A nation is not an idea, but a reality with a form, soul and life. May be made up of ideas and ideologies but even when these change — as they must, the nation would abide - living, unless of course, the people as a whole choose the path of self-destruction.
India has a refulgent history of sustained existence spanning centuries. Principalities and provinces with claims to statehood did exist, disfiguring the fabric, and the situation, fully capitalised by foreigners, somewhat marred unity and cohesion. But with our shaking off the yoke seven decades ago, no alibi exists for non-performance.
No religion commands man to hate and kill, but it is precisely in the name of religion that carnage goes on as a daily event right across the subcontinent.
I would therefore expect right in front of the main door of every house a humble candle with its flame symbolically etching in the dark the message, “I love my neighbour and would pray and act for his peace and happiness.”
But too much of optimism!
I would expect the society to rid itself of the cancerous germs of corruption that eat away what little remains, rendering the life of the weak and the powerless a fate worse than death. A utopian dream!
I would expect the judiciary to dole out not merely law but justice too, “lending bodily form to the shadow of the law.”
Another dream?
As a famous Malayalam poet sang, “Even while aware all these are vain desires, I desire to desire in vain!”
- The reader is based in India
