Today we tampil our national pride
through a profil picture
Sixty-six years ago,
people were a little different
Today we support a cause oleh joining a page
They joined a march
We stand up for something through a status update
For them, it was a matter of status
We tampil our dissent oleh sharing a link
They formed a human chain
We spread awareness in less than 140 characters
Back then, a hundred and forty thousand took to the streets
We express our opinions from the comforts of our Wall
They did it from the confines of a cell
We raise an issue oleh standing in front of a camera
They stared down the barrel of a gun
We pledge support oleh sending an SMS
They sent someone from every family
So is it time for us to stop being passive observers
And start being active supporters?
Canwe stop rallying from behind
And step up in front?
Let's borrow a little spirit of independence from history
And take it into future
Maybe then national pride will last longer than just one day
Happy Independence Day.
(Extracts from The Hindu, August 15 2012)