Freedom 'bole toh'? India's youth want equality and free will
For many, independence is not only about waving the tricolour but also about feeling safe in their own country. Tanisha, a young media professional, says, "Freedom, for me, is about beijng able to walk without any fear of being stalked or harassed on the streets."Further, she adds, "There should be no premium attached to safety. I'm not asking for the moon, just to exist without fear." These are not mere words but expressions that reflect the sentiment of the nation.CUTTING THE INVISIBLE STRINGSThe heart of independence lies in autonomy, where people have the right to think, speak, and steer their lives without being suppressed. Chandana, a student, sums it up: "Independence is being able to speak, think, and move without any restrictions imposed on us." A "free" India gives us all the liberty to exist sans conditions.Taking this forward, Rajpreet, a postgraduate student, adds, "True freedom means my strings can't be pulled at will. That strength, that autonomy, is everything."In a society where personal choices can easily get derailed due to traditions, politics, and unwritten rules of society, these young voices stand firm on their take on freedom.AZAADI MEANS ACTIONFor many young dreamers, freedom is not only an individual concern, but rather it's a mission to change. Freedom to have the power to choose where to live and how to live with an open hand to help others.Ayush, a student pursuing graduation, says, "For me, freedom is to have a choice, to have agency, to be free to live wherever and however I like, to become a person who can help those in need in many aspects, and to be able to ask for help when needed."While for Shubh, pursuing a postgraduate degree from a reputed college in Delhi, it is more implicit: "Crumbling down patriarchy," which, he feels, is essential to achieving equality.advertisementTheir vision of "freedom" is actually a call to action. From dismantling outdated mindsets to supporting each other and standing for their rights, they see freedom as a responsibility to claim, protect, and put into motion every single idea that presents itself to these young minds.This independence is not just a celebration of the past but also a gateway towards a better future.Article by: Priyanka Palta- EndsTune InMust Watch
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Against all odds: On a hilltop in Chhattisgarh's Balrampur; 2 teachers trek 4 hours to keep the tricolour flying high
RAIPUR: High up in the rugged hills of Balrampur district, far from paved roads and city buzz, a little government primary school stood tall with tricolour hoisted top in pride. stands as a quiet beacon of hope. Braving the challenging terrain every single day, two dedicated school teachers in one of the remotest villages in Balrampur district of Chhattisgarh ensure to hoist the national flag on 79th Independence Day. They not only hoisted the national flag with pride but also brought sweets and goodies to celebrate the occasion with students. When there are reports of teachers coming to school drunk and making a mess on premises before the students, this Bachwar school has two teachers who walk nearly four hours every day to keep both the school and the spirit of the education alive. The school, perched on a hilltop in Bachwar village under Khadiya Damar panchayat, has just 13 students — all tribal children from nearby hamlets. But that doesn't deter teachers Pankaj Ekka and Shyam Sai, who have made it their mission to ensure no national festival goes unnoticed in this remote corner of north Chhattisgarh. On August 15, the duo trekked their usual two-hour route through thick forest, across a river, and up a winding pagdandi trail. After hoisting the national flag, they distributed sweets and goodies, turning the school courtyard into a miniature celebration ground. 'For us, it's important that the children feel the same pride and joy in national events as students anywhere else in the country,' says Ekka, who got his first posting at this school in 2010 and never left, even as others sought transfers to more accessible postings. 'The journey isn't easy, but it has become part of our lives.' The challenges are daunting: the path is broken, riddled with potholes, and cut through dense forest. The Channan river, which runs along the way, is mercifully shallow enough to cross, but the surrounding wilderness often makes the teachers uneasy. 'Sometimes the forest gives us goosebumps,' Ekka admits with a smile. There's no kirana shop in the village of 20-25 houses, hence, the teachers have to carry all the I-Day material on their back. Despite the odds, they rarely miss a day. While outsiders may take three hours to reach the school, the teachers, now hardened by routine, do it in two. After teaching Classes 1 to 5, they encourage their students to pursue further studies at nearby residential schools. The school was set up in 2005, and over the years many teachers have left, unwilling to cope with the daily ordeal. But for Ekka and Sai, their commitment has outlasted the hardships. 'Every morning we set out knowing we're not just teaching lessons but also giving these children reasons to dream and explore,' Ekka says. And every Independence Day, as the flag rises against the hilltop sky, those dreams seem just a little closer. District education officer D N Mishra said, 'This is a very touching gesture that teachers are taking such initiatives on a daily basis. I have requested all the teachers in district to ensure that they celebrate national festivals even if they are located in remote areas.' Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Indian Express
