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The insurrection in Egypt stirred a lot of emotions in me. For once, I could sit back and rejoice in the victory of human faith, determination, and unity. It made me realize that nothing is impossible if you believe in it. The entire episode gave wings to my patriotic feelings, and I couldn’t but help think about my own country, India. My mind took me decades back, when my country-men fought valiantly for decades to free us from British rule. In 1947, India gained independence. I am a lucky one, to be born in a ‘free’ land- I thought. But suddenly, I found myself questioning how free I really am. True, my country’s brave leaders laid down their lives to give me a ‘free’ homeland, a ‘free’ life. Yet, did the men of the same free country carry forward the legacy? Am I really standing on an Earth where I have no bindings, where I have the freedom to do whatever I want to? Do my fellow-citizens let me live my life my own way? No.
I am not yet free. For, with every passing year of celebrating Independence, we have also inhaled shallowness, and unquestionably dispensable practices and conventions. No. I still do not believe I know what freedom of life is.
Because, I know I will be free only when…
…I am welcomed and embraced, in spite of my dark skin.
I can choose a profession I like, and do all that I want to, although I am a girl.
I can live my life with the one I love, without any fear of ostracism.
I can choose to stay back and look after my parents in old age, instead of marrying to leave home and live with the groom.
I can walk down the road holding my brother’s hand, without eyes prying upon us.
I do not have to seek permission to adopt a baby or donate my eyes.
I can spend a night alone at home, without fearing a break-in.
I can study and learn whenever I want to, with no age-limit criteria depriving me of my hunger for knowledge.
I can feed myself without fearing disintegration because of selfish mercenary injections of poison in my food.
I can write on anything under the sun, without fearing a racist attack.
I can go to a social gathering, and not be sneered with comments, frowns and judgements on my thin build or average looks.
I can visit the valleys and hills and snow, without the fear of being stabbed or shot at by anti-socials.
I can live each day of my life as I wish, as if there’s no tomorrow.
I know I will be free when…
I can decide for myself, whether I want to live anymore or not.
Till then, I am a mere slave-
Of discrimination, racism, gender-bias, inequality, rigid conventions, societal pressures, selfishness, hatred, scheming, violence, atrocities in the name of religion, political anarchy- tormenting rottenness in every step I put forward.
Till then, I continue to live in fear of being rejected, humiliated, insulted, cheated, laughed upon, left out, hurt, stabbed and murdered.
Till then, I shall not be able to taste ‘freedom’ in its true sense.
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Writer Profile
Neha
Born with a love for pen, I express myself best through written words.Being a finance professional, I unfortunately couldn't make a headway in journalism.Yet, not seeing it as a hindrance to my writing instincts, I am currently freelancing, and keep looking out for opportunities to pen down my thoughts.Coming from India-a country so rich in all things creative,and lucky to be born to a beautifully talented mother,I believe it is my motherland, and mother, who have instilled this creativity in me.And I hope to keep it alive, by writing more and more!
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