Since 1947 India has completed 69 years of independence from the British Raj and celebrated its 70th Independence Birthday on 15th August 2016. In AV’s editorial ‘India at 70: Future prospects and challenges’ (AV 20th Aug) the author has made a very important contribution informing readers and the wider public how India has been making economic success and sustaining democratic system despite virtually non-stop aggression and terrorism from Pakistan.
As the piece has suggested it is time for reflection and reminiscence on the past history and plan and work for the future by all Indians especially the Majority Hindus. Celebration of independence is an annual reminder to all Hindus that their motherland was under foreign rule for nearly 800 years, first as a Muslim colony and then as a British one. What happened during the colonial period has been interpreted by some historians as a form of slavery. However, the most astonishing fact about all this is the miraculous survival of Hindu culture, tradition and philosophy. Despite all this, economic success and scientific advance India is still riddled with many social and political problems. However, given the right approach and commitment India can solve almost all these problems.
Jatindra Saha
By email
