As India experience its 62nd independence day here, there are many issues that are cropping up which if not addressed we may not keep enjoying the event. Some may argue that these problems could make us consider an independence day when we are distributed in small city states- the erstwhile Hindusthan legacy that British compounded in pre independence India.

The challenges in front of our nation are multi-fold and exist on multiple fronts. Let it be the energy crisis or the very basic lack of potable water all across India, the problems are at all stages and encompass lives of most of us. The five year plans for last sixty years have done their best to deliver, but the progress is dismal compared to global standards. Smaller and 'younger' countries compared to India are more developed & better positioned to grow and excel in most paths of life. One would say why one should keep cribbing about the same set problems on each Independence Day occasion.

It is primarily because, there is less participation from people at all stages of public administration. Unfortunately the activity has become a paid function of few babus than a mass movement, as Gandhiji wanted it to be. As we move forward there is a clear need to opt for participative public administration than the centrally controlled one. More complicated the issue, if handled at the grass root level locally; it is better solved with scope to adapt it to the people's need. This would want all of us stand together and tell all those who are sitting in the ivory tower called Parliament and other public representative offices along with the government offices, to wake up. The authorities and the leaders must be made aware of the power that we the people of India have.

Almost all measures can be employed and almost every one of us can make a lasting imprint on the future of this nation. Let it be a small step like switching off the fans in a train after getting down at the last station, or a big step like adopting a child, you will write the future of the country. On the 62nd independence day of this great nation – India- let us recall the 'Tryst with the destiny' and rewrite the destiny of this nation in golden letters.