Independence Day has always been special because, at least on this day, we celebrate the magnanimity of our culture with full splendour. Today, we have the courage to overlook what naysayers have to say. This day is when we embrace our identity of being Indians, leaving behind the shackles of differences.
Today, we feel proud of the fact that we are the only country in the world where more than 1,000 languages are spoken.
We are the only country that is home to more than ten religions (inclusive of tribal beliefs).
We are the only country with the oldest living civilization - the "Harappan and Indus Valley civilization" (a civilization behind architectural marvels - well-defined sewage and drainage systems, granaries, and brick structures with valid archaeological evidence of established administrative structures and manuscripts that suggest the level of intellectual sophistication at that time). Yet, both us and our global counterparts, "NON-INDIANS," find ourselves ensnared by the notion that Bharat is merely a nation of jesters, a delusional misconception that endures despite our undeniable legacy.
We raise our cups as the second-largest producer of tea (a reason which lured the Brits into trading turned colonizing our country),
We are the country that gave birth to martial arts, chess, and yoga which are widely practised sports all over the globe.
We are the country to whom Cricket was introduced but through our unwavering dedication, we surpassed the originators in mastering the art of the game (no one is oblivious to the craze India has for cricket; look at Virat Kohli’s followers, man!).
We are from the nation which is one of the top 5 space programs in the world, despite our financial constraints, and let's not forget the first-ever nation to successfully land on Mars in its inaugural attempt.
We are the country to whom mathematician marvels like Aryabhatta and Varahamihira gave the place value system, zero, algebra, approximation of Pi, optics, and Vedic astrology. (and as cliché as it sounds, zero jiske aagey lag jata hai uski value toh badh jaati hai boss!)
We hail from a country where architectural legends are etched in the stones of history, thanks to the alluring Ellora caves or the ancient mysteries of Ajanta caves, a eulogy to the love story of the Taj Mahal, or the supremacy of Dravidian architecture reflected through Chola temples.
We are from the country where the Dravidian architecture of pyramid-shaped kovils blends in beautifully with Sikh architecture, standing up for progressiveness and austere simplicity, and the Indo-Islamic style of vast courtyards sublime perfectly with cave structures inspired by Jainism and Buddhism.
We are from the country which showed the world what a "Golden period" looks like - a time when arts, sciences, philosophy and culture flourish leaving an inedible mark in the world history
We come from a country that lives up to the ideology of peace and has been showing it by its constant efforts of actively sending troops for the UN peace commission.
We are the country with one of the largest military bases, sustaining its position strongly amongst neighbouring countries who harbour vile intentions towards our nation.
Independence Day, "Swatantra Divas," "Azadi Ka Din," or whatever name you prefer—it is indeed special. Today, we celebrate India, the people who made this celebration possible, and the selfless heroes who live on a constant radar in order to make sure that our motherland lives long. I will never not be proud of India, for it is the best. It may have its drawbacks, but at least it is ours. A smile creeps onto my face as I contemplate: Is India because of us? Are we because of India? (Keep on pondering, folks!)