Autobiography of India: In Peace and Pain…
In 58 years, I have seen countries applauding me. Some called me an ‘Impotent State’. People, who had questioned my very survival, now want lessons in how to build and run a democracy efficiently. I am a nation where everyone wants to be today.
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IT HAS been 58 years since a few good men turned me into a Republic. It was at this time that I took my first step towards becoming a nation – a nation in the true sense ready for its assignation with destiny. In these 58 years, I have seen peace and I have seen pain. I have seen saints being born but also the rise of tyrants; the journey has been tough but not short of excitement.
I was branded as a failed state even before I was born. It was believed that due to my diverse nature I would not be able to hold together and collapse as soon as the British left India. But 58 years later, here I am standing proud as the largest democratic republic in the world. I am being admired by people all over the world for the progress that I have shown since becoming a Republic. Ask the other superpowers of the world as to how were they struggling at this time?
When the first general elections took place here in 1952, pundits had believed that none of the people had any sense to vote. With 85 per cent voters still illiterate it had seemed to be a big gamble. But Nehru believed in the power of democratic free and fair elections. And fair they were. Every time India would go to polls thereafter, some or the other journalist would warn us saying that it would be the last election. But haven’t I proved them wrong? Many questioned me when women were given the rights to vote. Had I not taken that step, would we have seen an Arundhati Roy, and a Bachendri Pal today?
I have bled in wars several times in the past. On my right I have a nation, which I have never trusted, and on my left I have a country, which backstabbed me in the past. When I have cried for peace I have met with war. My soldiers have had to resort to war whenever a foreign hand has wanted to take a part of me. It is appalling but both Pakistan and China want me. The Pakistanis want Kashmir and the Chinese are laying their claim for Sikkim. I have already suffered from the repercussions of partition twice in the past. I cannot face it again. I can’t see another arm being detached and given away to someone else.
I have seen emergency being declared, I have seen assassinations of my prime ministers. I have seen the most brutal riots taking place in my most loved cities, all in the name of caste and religion. I have seen blasts, incursions and terrorists striking my children. But I haven’t given up. I have stood for peace and growth. I believe in growth that is inclusive, which carries with it the poorest of the poor and the rich likewise.
But, in the past few years, I have witnessed a golden era. The economy has grown at a break neck pace. Foreign institutions all want to feature in this dream run. With my sons and daughters making a name for themselves abroad, the whole world has stood up to acknowledge the power of a billion plus nation.
The Commonwealth games of the Queen have finally arrived here. My missile repertoire and my nuclear power is enough for any other nation to think twice before they think of waging a war against me. I have given birth to leaders, statesmen and individuals of such talent that they are considered a genius in their own fields.
As I stand here before you, as a conglomeration of races, castes, religions, ethnicities and languages striving to be the global superpower, I need my sons and daughters to stand up and deliver. Gone are the days of survival, now is the time to rule the world.