5 hours ago
- Indian Express
Sanitation drives in Delhi's slum clusters, commercial hubs, public toilets: How MCD's campaign removed 12,000 tonnes waste daily
The Municipal Corporation of Delhi's cleanliness campaign 'Freedom from Garbage' saw participation from a wide range of stakeholders, including school children, resident welfare associations, market traders, and youth. During this two-week initiative, which ran from August 1 to August 14, around 12,000 tonnes of municipal waste were collected daily, engaging more than 2.6 lakh residents. The corporation also conducted 917 drives in government and office premises, removing 10,692 kg of waste. It conducted special sanitation activities across 1,138 public toilets to ensure hygiene and odour control, and 166 drives in slum clusters for targeted sanitation. Along with this, the drive also cleared 689.63 metric tonnes of waste along railway tracks, while commercial hubs saw 404 night-sweeping drives. The campaign also swept waste along the back lanes, parks and gardens with an average of 3,624 tonnes of construction and demolition waste collected daily. Officials reported an increase of 1,000 tonnes in waste collection daily, bringing the total collection from 11,000 tonnes per day last month to 12,373 tonnes per days this month. In the lead-up to Independence Day, 138 plog runs were conducted, combining jogging with litter picking, engaging 16,691 youth and 1,26,881 students. To enhance the visual landscape of the capital, more than 35,000 posters and banners were removed from public spaces. Additionally, 160 wall beautification projects, including murals and thematic messages about cleanliness, were completed. Alongside garbage cleaning efforts, community awareness drives were held to discourage single-use plastics and promote compliance with the Solid Waste Management Rules of 2016. Additionally, 29,737 plantation drives were carried out from August 6 to 8. The corporation stated that a clean city needs behavioural change. 'The lack of civic sense among many in public who continue to litter garbage and use single use plastic remains a major challenge for the corporation,' read the official statement.
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Time of India
Belagavi's 24x7 drinking water upply reaches new wards
Pics: Minister Satish Jarkiholi inaugurated the water supply trial run in Kanabargi (Belagavi North) on Friday; MLA Abhay Patil opened the water supply scheme at Rani Channamma Nagar (Belagavi South) on Friday evening Belagavi: For over a decade, only 10 out of the 58 wards of the Belagavi City Corporation (BCC) were receiving a 24x7 water supply. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now After 16 years of its implementation, four more wards were added on Friday—two in Belagavi North and two in Belagavi South assembly constituency. According to sources in L&T, which is responsible for the city's water supply, the 24x7 water supply scheme will gradually be extended to the remaining wards. In the initial demonstration project, the Karnataka Urban Water Supply Modernisation Project (KUWSMP) commenced under BCC in March 2008. The project started with 10 demo zones, providing 24x7 water to approximately 11,000 tap connections. It is now being extended to the entire city. The project involves laying new pipelines, establishing new water connections, and improving the overall water supply infrastructure. The Karnataka Urban Infrastructure Development and Finance Corporation (KUIDFC) is overseeing the project, with private companies like Larsen and Toubro (L&T) taking on various roles in implementation and operation. In a significant step towards ensuring equitable and reliable water supply, the KUIDFC and L&T commissioned a 24x7 water supply in the Belagavi South and North areas on the occasion of Independence Day. The project, undertaken under the KUWSMP, aims to provide a 24x7 pressurised water supply to households in the identified zones. In Belagavi South Abhay Patil, MLA of Belagavi South, inaugurated the water supply scheme at Rani Channamma Nagar Stage 1 & 2, at Zone No: 6 and 3A. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The inaugural event was graced by BCC mayor Mangesh Pawar, deputy mayor Vani Vilas Joshi dignitaries, and area residents. Presently, around 1,500 households will receive a daily water supply, and after a trial run, both zones will be provided with continuous, pressurised, round-the-clock water supply. In Belagavi North Satish Jarkiholi, minister for public works, inaugurated the 24x7 water supply trial run in Zone No. 26 A & B of Kanabargi. Asif (Raju) Sait, MLA Belagavi North, Belagavi MPJagadish Shettar, MLC Channaraj Hattiholi and ward corporators were present. This initiative will benefit around 2,000 households with continuous, pressurised water supply after a trial run. This initiative ensures households receive 24x7 water supply with adequate pressure, assured quality, and reliable frequency, providing long-awaited relief to residents who previously faced irregular and inadequate water distribution. Shashikumar S Hatti, executive engineer of the project implementation unit, said that the 24x7 water supply commissioning will enhance residents' quality of life in Belagavi by providing reliable and consistent water, marking a major milestone in the region's journey to equitable water access. The project is expected to be completed in the coming years, with a target of providing 87,000 tap connections.
