Pledge from Red Fort, pledge by every Indian

India celebrated its 75th Independence Day with great pomp, flag hoisting, feasts and festivals in the country and abroad. It is indeed a great moment to take this opportunity to review and reflect and guide the nation moving forward to fulfill the aspirations of all the people of India. India has achieved a lot in the last 75 years. However, much still needs to be done to deliver the essence of liberty on equality, equality, liberty, inclusion and create opportunities for the majority of the people at the bottom of the economic pyramid.

Enterprises need clarity

In his famous speech from the Red Fort, the Prime Minister outlined five pledges to focus on: making India a developed nation by 2047; Removal of all traces of colonization; Taking pride in our roots and heritage; unity and integrity; and a sense of duty among citizens.

There is a need for much greater clarity and wider national dialogue to make these great pledges social and institutionalized for implementation.

First, what kind of developed nation do we want to be? Do we want a high GDP and an ultra-rich nation, like some Western countries, with high inequality, exclusion, poverty, hunger, injustice, violence and unrest? Or do we want a developed nation with distributed wealth, peace, prosperity, inclusion, happiness and equal opportunities for all? Do we want a developed nation for a select few or for all? This requires a laser-like focus on the Constitution, democracy, diversity, liberty, equality, equality and justice. Do we want clean air, potable water and enough energy first? This will require an understanding of and implications of independent, autonomous institutions, an engaged civil society, decentralized development and a scientific mindset.

Second, removing all traces of colonization can happen only if we deal with the weak and eliminate manual scavenging, child labour, caste system and male and upper caste dominance in our system.

Third, taking pride in our roots and heritage, we must let go of past prejudices and privileges to see the possibilities of the future for all.

Fourth, unity and integrity are essential for peace and progress. Nevertheless, they will demand a deep understanding and tolerance of religion, race, caste, customs, language, social status etc.

Finally, a sense of duty among citizens would require discipline, character, values, morals, ethics and selfless sacrifice to serve and help others.

a charged environment

Unfortunately, in the current toxic and tense environment, with its polarized politics, top-down governance, command and controlled organisations, lack of open and honest dialogue, a managed and manipulated media, high on Hindutva, marginalized Muslims and minorities, A Renaming of cities, rewriting of history and much more, the Prime Minister’s promises are difficult to implement. Furthermore, when the global trend primarily values ​​power and profit, it is difficult to draw a leader’s attention to real issues concerning people and the planet. Today, what is good for the planet and people is not on the agenda of global leaders. So, what kind of pledges do we need to help achieve the prime minister’s agenda in this environment?

a much needed conversation

I suggest that we negotiate the following five pledges to help build the India of the future.

I will treat every fellow human being with respect, dignity and love, regardless of their religion, race, ethnicity, colour, custom, carrier, sex, language or residence. I will study and abide by the United Nations Human Rights Charter in language and spirit and will provide all possible help and assistance to my fellow human beings to make their lives safer, safer and better.

I work hard to protect the Indian Constitution to protect the country’s democracy, freedom, diversity, inclusion, equality, justice etc. through independent and autonomous institutions, an active and active civil society, a rational mindset and an available legal system. I will ,

I will be a good citizen and practice the truth and not the lies, the faith and the unbelief, and not the love and the hatred. I will live by ethical and moral standards – do not engage in corruption, tax evasion, crime, hate, violence, drugs, fraud, lies, abuse, personal attacks, retaliation, misinformation, etc. I will not indulge in revenge and will learn to practice anger management, forgiveness and reconciliation. I will respect and protect the interests of women, girl child and youth.

think about public service

I do some public service in my local community for a few hours a week to ensure cleanliness, to provide basic necessities, to feed the hungry, to educate and care for children and the elderly, to provide health services, to develop skills, to play sports. I will dedicate Entertaining, planting trees, providing counseling, providing legal services, oral hygiene, transportation, fixing equipment, running a local library, reading stories, etc. I will find my own ways to help others without outside help.

I will propagate the Gandhian ideas of non-violence at home, in the family, in the schools, in the streets, in the locality, in the community, in the village and in the city. I will not use verbal abuse and anger to hurt fellow human beings. In the process, I will develop a rational, logical and scientific mindset that values ​​facts and not fiction and data and not dogma – a mindset that values ​​other’s opinions without reason, anger, humiliation, and respect for different points of view. Can have meaningful dialogue with. , and hate; The mindset that can recognize differences through effective communication, collaboration, collaboration and co-creation.

Need a mass movement

Taking these vows and keeping them is a tall order. However, unless the country has enough people at various levels in the fields of government, business, civil society, defense services, judiciary, media, science and technology, education, health, agriculture, labour, arts and crafts, and minorities, women It will be challenging for all those who believe, follow and promote these pledges, to turn the tide and build an inclusive nation that our founding fathers, freedom fighters and us will be proud of. I have great faith in the Indian history, heritage, civilization and wisdom of the Indian people to bring together various groups with courage, commitment and conviction to promote democracy, freedom, inclusion and development for all the people of India. .

I am taking this pledge. Are you interested to join me?

Sam Pitroda, a Telecom/IT Engineer, Innovator, Entrepreneur, Global Thinker and Policy Maker, was an advisor on Technology Mission, Innovations and Digital India with the rank of Cabinet Minister to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Dr. Manmohan Singh. he lives in chicago