SOMC BLOG BULLETIN-2 (EDITORIAL)

Anushka Patil, TY BAJMC

Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the government of India to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Indian Independence. The movement aims to celebrate India in all its glory ranging from its diverse group of citizens to their vastly different cultures and achievements. It also emphasizes the contributions of individuals across an array of fields who have navigated India through its evolutionary journey towards progress.

The Mahotsav also has a futuristic vision, wherein Indian citizens are encouraged to make immense contributions toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of India 2.0, an India proud of its self-reliance and innovation. The Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav commenced its 75-week journey toward the 75th anniversary of Independence on 12th March 2021 and will come to a close on 15th August 2023.

In the words of our Prime Minister himself, “Like the history of the freedom movement, the journey of 75 years after independence is a reflection of the hard work, innovation, enterprise of ordinary Indians. Whether in the country or abroad, we Indians have proved ourselves through hard work. We are proud of our Constitution. We are proud of our democratic traditions. The mother of democracy, India is still moving forward by strengthening democracy. India, rich in knowledge and science, is leaving its mark from Mars to the moon.”

There is a lot to unpack with regard to this statement. It perfectly encapsulates the dichotomy of modern-day India. On the one hand, there is a rich heritage to be proud of and incredible achievements to be celebrated, while on the other, there are aspects that ought to be questioned and opposed.

One of the themes of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav is the Indian Freedom struggle. To this end, the government is hoping to conjure up a sense of association with the courage and sacrifices of the forefathers of our nation. This can be done through various means, such as honoring the legacies of our freedom fighters, studying, understanding, and adopting their morals, maintaining and conserving places of historical importance, etc.

Another theme of the Mahotsav highlights the pertinence of celebrating our achievements through the years. As Mr. Modi mentioned in his quote, India has left its mark not only on our world but also on the moon and Mars. The giant strides that ISRO has taken over the years are awe-inspiring, even more so when we take into account the budgetary and infrastructural barriers it has overcome. Similarly, India has come leaps and bounds in its quest to digitize the entire country. Be it the digitalization of government websites or the development of the revolutionary UPI, India’s achievements are commendable. India has also achieved tremendous success in faculties outside the realm of science and technology; the recently concluded Commonwealth Games is an ideal example of the same.

Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav also talks about ideas for nation-building and the resolve to achieve them through its themes. One of the key points of conversation when it comes to the foundation of nation-building is ‘nationalism.’ The mention of nationalism brings a barrage of questions ranging from its inherent aggressive tendencies to what could possibly be the real essence of nationalism. A relevant example of this debate would be patriotic films. These films attempt to evoke a sense of belongingness and pride in being an Indian while also narrating tales of valor, sacrifice, and victory. Oftentimes, questions are raised about the boundaries of patriotism and when it transitions into Jingoism. Another point to be considered in this debate is the fine line between the intent of the film and its filmmaker and the perception of its audience, as both these aspects are subjective in nature.

The final theme of the Mahotsav attempts to fuel every Indian to take steps towards the betterment and welfare of the country. This is also where the dichotomy of Mr. Modi’s words becomes apparent. As much as modern-day India is associated with its progress in the fields of science and technology, it has also become synonymous with numerous episodes involving unconstitutional or undemocratic practices. These practices range from communal disharmony and casteism to violence against women and the subjugation of the freedom of speech and expression. The India that we all dream of is not one defined by the unity of movements and protests over criminal incidents; it is defined by its peace and harmony and a genuine lack of said incidents. It is not bound by differences, rather, it looks forward to the hopes and aspirations of a bright future replete with the values the nation has been built on.

Our blog bulletin for this week attempts to capture the intricacies of the above-mentioned themes and generate conversations regarding the same. It has been an enlightening learning experience; researching, compiling, and writing on these themes, and we hope our readers find this week’s blog bulletin an enriching reading experience.

We would like to extend our gratitude to Mr. Dhiraj Singh, Director of the School of Media and Communication, for presenting us with this platform to freely express our thoughts and opinions. We would also like to thank Mr. Chaitanya Shinkhede for his constant support, guidance, and enthusiasm during the entire process. Lastly, I, the editor, would like to thank my team for their cooperation and commitment to the blog bulletin.

Editor: Anushka Patil 
Writers: Aprajeeta Dubey, Adip Taware, Tanish Goswami, Meesha Sharma, Saumya, Tisha Bhatia
Photographer: Nikita Tiwari