India's Second Freedom Movement

 

"Vision inspires the nation"

 

Honourable Members of Parliament,

I am inspired to participate in this Commemorative Function to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of our national movement for independence. The year 1857 was a ‘turning point’ in the nineteenth century signaling the beginning of the end of many centuries of colonial rule.

This resurgence of nationalism started as small streams of dissent with the tyranny of colonial rule. The foreign rulers did not understand these warning signals, which began at 6 pm on Sunday, 10th May 1857, in Meerut, with what was called a mutiny against the foreign troops. In reality it was a symptom of something far deeper and greater. Soon these small streams joined together to become a powerful flood as a nationwide movement to regain our lost freedom.

This Freedom Movement created a renaissance of visionary, devoted and passionate leadership across the entire spectrum of our civilizational heritage, in multiple fields such as politics, spirituality, literature, fine arts, judiciary, science and industry. I shall illustrate this phenomenon of resurgence of national leadership with a few examples.

In the political field, Lokmanya Tilak, a great Sanskrit scholar and astronomer, proclaimed in 1880’s the fiery words, “Swaraj is my birthright, and I shall have it”.

In the field of science Prof Subramanyan Chandrasekhar, a famous astrophysicist in his biography asks a question how at a particular period of Indian science in 1920-1925, there were five to six great contemporary scientists of international reputation. They were Sir CV Raman, JC Bose, Srinivasa Ramanujan, S.N.Bose and Meghnad Saha. Chandra’s own answer was Indian Scientists wanted to prove that Indian intelligence could match the best minds in the world. He also said that the need for self-expression, whether in politics or science, becomes a dominant motive in the younger generation and becomes a part of the national movement to assert oneself.

In the industrial field, Jamsetji Tata started work in 1880’s to bring the steel industry into India even though the colonial rulers were not favorably disposed to that idea. Acharya P.C Ray a Professor of Chemistry in the Calcutta University, was a pioneer in the field of pharmaceutical industry in India in 1880’s.

In the field of education, Sir Syad Ahmad Khan founded the Aligarh Muslim University in 1875, while in 1916, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya established the Banaras Hindu University. Jamsetji Tata sowed the seeds for the creation of Indian Institute of Science at Bangalore.

 

In literature and poetry, Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913. Recall his ringing words, at a time when the vision of freedom for India seemed remote, Tagore was urging his countrymen towards independence with words that expressed his complete conviction and passionate faith, saying:

"...Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country
awake..."

During the same time the poems of Subramaniam Bharati, a great Tamil poet, nationalist and revolutionary expressed the depth of his love for a great India, where women would be free, and where education and skills would be widespread. In 1910 itself, he wrote a national poem, the song of freedom:

 

That means “let us celebrate, our blissful freedom has already arrived”.

In the field of music, it was a unique phenomena to see the music trinity consisting of the great saint Thiyagaraja Swamigal, Muthuswami Deekshidhar and Shyama Sastrigal enriching the music and culture in the country. Pandit Vishnu Narayan brought renaissance in the classical Hindustani music.

Many women ranging from Bhima Bai Holkar, Rani Channama of Kittur, Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi, Begam Hazrat Mahal of Avadh in the 19th century; and Sarojini Naidu, Kasturba Gandhi and Annie Besant in the 20th century are the names which are remembered even today for their singular contribution both in battlefield and in the political field.

Once again, in the political arena, the excellences in multiple fields were consolidated, given political direction and momentum. In 1942, Mahatma Gandhi announced the “Quit India Movement”. As part of this focused “Quit India” and Sathyagraha movements, many great leaders such as Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Subash Chandra Bose, Sardar Patel, Abul Kalam Azad, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, C. Rajagopalachariar (Rajaji) under the inspirational leadership of Mahatma Gandhi spearheaded the dynamic independence movement.

In the spiritual field, a major movement emerged in late 1800’s through Swami Vivekananda and Shri Aurobindo, and later through philosophers like J. Krishnamurthi who evoked spiritual consciousness in people.

I recall here the dream of the visionary, spiritual leader, Sri Aurobindo. The first of these dreams was a revolutionary movement to create a free and united India. This was achieved on 15 August 1947. His second dream was the resurgence and liberation of the peoples of Asia and India’s return to her great role in the progress of human civilizations. Sri Aurobindo’s third dream for India was her role in the founding of a world-union for a just, bright and noble life for all mankind.

