Independence Day of two nations being celebrated on two consecutive days with the same pageantry as well as sustained by the same cultural ethos. The lines being converted into barbed wires in some places and in some others the terrain leaving no room for even a semblance of a line being drawn. Six decades later could we atleast not agree to celebrate our Independence day on the same day since the stroke of midnight determined the effective Partition between three nations - United Kingdom, Pakistan and India.
The thoughts drifted across to another scenario.The walls across two nations came down erasing the artificial differences sowed within them. Chancellor Kohl who was a professor of history must be the only one who can be credited with making history as well. On the other hand we have also witnessed the creation of new states with more persons being entitled to the privilege of being called a head of State or head of Governement. This does makes one wonder who is the better of the lot - the one who felled the wall or the ones who built the walls.
Building walls is an easy task. Tearing into another's emotions and the creation of divides have been a favourite of many playwrights in building a background to even a teary romance. Building bridges have never been easy. Barriers in the form rivers, streams, hills, mountains or human minds have always lived upto their reputation in ensuring that the minds do not meet. Well yours truly is no exception as I would venture to share. Sir MV and Sreedharan would perhaps vouch for it.
It was at the time of the release of the famed Ben Kingsley starrer Gandhi. The nation and the world wondered whether the movie would win acclaim or turn controversial. The release ensured its success, a resounding success. A relative of mine had dropped in and she had words of praise for the Father of the nation. As a staunch admirer of Bose, Patel and Tilak, I entertained only disdain for the hero of all hearts. After a fierce debate, she merely told that we would discuss the same two decades later. Years rolled by. I graduated from a collegian to an employed citizen. Crossroads cropped at every corner. As usual I had a view point but few contested the same while the majority kept silent. It was presumed that this majority would have entertain the same viewpoint as mine. Steps ahead, one noticed surreptious movements in all other directions. One was left all alone. A few friends gathered at moments of crisis to lend moral support and indulge in some friendly bashing. All others spent time in flattery. Disillusionment set in.
It was not too long a time before I realized that it was a herculean task to keep even a second person in one's loop let alone a whole nation. Grudgingly, I turned back to the history paper books. I chanced upon one of Patel's correspondences with Nehru and Gandhi as well as the Kings who were aspiring for return to their glorious pasts. Another one was on the triumvirate of Gandhi, Patel and Nehru. The insight these books gave to me is a treasure which is incomparable.
Years later, Ramachandra Guha came up with a master piece on thinkers of India. He cateorised Patel as a doer and not a thinker. Wisdom taught me to agree with this seasoned man. Patel could enforce and implement but was not the master of hearts. Nehru had endeared himself to the masses while Gandhi was a master of the masses. Gandhi surely could dictate terms to masses which few could accomplish after him. Obviously, history gave him, despite his several flaws and blunders, the place he deserved . Nothing could rob him of this trait and honour. On any given day, when I launch into a moralistic sermon and turn back to see only the physical presence but lack of moral courage exhibited in the sneers of the persons around me, I never fail to salute this man.
After saluting him, I still choose to follow the path of Patel to say at least let me be a doer if not a thinker. Only time can tell whether I have been able to at least contribute something to my chosen path. The class of these greats are lost on us if we do not at least endeavour to do something in our chosen paths. Hence, I rededicate myself on this day of Independence to my chosen path of being a small time doer.
For doing I need a dream. Kalam asked us to dream. I dare to dream of success in my path of duties while I would love someone to bring the states of Bangladesh, Burma, Pakistan and India to form into a consolidation of states as a first step and then close into a well knit nation.
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