Freedom-- From What?

"Freedom from fear is the freedom I claim for you my countrymen..."said Tagore.Fifteenth August provides us with yet another opportunity to introspect how many types of fears have we conquered over these61 years.while the entire world is currently seized with genuine fear of Islamic Terrorism India is no stranger to it.Right from the day the first Mullah led his hordes through the Khyber Pass in 10th century AD our very existence as a free nation has been eroded and Islamic Terrorism has been consuming people and property in snowy mountains to shopping malls and has now entered into hospitals aswell.On the Independence Day, from VVIPs to 'aam admi' every one had to be scouting for the lurking 'Jihadi' .This fear will continue till the last Jihadi walks into 'jannat'.Kashmir has become the embodiment of fear psychosis of late.It is becoming a malignant tumour in the head of our nation.The POK is beyond our bounds'de facto' and is likely to become 'de jure'too what with the political establishment on the verge of recognising the current LOC as the international border with Pakistan,though the constitution forbids any part of soveign India including POK.By Article370 J&K is exempt from many laws that are applicable to the rest of the country.Many other constitutional provisions are declared redundant .The operation of even the 'residual'laws are subject to the approval of the J&K Assembly!It means invariably that the state can over rule the Centre__an Independence within an Independence!The present turmoil raging in Jammu-Kashmir,--rather Jammu Vs Kashmir is over the denial of India's land for the use of Indian citizens!What about 'Economic Freedom'?Though politicians shout from roof tops that more and more people arerising above poverty line,they have few takers.The truth is that the 'booming middle class' is chasing goods and services that it does not need.Where can one expect economic freedom when the middleclass has bartered it to a virtually life long EMI?According to the "aam common man",borrowing is better than begging and a better moral option than stealing.What about the huge chunk of the population thatare in bondage to poverty?Even 60 years of quotas,quotas and more quotas not to speak of free colour TVs,have brought little succour to the truly oppressed.The entire nation has again no freedom from corruption.How we wish that we get our driving licenses and ration cards from lifeless robots that work rather than from a bored clerk doesn't!And with robots the grease will not be on the palm at least!MERA(FREE)BHARAT MAHAN! (Inspired by an article in a local newsletter)