A Prayer on India’s 70th Independence Day
I wish for my country freedom from poverty, violence and crime against women
I wish for my country freedom from intolerance, religious fanaticism and terrorism
I wish my country freedom from inequality, religion & caste bias, and want equal opportunities to all
I wish for my country freedom from dirty politics, negativity and want positivism & creativity to flourish
I pray that each Indian life is considered precious and there be respect for all citizens in every state
I wish for my country freedom from the environment of gang-rapes and want full security for girl-child and women
I pray for my nation freedom from the misuse of power and authority against individuals as political vendetta
I wish for my country better river water management so that floods do not destroy villages, homes and lives
I wish for my nation an atmosphere of inclusion and a halt to anti-minority and anti-Dalit atrocities
I pray for my country freedom from homelessness, an end to beggary and food for all
I wish for my country freedom from nepotism, favouritism, placement of particular ideologoues in positions where only merit should be the criteria
I wish for my country freedom from the money politics to influence voters in elections to the Parliament and State Assemblies and want only the real representatives of the people to reach Parliament
I wish for my country freedom from horse-trading of elected representatives and toppling of legally elected State governments
I wish for each Indian youth to be blessed with imagination and vision to do something great for the country
I wish for our media freedom from an environment of paid news, fake opinion polls and want news reporting with responsibility
I pray for my country that there be respect for soldiers, farmers, labourers, senior citizens, and the differently-abled in every heart
I pray that in my country art is valued in every home and artists are respected and recognized for their contributions
I wish for my country freedom from bad trading practices, hoarding, artificial price rise and want fair price goods and services to all
I wish for my country fair-play and transparency in Government, Public Sector and the Private Sector
I wish for India to be ranked in the world forums high on good things and not for bad things
I wish for an India where every Indian is recognized for what one is, for one’s contributions to any sphere of public life, rather than be known and awarded only if you know someone important
I wish for my country freedom from river pollution by industrial waste, sewage and want beautiful riversides restoring our Rivers to the mother’s they were to all humanity
I wish for my country freedom from the honour killings of young couples who marry in other castes and religions, and from acid attacks against girls
I pray for an India where governance is such that public life is easy and hurdle free, homes are available at reasonable prices for all, good civic facilities and a noise and pollution free environment in every city
I wish for freedom from corruption in public life starting from the money politicians spend on electioneering and campaigning
I wish for freedom from constantly deteriorating relations with neighbouring countries and peace on our borders
I pray for an India where all citizens respect all religions, where there is no religious bigotry and no individuals belonging to different religions are held back from entering into holy matrimony
I pray for peace in every heart
I pray for my country to be One India, One People!
Wish you a very Happy Independence Day!
