The true spirit of Independence: A Reflection on Pakistan’s Independence celebrations

Aizaz khan Hasanzai
It’s August, and the entire nation is celebrating Independence Month with vigor. Almost every inch of this country can be seen portraying independence colors. Stalls can be seen selling independence apparel, flags, and insignias. Besides, the air is filled with the sound of noise-maker horns. However, amidst the festivities, it’s essential to reflect on the true meaning of independence and how we can pay a more meaningful tribute to our freedom fighters and those who really sacrificed. Every generation of this country has had its own way of celebrating Independence day. Earlier generations, who had witnessed the sacrifices and suffering, never celebrated Independence Day like us. They knew the value of their homeland and always wished to see their nation and its inhabitants growing and prosperous. They would listen to tales of hardships from their elders and think about the sacrifices that they gave to gain independence. They would thank Allah Almighty and pray for its eternal existence. They would tranquilize their hearts, unrested by post-independence traumas, through bending their heads to their Lord. After this came generations who would celebrate independence through singing and listening to anthems. Through this, they would draw a sketch of independence’s tragic incidents, and at the end, they would breathe a sigh of sadness and then happiness, as they are enjoying freedom now. They would become happy, as post-independence traumas didn’t affect them directly. They would visit relatives and be served with desserts. They would watch shows on television and listen to independence stories on the radio. It was indeed a golden time, as there was happiness unlike the time of the earlier generation. It was the period spanning 1990s and 2000s. There were no mobile phones and hypocrisy. There was no joblessness and inflation. There was no nepotism and corruption. We won the cricket World Cup and became an atomic power as well. Our institutions would mind their own business and hence contribute to the national treasure, rather than becoming bankrupt. It was indeed the best of times my homeland witnessed. After this comes my generation, a general generation called the modern generation. A generation privileged with technology but also foolishness. We have online libraries but don’t study the books depicting sacrifices of our freedom fighters. We have electronic cinema in our hands but have zero interest in watching documentaries made on the lives of those freedom fighters. If we read the tales of sacrifices of our ancestors, we would definitely change our ways of celebrating independence. Wise people were wise, but the lunatics of that time also suffered and passed away with the wish of not quitting their respective hometowns. Bishan Singh, the main character of Sadat Hassan Manto’s short story “Toba Tek Singh,” accepted death but didn’t accept leaving his hometown, Toba Tek Singh. During the exchange of lunatics and prisoners between India and Pakistan after independence, it was decided that all Hindus and Sikhs would be handed over to India. Those Muslims who wanted to migrate to Pakistan would be handed over to Pakistan, and others would remain in India. Bishan Singh, whose family had shifted to India, would be migrated to India according to the policy. But Bishan Singh was never ready for this. On the border, during the exchange, he refused to move to India and ran away. He fell down on the ground, uttering “Toba Tek Singh,” and died. On one side, behind the steel wires, it was Pakistan. On another side, it was India, and in the middle lay Toba Tek Singh. This was the situation lunatics were going through. Just imagine what the wise people would have gone through. They had more sense of patriotism. For sure, they would bear more pain and loss. But how are we actually paying tribute to such great people,by buying noise maker horn? Pakistan got its independence on the 27th of Ramazan. After a few days, it was Eid. It was a worst scenario, but they still received Eid gifts from their Hindu brothers. They received trains full of corpses as Eidi. They witnessed all those incidents and accidents that this generation can’t even think of. And this is the reason why we are heading toward such awkward celebrations. We are facing a bundle of problems and issues in this country, and we have to go miles and miles before becoming a prosperous nation. Among all prevailing issues, Pakistan is facing the issue of climate change. We are destroying our forests and not planting trees. This independence, instead of buying a noise maker horn, we should better buy a tree and plant it. It will make our country clean and green.As we celebrate independence, we must remember the sacrifices of our ancestors,and act responsibly. Let’s practice the saying of the Holy Prophet (SAW): “The best among you is the one who doesn’t harm others with his tongue and hands.” This Independence Month, let’s reflect on our actions and work towards creating a prosperous nation. We owe it to our freedom fighters and ourselves.