PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
As India prepares to celebrate its 80th Independence Day, The Pioneer asked people in Dehradun what Independence Day really means to them. For many, the answer went beyond the celebrations, flag-hoisting ceremonies and patriotic songs, with residents linking freedom to everyday responsibilities, clean surroundings, education, safety and the ability to make choices.
For youngster Utpal Tiwari, Independence Day is a reminder that freedom also comes with responsibilities towards society. He said that citizens should understand that simple actions such as keeping public places clean, following rules and respecting public property are equally important. “Freedom does not mean that we can do whatever we want. We also have a responsibility towards the place where we live,” he said.
Deepak Rana said that Dehradun had changed significantly over the years as the city expanded. However, he feels that civic sense has not grown correspondingly. He said that people needed to take greater responsibility for keeping public spaces clean and protecting the city’s infrastructure.
The issue of cleanliness remains a major challenge for the city. Around 500 tonnes of waste is collected in Dehradun every day. Dehradun chief municipal health officer Anand Shukla said that residents could make waste management more effective by segregating wet and dry waste at source and handing it over separately. The MCD officials added that complaints related to littering continue to be received and violators are generally warned.
A teacher Swati Kaushik said that freedom also means ensuring that every child, particularly girls, has access to education and opportunities. She said that education gives girls the confidence and ability to make informed decisions and become independent. Rakhi Khattri said that women’s independence should be visible in everyday life. “For women, independence means education, employment, safe mobility and the freedom to take decisions about their own lives,” she said.
As the city prepares to mark Independence Day, residents said that the occasion should also prompt people to look at their own role in society. For them, freedom is not only about what the country achieved in 1947, but also about how responsibly citizens use that freedom today.
