Nothing should mar India’s image and growth as emerging Super Power
- By H.S. Vedi
As India settles down to celebrate its sixty-fourth Independence Day on August 15, a nation of one billion people will remember with one voice the sacrifice of hundreds and thousands of freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives to liberate the country from the shackles of imperial rule. What a day it was when India woke to freedom which illuminated a resonating ray of hope, in the hearts of its people
I still remember that as a child how we use to carry a tricolur on this day on the vast expanse of Delhi roads in jubilation, signifying we are free people and free to write our destiny. Every Independence day brought a new celebration in each families and even today the fervours remains as it was, the spirit remains soaring.Rising from the dust of partition, the new nation began to write its future with the arsenal of democracy, freedom, secularism and rich plural heritage with undying commitment. It is these strong commitment towards democracy and rule of law that the new nation was able to hold its strength together and marched forward.
“Our biggest strength has been our strong commitment to democracy and that has helped the country to march forward and carve out its place in the comity of the world nation” my friend and former Prime Minister Inder
Kumar Gujral told me once
Truly so, India is emerging as a world power, its economy growing at an astounding rate thanks to the political masters who gave a direction to the nation growth. On this day, I pay my tribute to the Indian first Prime Minister Pandit Nehru who ensured a strong turf for Indian democratic institutions.
As we enter into the 64 year of Independence, this is time for every Indian to feel proud and look forward to see their country playing a major role in the international area, where its voice is heard and respected.
In a few days from now, India would be hosting the Commonwealth Games, a sporting carnival that is sure to catapult the nation image world over. Tragically the game has come under a cloud of controversy with charges of corruption and mismanagement. While there should be no compromise on the issue of corruption. Those who have indulged in corruption have to be brought to books, however mighty he may be. There can be no compromise on this score but the issue should not cast any gloom on the Games. There is enough institution that can handle the charges of corruption and the guilty must be brought to book.
Nothing should come in between to host the event and to make it the best ever, the games are a national pride because at stake is the aspiration and hopes of a billion people who want India to showcase its great organizational capabilities. There can be no dilution on this score and the Indian decision makers have to ensure the smooth sail of the games.
Having said this, the entire nation must now focus its attention to the successful hosting of the Games as it will silence our critics and will prove to the world that India capabilities is unmatched. Not only the government but the entire political dispensation must come together on this issue of national importance
Like a child I would once again wave the national tricolour on the streets when the world will see India hosting the best ever Commonwealth games and thus charting a new road map of growth and developments.
Let us all pray together that India etches its name in golden letters and emerges as one of the great powers in the world, a national that symbolises its rich cultural heritage and string secular edifice.
H.S. Vedi is the Managing Editor and CEO
THE TIMES.
[As published in today issue of The Times, Kuwait's premier weekly newspaper,
as forwarded to gaspar almeida, www.goa-world.com]
