One of the features of India’s Independence struggle was the massive participation of the masses. Beginning August 15, 2021 when the country stepped into its 75th year of Independence from the yolk of the British, the Government of India termed the year-long celebration as Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav with a series of activities in India and abroad. Asom Barta spoke to a cross section of people in the society on their views on this historic achievement of the country and its people.
Q1: We have completed 75 years of our Independence. Please share with us your feelings of this year-long celebration leading to this historic day.
Q2: How do you envision the onward march of our country?
Dr. Dimpy Pathak Das, Assistant Professor, Assam down town University, Guwahati
- We are fortunate to be part of a free country. I bow down to all those who fought and died for our country to ensure the freedom of successive generations. Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav has achieved its desired objective of uniting 130-crore Indians under one umbrella. It is very important to have nationalistic feeling and I think the next generation will continue to preserve this tradition.
- In the last 75 years, we have faced challenges on the social, economic and political fronts. We have come a long way today by overcoming many such challenges. We need to be aware of our individual responsibility towards our country. Let us remember that with freedom comes responsibility.
Ripankar Saikia, College student, Gohpur
- I am proud to be celebrating Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. Despite 75 years of our Independence, we are yet to know of many martyrs of the freedom struggle. Through various programmes, street plays, we are getting to know many of these freedom fighters. My personal observation is that in this celebration, we have overplayed the Tricolour. I have seen our flag being neglected in many places. We need to be cautious about such incidents in future.
- As an ordinary Indian, I would like to see the nation progressing on all spheres. Schemes alone will not help, their implementation at the grassroots is the way forward. A prime example being agriculture. For all those schemes envisaged, their implementation is not even a fraction. Same with health and education.
Nipon Boruah, Accountant, Nagaon
- The completion of 75 years of our freedom is a moment of pride for us. The youth of the country has always been at the forefront of all the struggles, including the freedom movement. We are a nation of young people. At least 66% of our population is less than 35. We have a lot of hope from these young assets of our nation.
- In the coming days, I expect the youth of the country to spearhead our forward march. They can contribute towards building a self-reliant rural economy. Agriculture, animal husbandry, self help groups are areas where the Government of the day can encourage the participation of these youths.
Sangita Sarma, Advocate, North Lakhimpur
- The celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav has been a defining point in my life. As an Indian, I feel privileged to be part of this journey. The masses have even greater responsibility in building the nation following the sacrifices of all those who laid down their lives for the country.
- Our biggest challenge is to ensure social, economic and political justice for the masses. We need to rid society of all differences o strengthen the realise the true meaning of freedom. Our people have proved themselves in the last 75 years. The need of the hour is to advance on this achievement.
Snigdha Das(Dhubri), Pursuing M.Tech, Tezpur University
1. Celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is a joyous moment for all Indians. Our GDP growth, our higher education, especially the IITs; our polio campaign, our diplomatic achievements, our pharma sector are some of the areas where we have left a mark on the global map in the last 75 years.
2. Yes, in the coming years, we have a lot on our plate to be counted among the powerful countries of the world. We need improvement in our per capita income, our education and health sectors, research, FDI, employment generation and population control policies.
Madhusudan Upadhyay, Retired Head Master, Tamulpur
1. I was thrilled and overwhelmed to see the tricolour flying high from August 13 to 15. We followed what the Prime Minister of the country Narendra Modi had appealed to us for. It was the culmination of unity in diversity that our country has always shown to the world.
2. It is believed that our country is the fountainhead of all knowledge. The New Education Policy which the Government of India has initiated keeping in sync with this reality will, I believe, take us forward in all spheres.
