Independence for me is........

“Independence is the mark of an educated man to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” - Aristotle

Different people have different connotations for the term ‘Independence’ in their life. It might be the freedom to play video games for a 10 year old or to get to stay in a nuclear family for a daughter-in-law. Everyone has his/her own definition of this term and describe it in relation one’s own circumstances.

However, as Aristotle puts it, I think it’s the discretion that one gets to maintain, to stick to his own opinions and ideas, that marks “Independence”. In this ‘utilitarian’ society, the freedom to lend wings to your imagination, let it fly high…..high into the sky, is independence. To express oneself to the world, without any ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’ is independence. To act as per your heart’s commands, without fearing the society reactions is independence.

After 15^th August 1947, our country not only got the freedom from the Brits ruling over them but also got the freedom to THINK rationally. Indians had then got the independence to put their intentions into thoughts, thoughts into ideas and ideas into actions. It was then that those actions brought progress to the country and its countrymen. Since then we are on the road of success, progressing with each passing day, each passing moment.

Thinking about this, I am reminded of the Water Cycle diagram that we used to study in our Environmental class in school, wherein we were taught how things are inter-dependent on each other to function normally. Independence of the country resulted in the independence of individuals and thus liberation their thought process and ideas. The least that, we, as individuals, can do is respect what our national leaders did for us. Today’s India, with the rise of the ‘Delhi Metro era’, the flyovers, sky reaching buildings, growth of MNC’s should owe it all to them.

Talking on the personal front, the freedom of expression and the liberty to put forth my point of view defines independence at my workplace; the freedom to choose my way of living and take decisions of my life (my life partner, my choice of career, my likes and dislikes) defines independence at home. Basically, my independence is MY SPACE!!

I respect the people around me and believe that they always mean my good in whatsoever they tell me. However, following Aristotle, I maintain my circumspection. So this is what expounds INDEPENDENCE for me…