This is what Gaurav had to say :  

 " Independence to me means that –

A) I’ll always get fair opportunities to prove myself and

B) I’ll have the right to question anything and ask for answers "

The above seems to be a very fair definition of what Independence means to today's youth. One thing that is missing from the above definition is the sense of responsibility that is inherent in the word "Independence". Yes, Independence should give one a chance to prove oneself and ask questions and get answers. But, it is the responsibility of the citizen to ask the right questions.

Leaving that aside, let us focus on the things that we expect after being independent for 60 years.

"Fair opportunities to Prove myself"

I think that is what the makers of Indian constitution had set out to achieve, and the result was the idea of reservation to the back ward classes. What started as a novel idea, with the best of intentions, has now been skewed and twisted, and now is a major hurdle in the development of the country. Every now and then the issue raises it's ugly head, and, like the Rakshas of yore, consumes the life of many youngsters, many of whom could potentially have been great Doctors, Engineers or Scientists.

If that was not enough, the developing India is seeing an increasing divide between the haves and the have-nots. Without a shadow of doubt there is a large section of the society that is doing well and improving, but there is an equal, if not greater, number  of people who can only stand by the side and watch as the "Shining India" leaves them far behind. It is like they are living in a different nation altogether.

The political set up in the country is another major hurdle in way of providing equal opportunities to all. The way the political system has evolved in our country must surely make the grand old politicians of Indian turn in their proverbial grave. The politician form being a social servant – a man who was committed to spend his life in the betterment of the country and it's populace- has turned into a self preserving and a selfish being.

"Right Questions and the Right answers"

The right to ask questions and get the right answers is undoubtedly the essence of independence. In fact, The Right to Information Act of 2005 is a right step in this direction. It gives any one the legal right to ask questions and get the right answers from the concerned authorities. But the important thing here is the asking of the right questions. My experience tells me that mostly people ask questions when  they are in trouble, or when they are interested in catching someone off guard.

Before one starts asking questions, one should have the skill, ability and the knowledge to ask the right question. This essentially entails some responsibility on the part of the individual. The right to ask questions is not the right to create nuisance value but the right to seek information and add to one's knowledge. Even point out if something if it is actually wrong.

India has come a long way from the India of 1947. But then 60 years is not a small period of  time. Much has been done, but a lot more needs to be done before we can actually claim to be independent and enjoy our independence. But this needs to be done by us, for no body helps them who do not help themselves.