Congratulations to my fellow Indians on the anniversary of India's 70th Independence day. This is a happy occasion for over a billion people who are now living in many parts of the world and making a positive contribution. In just 70 years India has gone to Mars and become a nuclear power. It has become a magnet for investment for every developed country due to the strength of economy and the hardworking nature of its people.
In 1947 two countries were created by the then British rulers; one to promote people on the basis of their religion and the other to promote people regardless of their religion in a secular nation.
Unfortunately the country based on religion broke into two in 1971 and a new country, Bangladesh, was born after a bitter war. This showed that religion does not have the strength to hold people or countries together and as a result, use of religion to create countries is not a sound base.
No country can progress whilst systematically discriminating against a section of her own population on the basis of their religion or gender. We Indians are indebted to our leaders as they opted for a secular India where equality for all is enshrined in the constitution regardless of race, religion or gender. The result, no Indian uses the religion card to surge ahead and instead we Indians use merit to be the best amongst the rest.
Indians under a secular constitution develop wholesomely with an ability to integrate into any society easily and quickly. We can see how Indians throughout the world as an integrated community punching above its weight to benefit all mankind. The Indian diaspora is now the most respected throughout the world with political, economic and cultural contributions to their respective adopted countries. Indian leaders are inspiring the world with their peaceful and progressive policies. India is the largest democracy in the world and a home of tolerance and non-violence.
Whilst we are celebrating our independence we must be mindful of the supreme sacrifices our countrymen and women paid with their lives for the day when their motherland, India, would be free. It is due to their vision, commitment and sacrifices that we are equal in the world and receive the respect due to us.
I shudder to think if India had not produced patriots whose love for Mother India was greater than that for themselves and their families then what our status in the world would be today.
Whilst we rejoice on our Independence Day, we must also bow our heads to pay tribute to the great sons and daughters of India who made this day possible.
Jai Hind.
