Project 365: Day 264 — Republic Day

I’m not patriotic. Not remotely so. I do feel a surge of pride when I hear the National Anthem before a game but beyond that, nothing really.

So on Republic Day today, it’s no different. Today was the day India adopted its own Constitution. The Constitution of India has some great ideals but only on paper I think. We aren’t a truly independent nation if we can’t really put our thoughts out there without so much as a death threat or rape threat if you’re a woman on a public domain, should you dare to question the powers in this country at any level.

I’m a cynic as far as the political scenario in my country goes. I don’t buy the development story our PM is selling the world. Progress is not much if our minds are still encumbered by petty issues such as religion, race, gender. I say this with a lot of respect but these issues are small in the context of a better world. Will it hurt anyone if someone from a minority community gets access to education?

I just hope we see things moving in a better direction. It worries me just how unbearable someone else’s opinion is for others. I hope for more than the constitutional right to freedom of speech.