As my country celebrates its 73rd Independence Day, I can’t help but look back and reflect on how far we have come ever since the country got freedom.

India has made big strides in technology and economic development, but what fills my heart with admiration and pride is that in spite of being a land with a multiplicity of religions, races, ethnicities, castes, creeds and languages, the fundamental thread of unity has always been there.

We may be politically divided, but culturally we have always been one nation. The recent unfortunate occurrence of floods in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala brought to light innumerable incidents of kindness, humanity and oneness and buried all differences of caste and religion. When Article 370 and 35A were revoked, citizens on twitter, invited Kashmiri brothers and sisters to their homes to celebrate Eid. Such feelings of brotherhood and unity lay down the strong foundation for any country to progress leaps and bounds.

Of course, there are issues of poverty, health, and education to be addressed. The Right to Education Act was enacted in the Parliament which stressed the importance of free and compulsory education for children between the age of 6 to 14 years. Numerous schemes have been introduced by the Government of India to improve the health and alleviate the poverty of its people.

Let us not forget our responsibility towards the environment. It is heartening to know that people are gradually becoming aware of the need to protect and conserve the ecosystem that sustains us. I recently read an article about how flags and rakhis that convert into tulsi and tomato plants can replace the plastic ones that are dumped in landfills or are burnt.

So, this Independence Day, let us pledge to live responsibly towards our fellow citizens as well as the environment.

My Indian Dream wishes Happy Independence Day to all our dear readers.