You have brought to light a very serious issue in a very pertinent manner, I say. Lives are, indeed, cheaply bought and sold here despite our tallest protestations of high civilisation which, though much acclaimed, lies in ruins in reality when their application is cipher. Health hazards owing to malnutrition and undernourishment are as endemic here in India as in certain parts of Latin America and Africa where governance has failed and the economic situation is desperate. But ours is a patient country that bears and forbears in the name of the Lord. Must we, therefore, allow things to precipitate till crisis gets out of control?
The alacrity with which we are responding to the corona needs to filter down to other areas as well where the situation is and has been desperate since the last two centuries of colonial consequence and has continued to maintain its inertia even after independence despite pronounced improvement in the situation. But enough is never enough if millions die and millions live living deaths in their hovels and holes. Even today in Chhattisgarh children eat baked grass as staple diet. It moves me to tears that these are the children of India who, despite desperate habits enforced on them by deprivation, live on as savages in terms of needs supplied but as sublime children of the Lord still in terms of gracious acceptance of their lot.
It is for youths like you, educated and energetic, enterprising and enthused by the higher verities of life to take upon your shoulders the responsibility of rebuilding India through your life's labour of love. We are passing out and leaving behind the batons to you for furthering the cause of our country's freedom in real earnest. Swamiji had pinned much hope in the youth to bring about this transformation but much of his dreams of a flourishing future India remains as yet unrealised and waiting for you to bring to fruition.
I leave you with this note and with this hope of a future fulfilment which, by the blessings of Swamiji, you and spirits kindred to you will for sure bring to pass in the days and the years ahead. May our glorious motherland bring forth more of your kind from her golden womb to allow her children to fulfil all that she stands for, all that she has ever stood for and all that she shall shower upon the rest of humanity through her graces ! Vande Mataram !
Written by Sugata Bose
Photo : Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, the finest representation of Indian womanhood who both Swamiji and Netaji adored, the former shedding tears of patriotic love in her name and the latter going on to name his epic regiment of the INA, the Rani Jhansi Regiment.
Shabari Ghosh I'm honoured, Sir. Thank you so much.
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