In today’s Times of India, Bangalore Edition, a news item is published which portrays the sad plight of the education system in the country. An elementary school in Hanumantnagar, Hubli, the home town of the Karnataka Chief Minister Jagdish, is functioning in a toilet. There is no drinking water facility, no play-ground and no other facilities required for a school. A photo of the toilet building is also published.

This is not an isolated case. In many states, there are schools without even class rooms, only a small room for the office. Children study in the open air, below the trees. Schools are not there for many miles in the tribal areas. Illiteracy in the country is still very high even compared to many African countries.

On the one side the government is spending millions by granting huge subsidies to the corporates and  big business for maximising their profit. But on the other side, it does not feel the necessity even to provide the basic necessities to the downtrodden.

This is the condition in our country even after 65 years of Independence. It is not only political Independence that India wants, it should be financial and social Independence also so that the crores of underprivileged in the country feel that freedom has something for them also.