My Best Wishes and Greetings to all Comrades, Friends and Well-Wishers on the 64th Republic Day of india!
India won Independence on 15th August 1947, but was declared a Sovereign Democratic Republic on 26th Janaury 1950, after the adoption of the Constitution.
India was attacked and conquered by many foreign powers for centuries, including Alexander, Chengis Khan,Timur, the slave kings and afterwards by Babur, the Moghul. While most of the conquerors went back and entrusted their lieutenants to rule the conquered territories, the Moghuls settled and ruled the country from 1526 to 1857 with the capital changing from Agra to Fatehpur Sikri to Lahore and last to Delhi. The Mughal empire had become weak even before 1857 and emperor was only a nominal head even before many decades. The end came in 1857, after the First War of Independence was suppressed by the British and captured the last Emperor Bahadur Shah Zaffar and extradicted him to Rangoon where he died.
The British ruled the country for about two centuries. The First War of Independence could not succeed in defeating the British due to various factors including that the British had a well disciplined army with modern weapons as also they managed to divide the Indian rulers through dubious methods and mischievous agreements. Though initially the Sepoys and their leaders had victories and took Delhi and other major centres, they could not sustain and keep them. The defeat was total and the nominal head, Bahadur Shah Zaffar was taken prisoner. Most of the other military leaders like Rani Laksmi Bai, Tantia Topi and others fell in the battle field.
The rule of the British, compared to the Mughals, was for a shorter period, less than two centuries. But the change that they brought was much more. To a certain extent, they united the country adding kingdom after kingdom to their empire, and keeping nominal powers to the others who supported them. The British brought the new educational system, high taxation, Postal, telegraph and railway services. They made India their colony for exploitation. They used the Indians for their army to conquer other parts of the world. They suppressed the national movements with bruteness. India was the Kohinoor on the throne of the British Empire.
Through out the period of the British Rule there has been revolts in various parts of the country by local rulers/kings who defied the empire.But the British defeated them all one after another. The next round of independence struggle came after the formation of the Indian National Congress in 1885. It achieved the form of a struggle with mass participation after Gandhiji arrived on the scene. The first half of 20th century saw the continuous struggles led under the leadership of Gandhiji. Though many leaders differed on the approach and methods adopted by Gandhiji at crucial times, the movement went ahead on the line directed by Gandhiji only. The sacrifices of lakhs of people and martyrs like Shahid Bhagat Singh, Chandrasekhar Azad and many others did not go vain. British had to leave and India became independent on 15th August 1947.
More than sixty decades are over after India became free and a democratic republic. But have we been able to live up to the expectations of the pioneers of freedom movement? Have been able to ensure a comfortable living to common people, free from hunger and poverty? Whether all children, irrespective of colour or creed, rich or poor are able to learn and take their right position in the society?
While development has taken place, it is slow. The benefit of the progress in various sectors have been captured and utilsed by the rich and powerful. The downtrodden and the toiling masses continue with out much advancement. In fact, they are neglected despite many government programmes for their upliftment. The recent gang-rape in Delhi and other places have shown that girls and women are not safe. Communalism is raising its ugly head poisoning the society.
Yes, there is an urgent need for change, a change for the better. Let all of us try to be part of a movement for change for the better for the people of this country!
Once again My Best Wishes and Greetings on the Republic day!