The India I Still Believe In

(By CS Krishnamurthy)

At sixty-nine, I have lived long enough to_ know that every generation believes it has seen the best and worst of India. I neither romanticise the past nor expect perfection from the future. I simply believe in an India that is still learning, growing, and capable of surprising the world.

As Independence Day approaches, I think less about how far we have come and more about where we are headed. Freedom is not merely a celebration. It is a responsibility renewed by every generation.

The India I believe in measures progress not only through economic growth but through the confidence of a farmer, the dedication of a teacher, the honesty of a street vendor, and the dreams of a young entrepreneur. Development must reach every doorstep, making lives better without making hearts colder.

I believe in an India where disagreement is not mistaken for disloyalty, honesty is respected, and public office remains a sacred trust. Our civilisation has endured for thousands of years because it learnt to absorb differences, adapt to change, and accommodate diverse voices. That remarkable inheritance deserves preservation, not neglect.

A nation grows not only through infrastructure but through character. It prospers when hope outweighs fear, opportunities reach every village, and doing the right thing becomes ordinary rather than exceptional.

India is still imperfect, sometimes divided, yet always evolving. As we hoist the Tricolour once again, may we celebrate not only the freedom we inherited but also our responsibility to build a kinder, fairer nation. I remain convinced that India’s finest chapters are still ahead.

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