Hari the Hadron

Wednesday, August 16, 2006

LOOKING INDEPENDENT, FEELING INDEPENDENT AND BEING INDEPENDENT

I recently read a book by Swami Sukhabhodhananda, where he spoke of the concept of looking good, being good and feeling good. Looking good relates to looking glamorous externally that is so much in focus now and in fact is a fast growing industry. But this external good look does not last long unless it is complimented by feeling good which is automatically showcased in the form of being good.

This morning I read a post on Independence Day in Swahilya’s blog and suddenly could relate the above concept of good looks to Independence too. I sincerely feel that we Indians only look independent and are working very hard to make the look glamorous by ever increasing pomp in celebrations of the Independence Day. We are far from feeling Independent.

Its 59 years since we have attired the looks of independence and its high-time our Government / politicians start working on instilling the confidence in our citizens to feel independent. What more to say, even our politicians are not feeling the independence, because the ruling party is not able to rule and the opposition party is not able to oppose, independently with a clear conscience. I am sure you would not call, walking out of the Parliament at the drop of a coin, an independent way to oppose and amending the Right to Information Act, an independent way to rule.

I just read in a post in Thennavan's blog titled "We the People", that India is not branding itself properly. But then how can we do so when we do not feel the independence deep within ourselves. Its like the difference between living in a rented house, even if on a perpetual lease, and living in ones own house. Looking independent is like living in a rented house and feeling independent is like living in our own house. How can you expect the citizens of India to create a Brand image for their rented house? Just make them feel it their own, the sheer population of our country feeling the Independence is enough to give India an image larger, stronger and dynamic than any other country in the world.

16 Comments:

  • Hi Everybody, please feel free to comment. Even criticism would be a compliment.

    By Blogger hari, at 2:32 AM  

  • Hmm....quite a thoughtful piece on Independence Day.

    By Blogger Swahilya Shambhavi, at 3:04 AM  

  • Hari, thanks for the plug and as always, you raise not only valid but uncomfortable questions that don't have easy answers. Will this generation at least take up the mantle?

    By Blogger Krish, at 6:37 AM  

  • While I agree with your points I would also like to add that we conveniently blame everything on politicians and the system. How effective are we in asserting our rights, in opposing corruption or holding officals accountable? How many of us would fight legal battles against the system? Dont we also take the easy wayout many times? Is that effective use of independence?

    By Blogger Usha, at 2:47 AM  

  • Jai Hind!!!!:)

    By Blogger The Inquisitive Akka, at 4:17 AM  

  • Swahilya. thanks

    By Blogger hari, at 4:20 AM  

  • Hi Thennavan,
    Thanks for the generous compliments. But your question is equally difficult to answers. See we have to all change our attitude from "Why should I do" to "What should I do".

    By Blogger hari, at 4:22 AM  

  • Usha, well said. It is because we take the easy way out most of the times that we have come to be comfortable living in this rented house. True, only our committed hardwork can make this our own home.

    By Blogger hari, at 4:24 AM  

  • Hello Akka,

    Most welcome. Its just minutes ago that I visited your blog and extended a welcome and here you are. Thats the positive energy I was talking about in your blog.

    Keep coming and inspiring.

    By Blogger hari, at 4:28 AM  

  • hi nice thought. It is the spirit that is important. can't just depend on the office bearers of the nation. as long as we have the feeling of "this is not my problem", "why should I bother", we can never "feel" independent

    By Blogger Itchingtowrite, at 10:05 PM  

  • Thought provoking write up Hari.

    By Blogger dame's diary, at 3:40 AM  

  • Looking independent is like living in a rented house and feeling independent is like living in our own house...well said,Hari..

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12:19 AM  

  • very insightful, as ever! :)
    sorry, i took a bit getting here...

    cheers!
    ramya

    By Blogger Houseowner, at 4:34 AM  

  • Hi ITR,

    Welcome to my blog and you are straight to the point from the word go. well said

    By Blogger hari, at 1:17 AM  

  • Thanks Dame.

    Thanks Ganga.

    By Blogger hari, at 1:18 AM  

  • Thanks Ramya. Howz you doing.

    By Blogger hari, at 1:22 AM  

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