Proud to be an Indian
The Indian republic has turned 61 today with grace and dignity intact, she stands tall. The country in recent months has faced several embarrassing instances of corruption, multi-billion scams, rise in crime against women and inflation. Despite all this, there’s something within all of us that makes us proud to be an Indian. And makes us look at our country with pride. We have come a long hard way, and today, India holds her own in the world.
Actor Cyrus Sahukar says, “It’s not like these things didn’t exist before. They were always there, but today, we have the openness about discussing and accepting such things. I feel proud of the fact that today we are more open to change as a country. There’s a desire to get things fixed.”
Agrees Aakash Chopra, cricketer, who says, “Yes, a lot of things are going wrong, but if you pay attention, you’d see that there is saving grace as well. Sports, for instance, is definitely doing great in every stream, be it cricket or tennis. Education, and IT sectors are growing. If we get involved in only the wrongs, then we will fail to see the rights. There is corruption, crime, but there are plenty of other things to be proud of. We must learn to see the positives.”
Every country has its failings, but it also has its strength. Our identity has become synonymous with striving for excellence and great minds.
Pallavi Shrivastava, a banker, shares, “I am proud of my country not because of the rising number of multi-millionaires or Indians clinching global position in companies, but because we have made our presence felt in the world today. Youth is deeply attached to its culture and values, even though they are modern in their thoughts.”
However, National Award winner Darshan Jariwala feels that the spirit of being a nation is paradoxical today. “We don’t know what it is to be an Indian,” he says. “Being an Indian is an ideal thought, but nobody knows what it requires to be one. There’s no checklist. It’s more of a concept. I am proud about the fact that we are still going strong despite the mess around us. I am equally stunned at the corruption around.”
Artist Sanjay Bhattacharya also feels there’s no one to inspire us anymore. “I look up to our leaders of the past who fought for our freedom. They are the ones who gave their lives for the country. Running Metros or erecting buildings is superficial development. It’s the development of the mind that matters more and will make a difference,” he says.
Carrying the country’s past and present together is what makes the journey worthwhile for designer Rina Dhaka. “Our history and our present makes me a proud Indian. I take chunks from our glorious past and weave it in my present and carry the chaos of India with me. I feel elated that we are accepted the way we are, on our terms all over the world. There’s no need of any pretence, we are what we are and that’s what makes us one of the youngest and powerful nations in the world.”
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