Happily Independent or Independently Happy ?

As the car came to a steady halt just as the signal turned red, I peeked out of the window. Independence Day was fast approaching and as usual there was this “something special so to say” feeling in the air. To say the least, what I saw completely astounded me.  A street kid was running haplessly from car to car, trying to sell the Independence day flags. He wore a deserted look and seemed as if he had not seen water for many days. The streets of Mumbai greet you with many such faces. We all know it is a huge trafficking racket that’s at play but no one has yet bothered to look into it. Begging has become a multi crore industry. Whatever it be, it is that child’s life that’s at stake. As I shifted my attention to a huge hoarding on the other side of the road, I glanced upon some political statements. The banner read that the Government is responsible for the price rise. I pitied myself for the ignorance our politicians oozed. Certainly the government is not responsible for deficient monsoon. I agree that it can definitely control illegal stocking of food but certainly not be willing to raise the price of dal to Rs 100 per kg. 62 years after Independence this is what greets me. Way to Go !! We still haven’t matured enough to look beyond our petty issues and think of the well being of our nation as a whole. Things are certainly improving but the growth would be accelerated if the people who have public’s faith , speak the right language. To me, I always believe in what Gandhiji said, “ Be the change you wish to See”. There cannot be a better situation to apply this. The signal has just turned green and my journey continues.