AMBIKA MORAJKAR
As a youth, and especially as a woman, August 15 makes me realise how capable we Indians are of driving negative forces out of our way through struggle and sacrifice. Our ancestors fought for freedom and gave up so much for the country. But was their only goal to free India from foreign rule? No. They wanted freedom from slavery, harassment, oppression, and the fear that came with it. Today, we may not have Portuguese or British rule over us, but we still face struggles from within our own society.
So, what does freedom actually mean? I feel that we often have a very limited meaning of freedom in our minds. Freedom does not merely mean breathing freely without asking anyone for permission. It means making choices for ourselves and having the courage to stand for what we believe in. But are we truly doing that? The world around us has been changing in ways we never imagined. Paper leaks, crimes against women, food adulteration, scams and so many other issues surround us. We may have constitutional rights, but having rights on paper does not automatically mean that we are free.
For me, August 15, is not just a historical event that we celebrate with flags and patriotic songs. It is a reminder to stop depending on others to fight our battles, to stop remaining silent because of fear and to find the courage to speak up. Independence should mean being independent in our thoughts, words, actions, minds, and emotions. Yet, as today’s youth, are we truly free from all these things? We hesitate to express our opinions because we fear being called disrespectful. We are constantly affected by society’s judgments.
Today’s youth have a strong
desire to achieve their dreams, be it being an air hostess, an actor, a model, or an entrepreneur. Yet, the world often laughs at our dreams
or tries to pull us backwards.
Sometimes, it’s not the lack of ability that stops us, it’s the fear of “What will people say?”
Perhaps, that is where real freedom has to begin. This Independence Day, I want every young person to remember: your dream does not need society’s
permission to exist. If there is something you truly want to achieve,
don’t let someone’s opinion become the wall between you and your dream.
Maybe the dream
God has planted in your heart is there for a reason. Maybe the path will be difficult. Maybe people will laugh. Maybe you will fall. But falling does not mean that you were wrong to fly.
Let us stop living according to the fear of “What will they say?” Let us start asking, “What will I become if I never try?”
(The writer is a student)
