Posted on by Pinkii Bakshi

In Freedom, We Hope

I had just started reading the book Laxmi Panda when my phone buzzed with the weekly email notification from Blogchatter. The theme for the weekly Blogchatter Bloghop was Happy Independence Day. My mind was already unsettled, and perhaps that’s why I began thinking about the topic more deeply than usual.

Normally, I would write happy, inspiring stories for such a theme. But that day, my thoughts leaned toward the other side. The Harsh Truth. I had just read something in the book that left me pained, and the idea of penning a cheerful independence story felt impossible in that moment.

Let me share the passage that moved me, in my words:

Laxmi Panda, the youngest spy in the INA, was working as a domestic worker in Jeypore, Odisha, struggling to make ends meet. This was revealed by her grandson, Probin Raj Patro, in 2008, in Bangalore when he was visiting all newspaper offices to draw attention to his freedom-fighter grandmother’s plight. As a consequence and with the help of Anil Dhir, historian and researcher, she visited Delhi, finally living the INA dream of “Dilli Chalo”. There she was conferred with the Rashtriya Swatantrata Samman along with a pension. Unfortunately, the recognition came too late. She passed away on October 7, 2008, just days after the announcement.

My eyes welled up as I read it. A woman who had risked everything for India’s freedom had been forgotten, left to struggle for survival in the very country she had helped liberate. What a shame. Had the author of the book “Laxmi Panda” Savie Karnel not brought her story to light, she might have died without anyone ever knowing about her sacrifices.

That thought set off a chain reaction in my mind. I found myself asking a question that might stir an ache in all of us:

Would the citizens and the freedom fighters who struggled so hard for our freedom, the freedom we so often take for granted, be proud of us today?

Would they look at independent India with joy, or with disappointment? I may never know for certain. But I do know this , our freedom was not a gift; it was earned through blood, sweat, and countless sacrifices.

And today, it’s worth asking ourselves: have we truly honoured that freedom, or have we exploited it?

Modern India faces modern battles. The chains of colonialism may have been broken, but new chains have been forged in their place. Unemployment hangs heavy over the dreams of millions. Young graduates, full of ambition and ideas, often find themselves waiting endlessly for opportunities that never come. It’s not a lack of talent, but a lack of open doors, that crushes their spirit.

Religious bigotry, too, has seeped into our soil. Once, during the freedom struggle, Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, and Christians stood shoulder to shoulder under one tricolour. Now, cracks threaten to divide that unity. Our diversity, that is our nation’s pride, the diversity that is meant to be celebrated as India’s greatest strength, is now easily fuelled by misunderstandings.

When and why did we become so intolerant? Intolerant of fellow humans, intolerant of animals, and intolerant of our differences.

Corruption continues to eat away at the moral fabric of our nation. From petty bribes to scams worth thousands of crores, it erodes trust and weakens justice. Dirty politics sometimes puts personal ambition before the national interest. Governance has become a contest for power rather than a service to the people.

The safety of women is still a concern in this independent and modern India. Slowly but eventually, people are observing and breaking free of the patriarchy that is so deeply ingrained in our society even today. Media, which is responsible for showing the truth, is reduced to nothing less than drama serials.

My mind goes into a spiral. The more I think, the more disappointed I feel. And that’s when my mind tries to look for the silver lining in the dark clouds. Maybe all is not lost.

I see young entrepreneurs daring to dream and create, putting India on the global map. I see scientists and engineers pushing boundaries — reaching Mars, building satellites, and creating solutions for rural India. I see farmers who, despite countless hardships, feed a billion people. I see ordinary citizens who, in moments of crisis, become extraordinary heroes, rushing to help strangers in floods, pandemics, or disasters, without expecting anything in return.

I know, merely focusing on the positives won’t make the negatives disappear. That’s why, I believe, there might be 99 positive stories, but it is time we focus on that 1 problem that our country is struggling with.

Our freedom fighters dreamed of an India where justice, equality, and dignity belonged to every citizen. That dream is still alive, but it is our responsibility to nurture it. If we can rise above hatred, stand firmly against corruption, and work for the nation rather than just for ourselves, we can build an India that honours their sacrifice and inspires future generations.

One day, when the story of modern India is told, I wish it narrates that the future generations have made its freedom fighters proud.

PS: This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
in collaboration with Mads’ Cookhouse.

PS: This post is part of #BlogchatterBlogHop

24 Replies to “In Freedom, We Hope”

  2. This felt real and honest. It reminds us that freedom wasn’t just about big names in history but also about the many forgotten people who fought, and remembering them is what keeps that hope alive.

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  3. When I read about Laxmi Panda, I was also surprised that she has never been mentioned, though she and her friend did so much for the country’s freedom—a country where she didn’t live and yet wanted to get it liberated because it was hers. How many of us would do that? The country is indeed in new chains, and I hope we are able to get rid of them to make those who earned this freedom for us proud.

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  5. Be the change that you want to see. Mahatma Gandhi’s words echo in my mind every time I encounter the thoughts that you have penned. We can’t change the entire society and the concept of what this freedom is. We can however, in our own way be the change– little values that we share in our daily lives with our helpers at home and in our interactions. We can be the change, honour women like Laxmi Panda by writing about them–as you have done. If we let a handful of men in power turn our harmony into chaos, then we should work on removing the people who spread the chaos. Take the example of Nepal’s recent crisis. The world isn’t designed to be a utopia, unless we all take all the steps we can. Yes, I am going to read this book as well.

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    1. Yes, true! But at times seeing the bigger picture, the small contributions we do daily feels negligible but kehte hai na boond boond se sagar banta hai so may be collectively our small deeds may bring significant changes some day. Thanks for your kind and encouraging words.

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  6. I had read about Laxmi Panda as a child but it was just a mention, I would certainly like to know more about her through this book.

    While most of the freedom fighters would have found happiness in seeing the success of India on world stage and how far we have come in terms of production and technology , I am sure the weakening of our social values and fabric would have broken them a lot. The corruption, casteism, bigotry and deforestation , the state of the tribes would all have made them wonder if it all the struggle and bloodshed was really worth it. But I have hope a sthe new generation takes over, as more sensible and young leaders take world stage we will improve.

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  7. Such relevant, hard-hitting points you’ve made Pinki. Are we worthy of this independence is a question we all must look within ourselves to answer. And that line, “One day, when the story of modern India is told, I wish it narrates that the future generations have made its freedom fighters proud.” just hit the right spot for the patriotic me.

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  10. This is powerful, heartfelt writing. You’ve beautifully balanced truth and hope, weaving history with today’s realities. The reflection feels raw yet inspiring, urging readers to think deeply about freedom’s true meaning.

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  11. More often than not I find myself asking the same question: What would our freedom fighters think of where we’re going right now?

    Have we respected their sacrifices and moulded our behaviour in a fashion that will make them proud? Maybe, maybe not. We have come a long way and have along way to go still. But I’m hopeful that we’re being led in the right direction.

    If only the colonial mindset had left us when they packed their bags too!

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  12. India is said to be the world’s fastest-growing economy and being a world power soon but the downside is that we are the most populated country right now. The people whom we choose to lead us are not from the freedom fighters caliber. They are in their roles for 5 years and their only agenda is to fill their pockets and rake up controversies.

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  14. This was such a moving and inspiring piece! I love how you captured the essence of hope and resilience in the pursuit of freedom. Your words remind us that even in challenging times, hope can guide and uplift us.

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