HYDERABAD: On the eve of India’s 76th Independence Day, people residing in Hyderabad, across all spectrums of society, including natives of other states staying in the city for work, shared their hope for a peaceful country, given the violence in Haryana and Manipur.
Kimboi Lunkin, a PhD student of HCU, a Manipur native, said, “Every year, we celebrate Independence Day with a feeling of pride, but this time, it is different. My home was burnt and my family was left homeless; we do not have a roof over our heads I do not have a home where I can hold the flag. This is the 76th Independence Day, but we still do not have the feeling of freedom and independence. My people in Manipur are fighting for their lives so there is no celebration for us this year.”
Paojakhup Guite, an HCU graduate, also a Manipur native, said, “Even as we celebrate the 76th year of Independence, there is still no freedom. The rights of tribals in Manipur have been infringed upon and even there is no press freedom. It is very unfortunate to see the gravity and magnitude of violence in my home state. We are not illegal immigrants, but very much residents of India, whose forefathers fought against the British in the freedom struggle, including the Anglo-Kuki war and in the Indian National Army with Subhas Chandra Bose. But unfortunately, we are being driven from our homes even and have to fight for our rights.”
Pratham Ahuja, a PR professional from Gurugram in Haryana, said, “For me, the 76th Independence Day holds profound significance amid the recent unrest. The riots in Gurugram underscore the ongoing need for unity and harmony. As the turmoil subsides, Independence Day serves as a reminder of the hard-fought freedom that India achieved through collective struggle. It symbolizes the resilience of the nation and the values of tolerance, diversity, and democracy. It's an opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices of the past and renew the commitment to a peaceful, inclusive society.”
Turaab Mirza, of Badshahpur in Haryana, said that the recent violence in Haryana served as a sombre reminder of the shared responsibility of citizens to promote harmony and unity.
“These incidents highlight how crucial it is to promote tolerance and understanding in our multicultural society. We reaffirm our dedication to a peaceful coexistence, where differences are celebrated rather than exploited by drawing lessons from the past. As we advance, let us pay tribute to the sacrifices made by our forefathers by cooperating to create a country that values kindness, empathy, and respect for every person, making sure that events like this are relegated to the past,” said Turaab.
In a survey conducted by LocalCircles, a social media community platform, people across India also shared their views on how the country will shape up in the next five years.
In a survey of 376 districts across India, with 80,000 responses, it found that 55 per cent believed that India will be able to deliver on growth and prosperity by 2027, while 37 per cent believed that India would be free of corruption and bribery in the next four years.
However, only 45 per cent of the citizens said that social stability in the country will improve in the next four years, while only 1 in 3 people expressed hope for new work opportunities.
