To Gandhi, With Love

Dear Gandhi Ji,

Its been more than 60 years since we’re missing you. I hope that you’re fine up there. Things I’m afraid of, are not so good down here. I apologize for beginning this letter in a cynical manner but that has been the perpetual state of affairs on the land you nurtured till your last breath.

However, you would be pleased to know that you aren’t forgotten. You’re still the father of the nation and make your presence feel on every currency note. There are roads named after you in every prominent Indian city, libraries, museums, schools and colleges all adorn thy name. Even the most notorious drunkards in our holy land observe ‘dry day‘ on your birthday. Moreover, the most corrupt bureaucrat behaves like a Gandhian this day ! People go to the extent of watching Richard Attenbourgh’s Gandhi on this public holiday.We, Indians, might forget you for 364 days of an year, but this day, 1.22 billion people chant your name.

Sir, I’m not being sarcastic, but being guileless. This ought to be a candid letter after all, so please bear with it. The ordeal would be worth it !
The India that you’d foreseen some 63 years ago is nothing but a dream still, it’s far from free. The lust of money is ascending at the rate of knots. The youth of this country wants to get rich and fast and adopts ways which are completely condescending to your ideals while the olden generation adopts a moral high ground and discuss more than enacting those points in real life. The literacy rate has improved drastically but still there are children who don’t see schools. The rural Indians still don’t get the fundamental infrastructure whereas in urban India, you see more KFC’s and Mc Donalds than required. Globalization is swallowing our country.

There’s no denial that rapid strides have been made in your absence. We have access to the world through internet and the standard of living has risen. But these changes have been in pockets and the poor, common man has hardly been able to avail them.
Sir, you’d be glad to learn that we won the World Cup in cricket this year and would be hosting the Indian Grand Prix in this month. Isn’t it great ?
The Gandhi legacy are in the power and Rahul Gandhi is the latest scion. But, the legacy is more like an aristocracy. Top ministers forging top scams and depositing tons of cash in Swiss banks. The current state of the politics in the country is deplorable – corruption and tolerance are our prodigious enemies. The vicious cycle that prevails in the socio-economic arena is hindering our development.

Sir, if its feasible in any way, please come down and witness the state of the country. We have a certain Anna Hazare to help you out. You also have the support of the youngistan, who is inspired to bring about a change in your Hindustan. We, the youth might be termed as reckless and impatient by some old wolves who are gobbling this country in the most covert manners possible. We want to act now, before the things get screwed up big time. We want to prove that India being the youth power is not a myth.We can bring about a change. We want to clinch the pride of our motherland from the jaws of our enemy.
Gandhi ji, it was important for me to acquaint you with the elements that fabricate the current India. This all might be difficult for you to believe, but its the bitter truth.
We have a goal, we have our enemy identified, we have an immortal leader in you. We are all set for an Indian revolution.
Even if you cannot come down here and join our struggle, we know that you’re there with us.We haven’t forgotten you and we’ll never forget you.
A happy b’day dear Gandhi ji. Have a great one up there !

Lots of Love & Respects,

A Young Indian
(on behalf of the youth)

Originally published on Gandhi Jayanti

Tags: Anna Hazare, Gandhi, gandhian, Globalization, Hindustan, Independence, Independence Day, indians, literacy, Rahul Gandhi