August 1947 was the month India became independent.  Since then it has become a month of much significance as we annually celebrate our country’s Independence Day.  This kindles in every one of us the hope of reformation and a sense of patriotic pride in belonging to this great nation which has secured freedom and independence from foreign domination.  

Let us go back in time to when at the stroke of midnight on the 15^th August 1947, India awoke to its much-awaited freedom and the tricolour was raised aloft to symbolise our independence to the entire world.  Freedom brings to mind the sacrifices of scores of bravehearts on whose tombs our freedom is built.  These dedicated freedom fighters guided by the Gandhian ideology pursued peaceful demonstrations without any bloodshed.

Among these illustrious patriots was the renowned Barrister Joseph Baptista whose loyalty endeared him to the people and earned him the sobriquet ‘Kaka.’  As a staunch proponent of Home Rule, he was closely associated with Veer Sarvarkar, Lokmanya Tilak, Lala Rajpat Rai and others.  On the other hand, Mahatma Gandhi first lit the flame of the freedom movement at various landmarks to begin India’s long journey to its midnight tryst with destiny. 

Cautiously supporting this struggle for freedom, Baptista advocated orderly progress.  He therefore warned, “Sagacious statesmen will perceive the wisdom of conciliating Congressmen who pin their faith in the creed of non-violence.  Suspicion and distrust must be ended.  An absolutely straightforward policy has become absolutely indispensable.  It also promises the maximum measure of peace, goodwill and orderly progress.”

The first significant step was the announcement in August 1946, of the first all-Indian national interim government at the Centre.  It consisted of 14 members and assumed office soon after, on September 2, after the resignation of the Governor-General’s Executive Council.

The new team consisted of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhai Patel, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Mr. M. Asaf Ali, Mr. C. Rajagopalachari, Mr. Sarat Chandra Bose, Dr. John Mathai, Sardar Baldev Singh, Sir Shafaat Ahmad Khan, Mr. Jagivan Ram, Syed Ali Zaheer and Mr. Cooverji Hormusji Bhabha..

A year later, at midnight of August 14/15, 1947, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, made the most striking speech ever by an Indian.  His historic words stirred the nation and shall always be remembered by those of that time who were witness to the momentous change.  His words are relevant even more today as the country is faced with several challenges.

The National Anthem   

After the attainment of independence, India had to take a decision on adopting its national flag, anthem and emblem.

The Constituent Assembly at its meeting on January 1,  1954, adopted Jana Mana Gana as the national anthem of India, and simultaneously recognised Vande Mataram as the national song, enjoying equal status with the former.

Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister, while replying to the short notice question in the constit   uent assembly on August 16, 1948 said Vande Matarm is obviously and indisputably the premier national song of India with a great historical background and intimately connected with our struggle for freedom.

Clarifying the position further, he informed the members that “the tune of Vande Mataram  with all its attraction and historical background is not exactly  suitable for orchestras in foreign countries,” whereas the orchestral rendering of Jana Gana Mana, is approved by our defence services and other establishments.  Thereafter, the constituent assembly finally decided that Jana Gana Mana be adopted as the anthem.  The words as well as the music for the anthem were written and composed by Rabindranath Tagore.  

It may be recalled that the memorable meeting of the constituent assembly held at midnight of August 14, 1947, under the presidentship of Babu Rajendra Prasad, began with the singing of Vande Mataram and ended with Jana Gana Mana.

If, at that time, the country had charismatic leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Nehru and Sardar Vallabhai Patel, it was due to uniparty governance.  The Indian National Congress was the only political party that held sway over the entire nation for a long time and that facilitated its leaders growing in stature.  Sadly, it has seen its own demise through rampant corruption in recent years and nepotism.  For that matter, none of the existing political components has the courage of its convictions!

Even our Presidents were men of erudition and learning, starting with Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Dr. S. Radhakrishnan and most others with a few exceptions, and we cannot forget our very own people’s President, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, who passed away a few years ago, but will live in the nation’s memory forever.  At the same time, it must be conceded that the task of our Presidents has become difficult in the present political environment where they have to contend with the present trend of coalition governance. 

The ruling power and the opposition need to be educated in proper and principled governance, or else we will see the kind of situation being witnessed today.  The opposition believes it just has to blindly oppose, like the ruling party did when it sat in the opposition.  The result is that parliament is disrupted causing inestimable financial loss to the nation! 

Those men of stature worked to put India in line with the leading nations of the world.  Regrettably, today’s politicians are interested only in power and pelf, corruption has been self-destructive, and regional parties have emerged to create chaos through linguistic politics.  Their leaders have luxurious lifestyles thanks to their vagrant front-runners who keep them well provided through extortion and looting.   And yet some defiant elements who are a law to themselves, get away with openly defying the law.   

Where do we stand today?  While providing employment and development are the main tasks of the present government, not much headway has been made because the agenda has been diverted to our kitchens and our drawing rooms, name changing of monumental edifices which we would never be able to erect, chanting mantras, issuing condemnations and the like. The present socio-political climate has nurtured gau rakshaks and lynch mobs. We see India struggling with a moral dilemma between development and secularism, instead of secularism and growth? 

The Prime Minister’s very efficient PR team ensures his featuring in the print and electronic media daily, and has also ensured condemnation of the violence of the cow hoodlums. But his warnings lack conviction, because some of his ministers have openly encouraged such elements.  They are aware the Prime Minister has to give occasional warnings, and they also know they are to be ignored. Therefore, it is time the people realize that the country cannot just be left in the hands of any party to do as they like for five years.  Time we acted as citizens and not slaves, and get ready to resist criminal influences.  Today, we need to reaffirm our freedom and loyalty to our country by standing united in the face of aggression by our bordering neighbours, and also in combating the surging Covid-19 pandemic.

By Irwin Almeida

Irwin Almeida was once with the Indian Express and a former editor of the East Indian Journal.