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So be it!

India is the largest democracy in the world. Maybe true, maybe not. Who knows?

How extensively is democracy put to practice in India? Or anywhere else?

Let us begin with understanding the two viewpoints about democracy. Democracy can be the freedom of speech, thought and Religion. It can be the liberty of the media or it can be the provision of Right to Information.

Fortunately we are bestowed with this aspect of democracy. Thanks to the political leadership in India, the constitution has given a leeway to people to be the masters of their lives in this respect.

Democracy however, may also be defined as the freedom to control and not to be controlled. Do we really believe that our lives are free of any political or social dominance?

Whether it's at the time of acquiring a driver's license or acquiring acceptance for inter-caste marriages in predominantly traditional societies; we are compelled to be subordinate to the authorities.

We are driven to pay bribes to get our chores done or are left with no option but to submit to the 'rules of the game.'

Our actions fail to be our own each time we think twice before doing what we really want to do.

And then we say, ‘India is a free country.’ Is it free from corruption, crime, religious dogma or even caste and gender inequalities?



If democracy corresponds to freedom, I'm ashamed to admit that India isn't a democracy at all.

And when it's time to make a difference, we the oppressed and the subjugated shirk off our responsibilities and say, 'India toh aisa hi hain aur aisa hi rahega.' Our attitude towards initiative and enterprise is very apathetic.

We should either change ourselves to change the state of our country or just surrender to the aristocracy and sigh each time, ' So be it!'
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