Dear Mahatma Gandhi,
On the occasion of your 143rd birthday, here are some thoughts about how our nation has evolved in the past 66 years.
You once said “A man is but the product of his thoughts, what he thinks, he becomes.”
Well, in that case, today, the final product would not be of any value. What we think today should not really be acted upon.
Every man today yearns for you. Not because you freed our country, but because you are on every banknote. There are roads named after you, television programmes and movies about you.
However the realities of today won’t make u feel proud. The years that you spent trying to free our country have crumbled to dust, because we are far from free.
We still are one of the poorest nations in the world. The youth that should be representing our country is delighted to work for “white” men. I believe we need you to ameliorate the conditions of our country, and bring about the change that was brought upon us 66 years ago.
You were the magic man of Asia, an apostle of non-violence and a preacher of truth. But, today the magic has faded and violence is the only way through.
Perhaps, it is on the basis of dishonesty that we flourish.
Your entire life was one of service and sacrifice, of devotion and dedication. If only one of the leaders today could abide by your principles and values, and maybe I would not be writing a letter criticizing our nation.
There has been growth, and India is considered the second-best (next only to China) in terms of economic development. Many people who are at the helm of affairs now have served India for decades, maybe with good intentions.
But obviously, they don’t want to accept they screwed up.
If only we had the courage to own up to things, maybe then we could remember you without any shame and regret.
Sincerely,
Natasha Mansukhani
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