I saw this dream coming true when I was invited to address the European Union Parliament a few days ago. When I said “….I have brought from India, a message, a message to start three important Indo-European missions, which can contribute to global peace and prosperity….” The missions, which I have put forth based on India’s experience and the dynamics of European Union are:-

1. Evolution of enlightened society - for evolving a citizen with value system and leading to prosperous and peaceful world.

2. Leading to Energy Independence - A three dimensional approach for energy choice towards realizing clean planet earth.

3. World Knowledge Platform - for synergizing the core competence of European Union and India in certain areas for providing solutions to critical issues like water, healthcare and capacity building.

So, I have suggested that the Indian Parliament and the EU Parliament might join hands in a global partnership that would lead to an inclusive, just, prosperous and strong world order. I received a sincere and enthusiastic response from the 27 countries who are members of the European Union. I felt that Europe is now ready to partner India in multiple missions for the benefit of all mankind. This initiative now, Hon’ble Members, is in your hands to realize peace and prosperity for the nation and the world.

Honourable Members, our movement to true freedom and independence is still incomplete; our story is still unfolding. The global environment however is still dangerous and India’s freedom won by suffering and sacrifice has to be alertly guarded, strengthened and expanded. Freedom and independence must be our continuing quest, and in such a manner as to accelerate our evolution as a free nation through a bold and swift development. Can we keep this perspective while we celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the freedom movement? The time has now arrived for Parliament and Legislative Assemblies to emerge with a new vision and leadership to make our nation not only enlightened, united, harmonious, rich and prosperous, but above all, a safe nation, invulnerable forever to invasion and infiltration across its borders. I visualize the following distinctive profile for India by the year 2020, if the Parliament today resolves to implement the Mission India 2020 for a strong, prosperous and happy nation.

1. A Nation where the rural and urban divide has reduced to a thin line.

2. A Nation where there is an equitable distribution and adequate access to energy and quality water.

3. A Nation where agriculture, industry and service sector work together in symphony.

4. A Nation where education with value system is not denied to any meritorious candidates because of societal or economic discrimination.

5. A Nation which is the best destination for the most talented scholars, scientists, and investors.

6. A Nation where the best of health care is available to all.

7. A Nation where the governance is responsive, transparent and corruption free.

8. A Nation where poverty has been totally eradicated, illiteracy removed and crimes against women and children are absent and none in the society feels alienated.

9. A Nation that is prosperous, healthy, secure, peaceful and happy and continues with a sustainable growth path.

10. A Nation that is one of the best places to live in and is proud of its leadership.

National leadership for realizing and sustaining the distinctive profile of a strong and prosperous India can emerge only when there is coherent, orderly and effective leadership from our Parliament and Legislative Assemblies.

Conclusion

National leadership has to radiate confidence in our people and boldly emerge by formulating and implementing new national missions, targeting specific time-bound goals. India can be rightly proud of its many achievements in economic, social & political fields over the past 60 years. But we cannot afford to rest content with past achievements and ignore recent developments that call for a change in technology, industry and agriculture. Many challenges need to be responded to: the emergence of multi-party coalitions as a regular form of government, that need to rapidly evolve as a stable, two-party system, the need to strengthen internal security to cope with global terrorism and new forms of internal law-and-order problems; the widening of economic disparities during a period of high growth in the absence of a comprehensive National Prosperity Index in place of GDP alone; the rapid depletion of global fossil fuel reserves; and increasing threats to our territorial security by the development of new forms of warfare.

When I see you, Hon’ble Members of Parliament, particularly young members, I see in you the eternal spirit of Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Subash Chandra Bose, Dr. Ambedkar, Abul Kalam Azad, Rajaji and many great visionary leaders of our nation. Can you also become visionary leaders, putting the nation above yourself? Can you become one of the great ones of India? Yes, you can. Yes, you can. You can, if you en-ly-ven the Parliament with leadership for the great mission of transforming India into an economically prosperous, happy, strong and safe nation before 2020. For that to happen, Hon’ble Members, you have to have a big aim and work for the nation in the Parliament and outside. Hon’ble Members, history will remember you for launching a great, bold and swift mission for the nation, a notable departure from small and fragmented actions.

My best wishes to all of you.

May God Bless you.

JAI HIND.

 

 

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