Turning Sixty-One

I remember, six years ago, observing India's anniversary of Independence for the very first time from outside my country. I had just gone through a trying patch with some people and was tired of butting my head against their stone walls of prejudice and injustice. On the 15th of August 2002, from my desk at Maryland, I wrote an email to my friends and loved ones, talking of how free India may have turned fifty-five but the true meaning of freedom still eluded most of her people, the "educated white-collar middle-class" included. Freedom is only achieved when we can rationalize our experiences without giving in to any form of external pressure. Freedom is freedom only when we are free to question. Freedom is when one can choose what to do now or tomorrow without being forced - by the guns of a gangster or the emotional blackmail of a parent or the pleading of a friend, no matter the choice or the issue. Freedom from the British didn't include freedom from class prejudices, religious or cultural divides. Those were always up to us to cultivate, and unfortunately, we haven't always done a good job with that.

I still maintain those ideas; however, over the years, I have realized how difficult it is for a "normal" Indian, having been brought up with those prejudices, to leave them at adulthood. More than ever, I realize that my parents understood the true definition of freedom early on, and have tried to follow those concepts and have successfully imparted them, not only to Pigglett and me, but also to many other youngsters along the route. I'm glad for that and I hope I can hold that torch up for as long as I exist.

As for my battle of six years ago, I still have to fight it, but I'm now old enough to make the allowances for my "opponents" that culture and society dictate, and I believe I have acquired a sense of self and level of maturity enough to handle that situation with the delicacy it deserves. Although, I hope that they have, too. That will give me hope for sixty-two and beyond!