Changing mindsets... Vinit Vartak ©

 Changing mindsets... Vinit Vartak ©

If you ask what is the most difficult task, in my opinion the most difficult task is to change the mindset of an individual, culture, nation or society. Man is social. There are certain rules of that society and culture which are passed down from generation to generation. When that understanding is challenged, it is not so easy to accept or accommodate the new trend. Many tendencies have been nurtured in India and among the Indian people especially after independence and some have been consciously inculcated. Attempts are being made to break the same trends. I have special appreciation for the same. Although it is true that the mentality cultivated by generations will certainly not change in a day or a year, it is comforting to see that it is starting somewhere.

Countless freedom fighters contributed to the Indian freedom struggle along with many other freedom fighters. The freedom struggle was not fought by a single family. But in independent India, the pretense of a single family drawing blood was created for this struggle and for the country as a whole. The atmosphere was created. Every medium was used for that. Be it the school curriculum, government policies or the mentality of the Indian people, it was seen that the monopoly of one family would remain everywhere. That is why during the last 75 years almost 2-3 generations never got to know the real heroes of history. Just as the contribution of one family or some specific individuals was always put forward, at the same time the efforts made by other people were deliberately erased from the pages of history.

When I was a child, whenever I read about the Indian freedom struggle, the only question in my mind was that there were so many faces in this struggle whose sacrifices we will never know. One of them was Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. On one side was Gandhiji's Chale Jav Movement and Salt Satyagraha while at the same time Netaji was building an armed struggle against the British government on a global level. The manner in which Netaji built an organization like 'Indian National Army' can be an inspiration to many even today. Many personalities in that organization are unknown to Indians today. There are so many stories of their adventures that a movie would be made about each of their organization. Just as many films are coming out today on the army chiefs of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, the stories of many chiefs are inspiring the new generation, be it Baji Prabhu Deshpande, Tanaji Malusare, Shiv Kashid, Yesaji Kank, Hambirrao Mohite, many names can be taken. Similarly, every soldier in Netaji's army has his own story. Everyone fought against the injustice of the British government not only in their own country but also in other lands. The eyes of the British Government were opened. Netaji's Indian National Army has explained the meaning of the fact that the British can no longer maintain their empire with the force of arms and troops.

If Ahimsa's movement was a silent resistance to the British government, Netaji's armed movement was a challenge to the British Empire. Without these two, the history of Indian independence cannot be complete. But deliberate efforts were made to increase the importance of the family and the individual in independent India. Whenever I read the history of Netaji, the same question came to my mind that where is Netaji today? Where are the stories of their brave heroes? Just as we were taught the lessons of non-violence, why were we not taught the lesson of taking the animal by the horns? India has never attacked anyone, so the thought of us facing the attack and looting with non-violence was disturbing. Chhatrapatis whom we consider as gods, whose Maratha Empire once planted arresting flags. Those Marathas used to throw spears in front of the enemy. These thoughts were literally making me uncomfortable. I am not against non-violence. I never attacked anyone. I have never destroyed anyone's house. But if someone is destroying my house, why should I fight it out? Oh why? I am of the opinion that injustice against us can be stopped if done. That is why if anyone gave a decisive turning point in the Indian freedom struggle, it was Netaji and his Indian National Army.

Today, institutions, roads and programs of the country are deliberately named after the surnames of the same family. Articles were written on them, their lessons were taught from textbooks. Many such freedom fighters in India were deliberately sidelined. A mindset was created that the freedom of the country was gained through the sacrifice of a single family. It is personally comforting to me to see that this mentality is being torn apart today. This is the mentality of slavery, this is the mentality of mirage, this is the mentality of nepotism. It gives me great pleasure to see all these mindsets being torn apart. Remembering that my father, my grandfather, my 8th generation did something for the country, grant me divinity, the mentality that is growing in all fields today needs to be changed. I am of the clear opinion that self-achievement should be the standard of respect for a person, be it education, politics, social cause, any field of the country.

Two good events happened yesterday, one was the renaming of the Rajpath representing British slavery to 'Kartavyapath' and the other most important was the befitting tribute to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Even after 75 years of Indian independence, the honor of Netaji, who played an important role in the country's independence, is definitely an indication of a changing mindset. There will be many sages and philosophers who would interpret that because they were honored, someone else was dishonored. In fact, we should deeply appreciate that the people who have been neglected so far are being brought into the limelight once again. But people who have been cultivating a certain attitude and mindset for the last 75 years have doubts about how much it will be digested.

India and Indian culture, Indian democracy, Indian society, Indian history, today Indians need to see and learn from a different perspective and mentality. To see from a different mindset is not to disrespect anyone, but to respect and honor those whom we have failed to respect, whose history we have not yet read, whose culture we have not yet experienced. Seeing, learning and imbibing it means a changing mindset.

Jai Hind!!!

Footnote :- Opinions written above are my own opinions. If it doesn't work, leave it. Please do not post your opinion on my post.

Photo Search Courtesy :- Google

Notice :- Wording in this post is copyright.