yet I never felt that I am truly “Azaad”. I am an individual who was born in Free India. Is this the reason that I never valued what came free-of-cost to me and was easily accessible to me than many more who had to struggle to get it.
How it would have felt when India was free on the midnight when people kept their ears close to the radio breath heavily and couldn’t smile.
It was a much awaited dream coming true. The time when Nehru announced freedom of country, a wave of exhilaration filled up the hearts of each and every “free” individual. Coz now he got what he has been fantasizing since long, the liberation from any rulings or the thought that he was conquered by anybody.
Little did he know that the age old trappings will continue to chain him. Little was he prepared for the social structure which will never accept any changes. Little did he for see that with economic advancement there would be no societal progress.
‘We’ live in free India, with a bunch of rights provided by our constitution. Yes I recollect some of them reading in my “civics” book. But I would still want to stick to just one “Right to Freedom”
To freedom of speech and expression;
Are we actually ever heard,? Do we ever get justice? Police stations, courts, and hierarchy everybody seems to be deaf, The Victim is never heard. Though we continue to speak as a free individual, the speech goes a waste.
But yeah somebody is using or rather misusing this right for sure. The Media constituting of the news channels in majority. A “breaking news” gains importance in comparison to mental torture. To create a slot in this competitive world they might go to any limits. To the extent of analyzing the situation and putting up silly Qs like” How did you feel when you saw the dead body” or “What was your reaction after being raped”. And they continue to rape this Right of speech and expression day in and day out.
To assemble peaceably and without arms;
Without arms? The amount of illegal weapons carried in the rallies and sabhas by the netas and their bodyguards is mind boggling. In fact I won’t be surprised that attendants of a single rally may possess as many weapons as not possessed by armed guards of whole country. But the problem is that we only accept that part of the rule which is convenient to us.
To form associations or unions;
Now that’s something India has an expertise in, for finding solutions to a problem, put in a committee, raise a union, go on strike. Though it does not matter that the right is being misused and it harms more than giving a solution.
To move freely throughout the territory of India;
Free....lolz...considering the hiked petrol, diesel rates, air fares and train fares...I guess we need to be back to the bullock carts.
To reside and settle in any part of the territory of India;
And then yet go through the red tapism of getting a new ration card, gas connection, electricity connection, fill up the pockets of local officers and think that was much better off in the old destination. Not to forget that the local tax guy needs to be befriended too.
In fact not to forget, the latest trends of States like Maharashtra not allowing entrants or residents of particular States.
To practice any profession, or to carry on any occupation, trade or business.
You bet, after the pressure of parents to become an engineer or doctor, or maybe joining the family business. We just realise the hazards of license if a professional, or a permission from Government to carry on business peacefully . All we get in form of excise duty and sales tax officer is harassment. Our profit has a percentage share with them and we work on their fancies.
