Quotations on the Struggle for Independence - Essay Example

Essay, History and Political Science Topic: Quotations The quotation selected is, “It is rather for us, the living, we here be dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that, from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here, gave the last full measure of devotion --that we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain; that the nation, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people by the people for the people, shall not perish from the earth”.(Lincoln, n. p.) Introduction: Independence is the important landmark in the history of any country. Normally from that day onwards the torch of responsibility is passed on to new hands. It depends, what people do with what they have left and from where they have left. 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 of living and are disappointed that their leaders are not addressing to these issues seriously. At the same time, for all the ills, the leadership alone is not responsible. The challenges of technological advancement in the world market are imposing. Suddenly the leadership may find the economy of the country collapsing for no fault of theirs. When people face constant economic problems and loss of employment, they take to the path of crimes which they consider as the easier route to success. The talented, educated combustible younger generation, on being frustrated at the lack of opportunities and appreciation for their talents, migrates to rich countries. This creates more problems for the political leadership as they find no qualified people to plan and manage the projects. The churning process and the re-think must go on at all times: Democracy demands a price; freedom demands a price. Do not always expect the leaders to pay that price. Do not expect that by shirking responsibility and buttering authorities one can achieve prosperity in life. Even if it results in your individual prosperity, think for a while you have achieved the same at what cost and does it contribute to the well-being of the nation? Think and reflect! Are we alert? Are we responsible? Are we working with a greater sense of purpose, so that the generations to come will not accuse us of complacency and neglect to the national interests? Are we not expected to survive as a Nation for all time to come? The other name for independence is responsibility. The nation demands good citizens with right approaches. Let the leaders be constantly aware that they derive power from the consent of the people and the responsibility of the people does not end by casting a vote at the end of a 4-5 years term of a government. They occupy the ‘Powerful Chairs’ with your grace and do not underestimate yourself that you are a ‘Chair-less Power’! When people awake… Let the leaders know that people are not the problems, they are the solution! If the leaders are unable to find the solution, people need to own the responsibility to find the solution. When the leaders fail, initiate debate, discuss and protest. Roads and highways are not built for the speeding cars alone, let the people surge forward, and let a mass movement take place to open the eyes of the leadership. They need to be given a time-bound chance to correct themselves, and if not the people needs to strike, strike hard and see that there is no need to strike again and again. Step out, step up and act! You are the voice of the nation; you are the important one among the chorus of protest. If they are not doing anything for you, you can do at least one thing for them—just throw them out! Show up, and come out from the four walls of your protective environment. You are a soldier during peace and you need to fight the government not with the gun but with the paper and pen! Test them by protests! Works Cited Lincoln, Abraham. The Gettysburg Address. Transcript of the Nicolay Draft; n. d. November 19, 1863 [corematerials.homestead.com]Core 102 The Idea of Democracy. The Core Faculty of Roger Williams University, Drawn from the Faculties of History and Political Science. 2007-2008 Academic Year... Web: http://corematerials.homestead.com/Accessed on May 12, 2013 Read More