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GREETINGS ON THE INDEPENDENCE DAY – AUGUST 15
TODAY, August 15, we
are celebrating the Independence Day of India. My
greetings to all my fellow citizens and friends on
this happy occasion.
India has come a long
way since 1947. We are a nation of 1.25 billion
people. Demographically, India is one of youngest
countries. India is the largest democracy of the
world. It is one of the fastest growing economies.
India is one of the largest reservoirs of skilled
and semi-skilled manpower. But India is still poor
and under developed. We are to go a long way. It is
a matter of concern and worry that things are
seemingly not under control. The divisive forces are
at work and are gaining strength. We are a divided
lot on the basis of caste and religion. We are one
of the top corrupt nations. The economy is in dis-array.
Political parties do not have any national agenda.
India is surrendered by hostile neighbours.
India Today, in one
of its latest issues has termed India as “World’s
only RDC” and said “There are LDCs (Less Developed
Countries) and there are UDCs (Under Developed
Countries) But India is an RDC, a Refusing to
Develop Country, thanks to its politicians. India
today has further informed that in 1982, India’s per
capita income was 39% higher than China’s. By 1912,
India’s per capita income had reduced to just 24% of
China’s. An average Chinese is 3 times richer than
an Indian; he was 28% poorer than an Indian in 1982.
It is a matter of shame and concern.
Let the Independence
Day be an occasion for introspection. We have
definitely gone wrong on the way. Before we get
derailed, we need to remind ourselves of the warning
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar gave in the Constituent Assembly
in November, 1949. He said “Independence is no doubt
a matter of joy. But let us not forget this
independence has thrown on us great
responsibilities. By independence, we have lost the
excuse of blaming the British for anything going
wrong. If hereafter things go wrong, we will have
nobody to blame but ourselves”
By. Mr. Ramesh Chander, Retired Indian Diplomat
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