The song is sung
by numerous leading singers, each year we get to see numerous choreographed
versions and each time I weep whenever I sing it with full heart. Wait…. Did
you think I cry because I feel for the miserable conditions which are eating India every day? Nope…
I am a happy citizen of India and I know a growing country will have lots
of minor ailments. Just a couple of days back I got to see a new advertisement of TATA tea……. the brand which started a
brilliant ad…. Drink tea and “jago re”…. get up against all odds. This time the
ad makers came back with a slogan through a woman and she said “desh ubal raha hai”……the
country is “boiling”, just the way the
hot water produces millions of bubbles before becoming a nerve soothing tea. I
am the optimistic woman as that advertisement portrays that very woman. But
then why do tears roll out when I give my full heart to this song? A strange
psychology pushes me to cry. I remember the happy childhood, my parents’ warm
care, my twin’s energetic companionship, my schools, my friends, my college
days, each independence day where I sung with million others. Added with this,
I also remember that special conference in Delhi where I met my would
be husband, who sang this song with his own teammates in their own linguistic
tone. Yes, I , like many other children of India was blessed
by the ever growing powers of our constitution to get a good home, good
education and above all a secured childhood. I feel happy to use my right to
speech and expression the way I want to. When I read about the constitutional
rights of women in many countries, I really feel at least I am above them. I
know probably my legal researcher brain won’t accept that our constitution does
not guarantee full happiness to women and men and also children, there are lots
of laws with major flaws, but I feel happy to be a part of the crew who are
sailing despite many storms.
But somehow, I can not reconnect with some of my fellow country mates who are now blindly taking up the path showed by Mahatma Gandhi. Not very long ago we saw a huge uproar nation wide with the veteran social activist Anna Hazare to bring an end to corruption. He followed typical Gandhian Ahimsa way to persuade the government to draft a law which will force the end of corruption. A huge applause to him. The government did take up the issue and procedures are being followed to create a flawless law. But did Anna really set an example for good? He retested the Gandhian way, and probably showed some a quick way to success. Anna's favorite answer for any politically motivating question is people see through their chosen color glasses. Probably he is right. Not very long ago I witnessed an adamant youth's very disturbing activity regarding an unrealistic demand. It was quite the Gandhian way which is being tested by Anna now. But it was disturbing and it badly affected many of our day to day lives. True, the country is boiling. But the nerve soothing stuff needs to be added in the right procedure and at the right occasion. Huge criticism,the vibe of dis satisfaction and portraying a picture of future India always in blackish grey shades may encourage youth to waste energy in an unwanted manner.
Optimism is the
way. Jago, ubalte raho ..but for the right reason and in the right manner.
