The flame was always bright
in the hearts and minds of many
in the pre-independence days
Rekindled every time it flickered
with doubt or despair
by so many stalwarts
Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, Bose
and many unsung patriots
at the district, taluk levels!
Though independence was only the beginning
many saw it as the end of journey
mission accomplished- now, bask in the freedom
each for his own, run to the finishing point
of wealth, glory for self, one's own
What about the masses?
the majority of the citizens
illiterate, ignorant, unaware of their rights
" Well, just keep them where they are
how else will we lord over them
as we always have, with assistance
of super weapon, feudalism"
73 years of freedom- India claims progress
technological advances, success
even in big space pursuits
yet, for the vast majority living in rural India
or in slums of urban India
nothing seems to have changed
it is business as usual!
Who will light the flame of freedom this time
freedom for all of India, not just pockets of India
freedom from poverty, illiteracy, indignity?
We no longer have leaders
of the stature of stalwarts of yore
only Aaya Rams and Gaya Rams
who neither have the willingness
or the ability for the long haul
May the rekindled flames, in millions of hearts
ignite a fire so bright, so powerful
that it swallows up all challenges, obstacles
giving us a prosperous, educated India
an abundant India , its abundance
visible in each and every home
of our great nation!
in the hearts and minds of many
in the pre-independence days
Rekindled every time it flickered
with doubt or despair
by so many stalwarts
Gandhi, Nehru, Patel, Bose
and many unsung patriots
at the district, taluk levels!
Though independence was only the beginning
many saw it as the end of journey
mission accomplished- now, bask in the freedom
each for his own, run to the finishing point
of wealth, glory for self, one's own
What about the masses?
the majority of the citizens
illiterate, ignorant, unaware of their rights
" Well, just keep them where they are
how else will we lord over them
as we always have, with assistance
of super weapon, feudalism"
73 years of freedom- India claims progress
technological advances, success
even in big space pursuits
yet, for the vast majority living in rural India
or in slums of urban India
nothing seems to have changed
it is business as usual!
Who will light the flame of freedom this time
freedom for all of India, not just pockets of India
freedom from poverty, illiteracy, indignity?
We no longer have leaders
of the stature of stalwarts of yore
only Aaya Rams and Gaya Rams
who neither have the willingness
or the ability for the long haul
"The only way is for all of us
to look for and draw from deep within
the strength, inspiration, passion
to rekindle love for our motherland
May the rekindled flames, in millions of hearts
ignite a fire so bright, so powerful
that it swallows up all challenges, obstacles
giving us a prosperous, educated India
an abundant India , its abundance
visible in each and every home
of our great nation!
NB: I recited this poem on 22nd November 2020. at the Yercaud (online) Ignite poetry fest 2020
Very nicely written Sir!!
ReplyDeleteThe flame will definitely rekindle among all for our motherland. Jaihind.
Thank you so much for your feedbach Abhishek! ( Although your comment is indicated under "Unknown", I presume it is you). So happy you related to the post and liked it.
ReplyDeleteInnate firepower is the beginning to reach the goal and the intensity of flame keeping the ongoing process easier. Fantastic poem linking the past and present. Let the flame be brighter in the days to come. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot sir for your appreciation and feedback!
ReplyDeleteIf we all learn to look deep within a lof problems will vanish. Nice thoughts here.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for responding to this post!
ReplyDelete