Independence

Every year, we celebrate Independence Day on 15th August. As we approach this significant occasion, it’s time to reflect on this concept of independence itself.

THE ELUSIVE NATURE OF INDEPENDENCE

Literally read, independence suggests a state of not being dependent on someone else and being completely self-reliant. However, a moment’s introspection reveals this to be largely a myth. Think about it: when I boarded a flight to Delhi last month, I wasn’t just depending on myself and the pilots; I was dependent on an intricate ballet of air traffic controllers, ground crew, engineers, and even the person who refuelled the plane. Even our most basic needs, like food and shelter, are met through systems and individuals far beyond our direct control. From the farmer who grows our food to the architect who designs our homes, we are intricately woven into a vast tapestry of inter-dependence. As the American poet John Donne famously wrote, “No man is an island entire of itself.” This realization begs the question: if absolute self-reliance is unattainable, what then is true independence?

INDEPENDENCE: A STATE OF MIND

The truth lies in understanding independence not as an absence of external dependencies in terms of actions and transactions, but as a state of mind. As the illustrious poet and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore so eloquently put it, “Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high… Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.” True independence, therefore, is the ability to independently decide – to think critically, to form our own opinions, and to make choices based on our own understanding, rather than being swayed by external pressures, conventional wisdom, or the dictates of others. It is the courage to stand by our convictions, even when they diverge from the norm.

THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT ACCOMPANIES INDEPENDENCE

However, this precious gift of independent thought and action is not an absolute right; it is a privilege that comes with inherent responsibility towards other stakeholders and the environment. Our choices have ripple effects that extend far beyond ourselves. Consider the industrialist who, in pursuit of profit, dumps untreated waste into a river. This “independent” decision pollutes the water for communities downstream, harms ecosystems, and ultimately diminishes the collective well-being. Closer to self, think of our own lifestyle choices – the amount of plastic we consume, the energy we waste. These seemingly small actions cumulatively impact the environment, a burden shared by all. These actions cannot be justified in the garb of independence or freedom. True independence is not about unbridled self-interest, but about exercising our freedom with an acute awareness of our interconnectedness.

INDIA’S JOURNEY: BEYOND 78 YEARS

Most of the commonly told stories about India begin with 1947. If we have to introspect the true meaning of the word ‘independence’ in the Indian context, we may need to travel back to a much earlier period – a period when India was referred to as the proverbial Golden Bird.

Let us look at some statistical estimates taken from a book published by the OECD¹ : at the start of the Common Era (0001 AD), the Indian sub-continent was the largest economy and contributed to around 33% of the World GDP. This share reduced to around 24% of the World GDP at the start of the 17^th century. Factor in the entry and exit of the British and we ended up with 4.2% of World GDP in 1950.

What was it that made India the largest economy with a contribution of 33% of the World GDP? There are plenty of lessons to learn from by addressing this question.

1 The World Economy: Historical Statistics, written by Angus Maddison,
 Published in 2004 by OECD – See Page 641. Download from 
https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/the-world-economy_9789264022621-en.html

UNEARTHING ANCIENT WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE

When we delve into the rich historical tapestry, we unearth a treasure trove of wisdom and knowledge that shaped not just India, but the world. Contrary to popular misconception, the four Vedas (Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda), are not merely religious texts but encyclopedias of knowledge, encompassing philosophy, astronomy, mathematics, and early forms of scientific inquiry. Often referred to as the Fifth Veda, Ayurveda is not just some random herbs and treatments but is a holistic system of medicine, predating modern medicine by centuries, focusing on natural remedies, preventive care, and a balance between mind, body, and spirit. Coupled with the Yoga-sutras, we look at a comprehensive healthcare model that balances disease prevention, therapeutic intervention, and mental well-being. We have not even started talking about the domain specific research available at that point of time. Consider Arthashastra by Chanakya: a treatise on statecraft, economic policy, and military strategy from ancient India, offering profound insights into governance, administration, and international relations or for that matter, the Sulba Sutras, which are foundational to Indian mathematics, particularly geometry. Surya Siddhanta, an astronomical treatise that describes accurate calculations for the positions of planets, the timing of eclipses, and the length of a sidereal year, showcases that advanced understanding of celestial mechanics possessed by our ancestors. We can go on and on. This partial list is but a glimpse into the intellectual prowess that characterized ancient India, where knowledge was pursued not in isolated silos, but as interconnected facets of a larger understanding of existence.

DISRUPTION AND THE PATH TO MODERNITY

The long periods of invasion and colonization undeniably created significant disruption, not only in the economic welfare (as evidenced in the declining share in world GDP) but also in the continuity of knowledge. The imposition of foreign educational systems, administrative structures, and cultural norms led to a gradual detachment from our indigenous intellectual heritage. We began to move towards what was perceived as “modern concepts”, often synonymous with Western thought and methodologies. While this engagement with global ideas brought its own benefits and advancements, it also inadvertently sidelined, and in some cases, actively suppressed, the vast body of knowledge that had flourished for centuries on our own soil. It’s like a family inheriting a grand library but then being told only to read books published after a certain date, gradually forgetting the treasures within their own collection.

THE CHALLENGE OF TRUE INDEPENDENCE: RECONCILING PAST AND PRESENT

This is where lies the critical question for our reflection: are we independent enough to consider and revisit these older concepts, or are they all taboo, relegated to the realm of the archaic and irrelevant? Is our intellectual freedom truly unfettered, or are we still bound by the mental chains of colonial legacies, where anything indigenous is viewed with skepticism or dismissed as unscientific? In my mind, the true test of our independence lies in our ability to critically engage with our own heritage. This is not to suggest that we should abandon modern concepts and methodologies. The advancements in science, technology, medicine, and social organization that have emerged globally are invaluable. Instead, real independence is when our mind can truly introspect and choose the best, and perhaps adapt, from both the old and the new. Let’s individually reflect on this one question, “Am I truly independent?” Here’s wishing you a Happy Independence Day.