Quotations - Essay Example

The terms freedom and independence have only the beginning and no end. People are inclined to forget the history easily and as such vigilance on all fronts is the foremost requirement expected of the people in a democratic country. People build the nation, and if it breaks in any area people are responsible. No nation is lucky enough to get honest and dedicated leaders at all periods of its history. The world of politics is full of corrupt people waiting for their opportunities for aggrandizement of wealth at the cost of the people. As such people need to be constantly aware of the historical events that culminated in independence and the tough and arduous road to independence and its significance. The essential difference between struggle for independence and post-independent struggles: Take the example of America or any other country that attained independence from the colonial rule. In the pre-independence period of turbulence, the working classes and the masses, play the pivotal role and suffer maximum. They express their solidarity with the leaders who lead them and follow their clarion calls for protests, marches and strikes. Before independence, the leaders enjoy mass support of the people, as only one goal is presented before them, that of securing independence. The levels of emotions and enthusiasm are high and people are ready for sacrifices in the true sense of the term. They have a cause for the sacrifice, the heart for the sacrifice, the grit and heroism for the sacrifice as they see a bright picture before them when the period for sacrifice is over as the dream-day of independence dawns. But the subsequent developments that take place are tough for the leadership to negotiate, as people desire rewards for their efforts and they have high expectations. The consequence of failure of leadership: Post-independence era is the tough time for the leadership and their true mettle is tested. In the working class struggle, leadership of different ideologies tries to usurp the positions of responsibility. Strikes and disturbances erupt and under provocation from the motivated leaders, wanton destruction of national properties take place that results in acute dislocation of societal norms. Intimate friends during the struggle of independence become bitter enemies. The common people find it difficult to take the decision, the type of leadership they have to follow. This is the testing time for the people and they have to decide what type of leader they are going to support. They need to act with a sense of unity and purpose. People have a great role to play in the task of building a free and just society. Recollection of the past is sweet the future prospects look sour: Slavery is a hated word and no citizen would like to revert to the pre-independence era. But looking at the present conditions, doubts arise in the minds people and they pose a self-addressed question as to what have we gained from independence? This question is the beginning of discontent and not very healthy for the growth of the country. Lofty ideals like pride and dignity cannot be nurtured on the empty stomachs of the people. People expect improvements in the standard of life and the standard Read More