Reflections on August 15
On Independence Day, I wonder whether we are truly free. We broke the chains of colonialism, yet we forged new ones: corruption that has seeped into the system making it rotten; injustice that spares the powerful; the divisions of caste and religion, and the silent suffering of the poor. Women still fight for safety and millions still sleep hungry.
Our freedom fighters dreamed of dignity, equality and unity but speeches and parades cannot hide how far we are from that dream. True independence will come to us only when justice is swift, opportunities are equal, and no Indian lives in fear.
Until then, August 15 is not just a celebration. It is a reminder that the fight for real freedom is not over.
Hemashree,
Bengaluru
Lessons from the West
The Data Point, “Before tackling stray dogs issue, India must count them properly” (Opinion page, August 13), has pertinent data. Last year when I was travelling in western Europe, I did not spot a single stray dog on any street.
In Switzerland, most people have pet dogs and great care is taken to ensure that no one is disturbed when the pet travels with the owner on public transportation systems such as trams, trains and buses. We have much to learn from the West.
Vijaya Segara Ramsait,
Courtallam, Tamil Nadu
Workers’ strike
It is most unfortunate that the Tamil Nadu government has not been able to solve the problems of the conservancy workers, despite days of protest, and has resorted to forcibly vacating and detaining the protesting workers. It is ironic that the demand of the conservancy workers for permanency has not been considered by the ruling DMK government despite this being a part of its election promise.
The authorities cannot ask the workers, who have been directly engaged by the Corporation, to go and work under contractors. The Supreme Court, as early as 1985, in the Food Corporation case, made it clear that the march of law is from contract labour to direct labour and not the other way. The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act 1970 was meant for regulating and ultimately abolishing contract labour.
Courts and politicians keep saying that the Constitution is a living instrument meant for emancipating the weaker sections. But not only are promises not kept, they are being forgotten.
N.G.R. Prasad,
Chennai
Published – August 15, 2025 12:24 am IST