Thousands of ‘midnight
hours’ have come and gone by, the world slept and awoke as a routine and India managed
to complete its 66 years of existence as a democracy when states around it succumbed
to military rule and autocracies. This by no means is a mean feat but India now
needs to rise from the ‘midnight hour’ phenomenon as we certainly did not catch
the entire world napping; for the record it was 2.30pm in the American Capital
and most would have been wide awake. Nevertheless, the allegory symbolises the
intrinsic value of the historical event that was unfolding – the lowering of
the Union Jack and hoisting of the Tricolour!
India will always
have a special place in history. Not only because the Indus valley civilisation
was much advanced than the contemporary world but also because it has
resolutely but subtly had its effect on the entire world. UK would not have
been such a roaring economy (pre-crisis I mean) but for the gold that was
looted from India. Bangladesh would not been born if not for Indira Gandhi’s
timely intervention in the erstwhile East Pakistan. So also South Africa would
have taken a few more years to rid itself of the apartheid that was prevalent
therein if the Mahatma had not stood against the whites. These are the few
direct impacts we have had on the world. But we still continue to prop up the
IT industry of the world and many of NASA’s scientists are Indians.
But now India
needs to reclaim its lost glory – lost because the current glory is but a mere
shadow of its original being. India needs to assert itself on the world stage.
By assert I do not mean that it should disturb world peace or disrupt the democratic
systems around the world. But a point needs to be driven home that we shall not
take things lying down. Indian diplomacy needs to rise to the occasion and re-engage
with like-minded countries and untie to fight the scourges of terrorism,
violence, corruption and similar global vices. Using the platforms of
multilateral platforms a refreshing change needs to be brought in the way systems
function. From expansion of the UN Security Council to giving impetus to the
Non-alignment Movement, from establishing channels of communication with the
African nations to building bridges with the South American continent, from playing
a meaningful role in the Middle Eastern crises to taking decisive action to
arrest global warming – the time has come for a nation to reawaken.
National interest
should be at the forefront of any decision, political or otherwise. If anyone falls
short of the patriotism that is needed to support India in nation building,
well, simply tune in to the numerous patriotic songs that are playing around.
The heart-wrenching voice of Lata Mangeshkar singing Vande Mataram instantly
makes one teary eyed. It affects you because somewhere within you know you are
falling short of doing your bit for your country, your motherland. It is time
you wake up to the nation’s call. Take a pledge to serve your country in
whatever way possible. Be a responsible citizen. And remember – we are all Indians
first and lastly we are Indians!
