Independence: A word or a way of living!!!

There is a lot that has been spoken about independence & freedom at a National level & what one must do to be a good citizen. However, today I would like to talk about my perspective towards independence & freedom.

Independence according to me is ones ability & power to make decisions & the strength to face the consequences of it. We cannot plan our lives but we can live it the way we want to. Hence, for me Independence means rising above hardships & going beyond the obvious.

Anandi of Balika Vadhu

Today I would like to talk about a fictional character that has inspired me & given me a new definition of freedom. This character is none other than Anandi of Balika Vadhu, which is aired on Colors Channel. Anandi has borne the consequences of child marriage & after 16 years, her husband Jagdish fell in love & married another woman & abandoned her.

In such circumstances punishing the culprit is the most obvious & acceptable gesture as per the society. However, Anandi decided to let go off her past & move forward. Initially I refuted her decision, but later when I pondered upon her act, I realized that she actually freed herself of the burden that she was otherwise carrying deep down in her heart.

Letting go DEFINITELY does not mean giving up, but it is about accepting the darker side of life, which is inevitable. Vengeance & hatred are two human emotions, which paralyses an individuals’ ability to think positively & constructively. By choosing to move on, one can actually gain renewed strength & morph the negativity into positive energy.

Independence is a subjective term & is more about personal beliefs, values, ideologies & principles. What we perceive as misfortune in the life of Anandi has actually helped her evolve as an independent woman. She can now take her own decisions without fearing the consequences, fight for what she believes in, pursue her unfulfilled dreams & above all to stand up for herself with dignity.

So as the Independence Day celebration ends, let us make an effort to free ourselves from any bitterness, pain, frustration, fear, insecurities & regrets that rests heavily on our souls. In fact, being able to let go is the greatest gift we can give to ourselves, reach new horizons & be free in the true sense of the word.

Swati Ghosh

Rangmunch.TV