The Hindu ’s first editorial in independent India was a riveting read (“A Red-Letter Day”, August 15). Notwithstanding our seven decades of a tryst with freedom, these erudite and insightful words are still relevant. Defeating the communal parasites and giving minorities their political freedom and economic opportunities without discrimination or disdain are of paramount importance and the responsibility of the state. Freedom is also about restructuring our economic policies of resource allocation. Economic freedom must also be supplemented by political freedoms that constitute the basic principles of a relationship between the state and the citizen in a modern, progressive democracy. The Prime Minister has envisaged a developed and progressive India by 2022 which includes defeating corruption, poverty, illiteracy and malnutrition. This is possible only in an ecosystem where citizens participate enthusiastically with the state. If the pace of purposeful welfare initiatives are positively sustained and governments at both levels show the fortitude to usher in political and economic reforms in the coming days, “we, the people” will have substantial and cogent reasons to celebrate more exuberantly the 75th occasion of our Independence.
Bibhuti Das,
New Delhi
