Independent?

We celebrate Independence to mark the moment our country broke free from colonial rule, to honour every enlightened mind that fought for it, and to safeguard the sovereignty of India as a nation.

Yet, it is an undeniable truth that complete independence is still elusive. Today, we find ourselves intertwined with global powers — a USA that enforces tariffs even on nations in crisis to maintain its position at the top, and a Russia striving to reclaim its former stature.

India, a nation of unparalleled diversity, once stood firmly with the Non-Aligned Movement through history. But today, the question arises — are we still steadfast in our principles, or are we beginning to falter?

Too often, global superpowers gather to discuss matters of public importance behind closed doors, leaving the very populations affected without a voice. Is this the fault of the nations themselves, or the result of the ego and intransigence of those who lead them?

History has shown that power can corrupt — and absolute power can corrupt absolutely. When personal interest clashes with the public good, it is always the people who bear the cost.

Kautilya once observed that monarchy could be the best form of governance — yet today, I find myself questioning that view, for democracy too has struggled to deliver what monarchy once achieved.

As someone who has spent over two decades as a tenant of this Earth, and who has explored countless philosophies and proposals for the ideal nation, I believe governance remains one of the most challenging tasks when measured against personal conscience. Mani Ratnam’s Iruvar portrays this powerfully — that even the noblest of intentions can become tainted in the political arena.

I do not claim that all world leaders are compromised — but a significant number are. Unless we invest in truly understanding human behaviour in positions of authority and designing governance structures that can withstand those flaws, the global order will continue to oscillate between a superpower, an aspiring superpower, and nations caught in their tug of war for survival.