India celebrated its 59th independence day today (58 years of independence). Some cynic would say, that the republic is already old and it should prepare for its retirement (as a republic, India is 55 something). More optimists would say that India has learnt over the years, and the people and leadership and the republic as a whole has become more matured. At the same time the world has also transformed itself. The world has become global village. People and socities have transcended the parochial political boundaries to innovate, progress and make money for themselves. India today vibes in economic progress and peace initiatives with its neighbours. While the weaker spots still remains - the dissatisfaction and militancy in different parts of the country. Though these are small pockets - but economic progress has definitely not reached them forcing such sections and areas to take the forbidden aggresive path.

This independence day came seasoned with the new film on Mangal Pandey who is credited with starting the 1857 revolt - British historians call that mutiny, but the 1857 events is now seen as India’s first war of independence, at least by Indian historians. Except for some of the song and dance sequences that could well have been dispensed with, the film was well made (at least from cinematography point of view). It well captures the dynamics of Indian people and society and its relation to the British both at the personal and the regime level. However from strictly historic point of view regarding the various events shown, the film may seem to be laced with fiction that is woven around its main character. The film makers clearly declare in the beginning of the film that folklore and legends surround such heroes…

The film made very subtle statements, without the shout that usually characterises the patriotic genre of Bollywood. The most important statement perhaps was the concept of Atma Samman (self respect). In one of the final scenes, Mangal Pandey (who is depicted as a loyal soldier of the East India Company) declares to one of his superior bosses (with whom he has good relations at personal level), that now no more its the question of bullets with greased fat (the issue that really triggered the whole event), the issue is now of having the self-respect - and if for self respect even if he has to bite such greased bullets, he would do it willingly. (The best eye capturing scenes of the film were the attack by the Afghans on the East India Co. army during one of the Afghan wars in the beginning of the film, and the next was the arrival of the British armada from Burma to suppress the mutiny in the end of the film)

Perhaps in todays situation, though we are free, there are many enemies that have a stranglehold over the people, particularly the ruling class - the most dangerous of that is corruption. As a previous editor of a national daily put it, corruption is like dust - however sophisticated pollution control device you install, it cannot be curbed. I would say, corruption is like the white ant, which is invisible, but is eating the country from within. We listen to all sorts of stories where even the relief material for flood affected people or materials for drought relief is siphoned away by people responsible for its distribution. Corruption has not only created imbalance, but is a dangerous rot that we have to fight.

History has shown that regimes, and societies that have become corrupt, they do not last long. Now that India’s independence is nearing the sexagenarian years, we as people should reaffirm our self respect and do things so as to free ourselves from the modern day enemies, that are much more dangerous than the British imperialism was. The old imperialism is anyway dead.

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