In-dependence?

                   Like clockwork, in India every August 15TH ,we greet one another “Happy Independence day”. Each nation celebrate them on the day of special historical importance. To us, it was handing over of Indian administration by colonial Britain to India. We never pause for a moment to think what sort of independence have we attained or enjoy. Like numerous other days commemorating and remembering numerous other occasions independence day has also been relegated to just another festive. An moment to express our patriotic zeal and reiterate our commitments to Indian nation. Let  us take a moment to contemplate and consider how truly independent we are.

                   Liberty, freedom and independence are the corner stones on which most nations and civilisations thrive. Karl marx defined independence as freedom for wants and necessities. He envisaged a collective community that panders to individuals needs. Amartya Sen has defined freedom as capacity building. Hegel, who hailed state as the 'March of god on earth' considered obedience and compliance to the state as true freedom. Gandhiji considered swaraj, a stateless society as the ideal independent state. Let’s keep aside what scholars, philosophers, political, theorists, psychologists, explain and ask  ourselves what is independence to us individually and a nation collectively.

                  We may have conceived various answers. To a kid, being allowed to play cricket or watch television might define thier independence. As they grow, so does the notion of independence. From a monolithic notion it forms a multi-level dream, which only few ever achieve.

                   Society, Culture, Family, Job, Economic needs place effective restrictions upon us as an individual. Unhindered independence of an individual might effectively destroy the social fabric. Even our fundamental rights come are enjoyable only with reasonable restrictions. Absolute right of one person would infringe into those of others.  Rousseau conceptualisied that people surrenders some of their rights (read independence ) to come together collectively and live under an established authority. Aristotle, commented that to live without state(read social interactions) one must either be God or beast!

                      Cultural and social habits such as diet, attire, language have caused a natural affinity towards them. Primary socialisation at home and school  shape much of our world view. We not only inherit the ancestral knowledge but their biases and prejudices as well. Gramsci had theorised that this social indoctrination makes the status quo hegemonic. They are accepted as common sense. Any deviations from established social conventions are frowned upon.

                      In India, caste forms an unique  form of oppressive regime. Despite, economic mobility there is no concomitant social mobility. Irrespective of your academic or entrepreneurial accomplishments caste remains the primary social identification. One only needs to glance the matrimonial columns of a newspaper to understand egalitarian India's spirit.

                       Most people are not able to achieve even economic independence in India. US,had got the status of 'the land of dreams' by guaranteeing economic liberty. It is sad that despite India’s  adoption of market economic modal and riding the globalization wave we have fallen short. Lack of education, skill and employment opportunities inhibit individuals to actualize their full potential.

                      Even individuals who have get themselves a job are more often then not unhappy  and feel underutilized. NITI Ayog in its three year Agenda Plan for action has brought out that India's major challenge is underemployment rather than unemployment.  Jobs and money, which emancipated the American folk has effectively enslaved individuals in India. Strick labour laws, agreements and contracts restrict and inhibit free will. Their lives revolve around boss management, punctuality, attending meetings. Our fragile independence is so easily transferred. There's a quote that the Englishman needn't be paid a bribe considering what he will do without the bribe, there is no necessity of bribing him. Perhaps that's the same reason why slavery was abolished. The forefathers should have  concluded liberty, freedom and independence can itself be used to enslave individuals. 

                      Mordern technology especially mobiles and computer have not only enabled us to stay interconnected but even remotely administered. Work from home option is the further expansion which recognises that there is less need for the individual to be physically present to be monitored and controlled by the employer. Also, the company's resources are conserved. The employee too has greater self satisfaction and inner motivation which drive them to contribute more to the company. Thus, we take our work with us to home and remain employed 24x7. A recent study concluded that Indians are one of the most overworked and in desperate need for a vacation. Time to take a break?

                      Let's consider physiological independence, how free are our thoughts and imagination. Herbert Marcuse has pointed out at 'the policeman inside us'. The moral voice which directs and guides us. This voice per se is beneficial, but what is frightening is how easily this voice could  be manipulated and subjugated. Advertisers have understood the power of this subconscious messaging. Most of the advertisements are less direct at us but to the inner voice. Theodore Androno theorized that folk music has been deliberately destroyed by beats and sound. He says this is done by capitalists to destroy our ability to think.

                      Hegel had categorized family as on arena of altruism. Feminists, brought out a scathing attack against him and brought to fore the dark side of familial setup. They have studied the oppression of women and lack of economic remuneration for domestic and care work. Women have had to fight every inch for their women have independence. Even parental responsibilities are preponderantly thrust upon women.  Feminists have distinguished between gender and  sex .They have criticised the social constructs and myths  associated with sex. Simone de Bevour expressed it as, "One is not born women,but becomes one".

                      Children are one of the most vulnerable in society. The early years act as a make or break moment. CAT scans have shown significant differences in brain structure of deprived and abused children. Kids in their initial years need to be cared for and pampered. Human babies are one of the most vulnerable mammals at birth. It taken around an year for our first baby steps. In contrast, a calf after a few minutes of birth is on its foot and ready to outrun predators. Post-natal care and dependence on parents puts children with almost no independence.

                      Men, the alpha male dominating the patriarchal society, fare significantly better than women and children. But, old age brings them to their knees. Time, it catches us with everything. It makes strong weak and weak strong. Thus, when children grow independent, adults grow dependent. Social security provisions such as pension give some economic security. Elderly people seek emotional security and sanctuary, which are elusive in today's fast moving world. Economic and social opportunities have increased nuclear families. Social connections have been redefined by Facebook and whatsapp.

                     The treaty of Westphalia 1648, had recognized nation states sovereign independent entities in the global arena. The forces of globalization have laid to waste the walls of Westphalian sovereignty. The disintegration of Soviet Union led the fall of bipolar world and rise of multi polar interdependent world. The era of competition has metamorphed into an age of complex interdependence, where competition, co-operation and confict coexist. Nations too are not really independent. Global institutions agreements norms and rules place effective limitations on the independent actions of nations. Sanctions, have become an instrument of coercion in the global stage. They have become effective stics for enforcing global(read US) norms. Even unilateral sanctions produce lot of harm to nations economies.  

                    Dependence is so prevalent and yet so less visble. All throughout our lives we live in subjugation. Rousseau captured the essence of life by stating, "Man is born free, but everywhere in chains". The notion of independence is perhaps mythical. Every thing here in the world, perhaps universe is all interconnected.  Interdependence may be the only universal law that governs everything. Gandhi believed that the world was not to be conquered by humans but one where humans live harmoniously with nature.