About: This is my dream of seeing India climb out of the noisy democracy that it is and quietly gets itself in order. And becomes a civilisational developed country, tapping into its diversity to stay united as a nation and inspiring every person to discover his potential to make India Great again. India is a free country but real freedom is yet to be achieved and my dream is about this freedom. I am writing this with my roots in Tamil Nadu-the State where I live today.

Ever since my school days, I’ve been inspired by Martin Luther King’s iconic speech, ‘I Have a Dream’ in the year 1963, delivered during the ‘March on Washington Protest’. It all the more sunk deep and stayed when it was spoken by the best speakers in School in Literary Association Contests (another favourite was, ‘Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me you ears’ – by Mark Anthony in Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar).

Those were the days when the black-white skin discrimination in the United States of America was horrific and visible at every level. What, with the blacks brought into America as slaves from Africa, brutally-chained to work, on the Cotton Plantations and Ranches, whiplashed to build the America we see today. ’Uncle Tom’s Cabin’ and ‘Roots’ – two of the best (anti)slavery novels said it all.

Martin Luther King fought for racial equality and an end to systemic discrimination. And a future ‘where individuals are judged by the content of their character rather than the colour of their skin’. His was a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. A dream that one day this nation will rise-up, live out the true meaning of its creed. He said, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal”.

Now, in these times I have my own dream-and I’m sure, Martin Luther King would not mind. A dream for India.

We were once one of the world’s greatest civilisations ever, but along the way we lost the plot and ended-up being conquered and subjugated only because we failed to collaborate, watch each other’s backs, and stay united as one nation. The idea of India-Bharat -was always there, but it was too loose to be a deterrent to infighting, foreign invasion, manipulation, and colonisation. And we had some of the best Kings, warriors, and fighters, any country would be proud to have. Diversity became the fault line the Conquerers pounced upon to keep people divided – Divide and Rule, was the slogan. We obtained freedom from colonial rule on 15 August 1947. But now, 79 years later, we need another kind of freedom: real freedom; to do the things we want to, the things we can, and are inherently capable of, riding on the shoulders of our wonderful ancestors. And fully supported by a Government, which acts as a clever Facilitator rather than a regressive Obstructor.

I have a dream that, one day the sinister Reservation System, which had a time-limit written in India’s Constitution and has been stretched beyond limit-acquiring a permanent set-by wily Politicians, is scrapped. That opportunity is based solely on merit coming off education, talent, and skills so that the best in every domain reach the very top and decide further direction and progress. That mediocrity is banned; that we become outcomes/results based rather than tenure or caste and creed based; what works best matters more than anything else. That meritocracy gets the merit, the respect, and the honours it inherently deserves – in all walks of life.

I have a dream, that we are able to differentiate before we integrate –like in mathematics– and take along diverse races, cultures, practices, religions, castes, languages, and people of the various States of India as one united Bharat. That with so many languages spoken in India, we study the mother tongue (plus another Indian language if the mother tongue is Hindi) and at least two other languages: Hindi-compulsory, and maybe English. About 43.63% of Indians have Hindi as their mother tongue and about 57.11% speak Hindi (only about 10.60% speak English). That we do not waste a single holy moment in debating, which language is superior, or should be learnt or spoken (or ’tarred’-blacked out); that Hindi is not treated as an enemy, while the colonisation language of English is considered a friend with benefits.

I have a dream that, we have clean streets, well-maintained public spaces, no litter, and impressive civic discipline. That, every street has a brightly-lit, clear, wide footpath, guarded by verdant trees, for me to walk freely, holding hands with my wife-and my kids dancing around-without bumping into an unauthorised street-vendor; without being run over by a motor vehicle-especially 17-year-olds driving BMWs; without being chased by a street-dog; without stepping into an open sewer, infested with mosquitoes and every kind of ‘deep world’ creature waiting for a chance to get some blood off me; without being swallowed by an open manhole; without being begged for money by a beggar sitting in a hot spot I have seen him for years… there is one living down the street, and I’m unable to do anything about it. When it rains, his home becomes the nearest ATM; at other times someone pulls him out, gives him a hair-cut and deposits him – with interest – at the exact spot!

I have a dream that, when I drive on the roads, everyone follows the Rules. That, I do not look like a fool-the only one wearing a helmet or a seat belt or religiously keeping a lane. That signals are keenly watched and diligently obeyed: now it is, Red-charge, Orange-get ready to charge, Green-suddenly stop. That, left and right turn signals are signalled not by the hands of the driver (no hand signal, please), but by the light indicators on the vehicle. That, when I drive on the superb National or State Highways, lane discipline is kept and the illuminated white and yellow lines are respected: now, I zig-zag effortlessly cutting lanes before crashing into the lousy rear -Horn OK Please or Blow Horn-of a dirty Heavy Vehicle. That, speed-breakers are removed or are a minimum, and along with its cousin -pot-holes-does not try to kill the precious life I have or make me count the bones I never counted before.

I have a dream that, I can without fear enter a Police Station to freely discuss a disturbance to my peace, to report a crime, or to make a complaint. That a Policeman is a friend and I can feel safe when he is around or when I seen him on a street. That the Police actually prevent crime, rather than rush-in when the movie is over, or wears an intimidating stance. That, we have smart Sherlock Holmes-kind-of-Detectives who investigate the crime deeply and actually catch real criminals. That, thieves, murderers, rapists, corrupt officials are caught and quickly punished so that the honest man can continue to be, and live his honest best.

I have a dream that, should I, in the unfortunate event of having to go to a Court for Justice, my case is quickly resolved-with reasonable time frames- instead of dragging on for years, becoming an Odyssey to get home (and for someone to make a movie about it, or a write a book on it). Recently, it took Actress Sukanya, in Tamil Nadu, exactly 30 years to get justice in a defamation case regarding unverified, derogatory remarks about her, freely aired on a sunny Television network. And I am writing about it!

I have a dream that, we have 24×7 uninterrupted electricity-no electricity generators to buy or backup battery systems to charge – and when it rains I do not wish that I should have bought a boat, or feel helpless not knowing how to swim, or regret not knowing how to navigate through stormy weather, like on the high seas.

I have a dream that, I do not have to go to a Government Office to get some work done and if at all I need to go, it’s a pleasant experience – offered a seat and I would not mind hot coffee or tea delightfully served. The farther the Government is away from the citizen the better: Government Services must be delivered invisibly.

I have a dream that, when I decide to start a business, the Government comes gushing forth to offer every kind of assistance – without favour of a bribe -and with such transparency, that I can see myself thinking of starting yet another business.

I have a dream that, we have such sensibly designed public transport systems that I can use to go to the Office on time, every day; and that I have no need for a personal vehicle to drive me around. And in my own way contribute to Pollution Control – and cooling the Planet!

I have dream that, the Politicians are true representatives of the people. That they give an ear to those who elected them. That, they do things that are necessary without being told or approached with a Complaint. That they are part of the community, easily accessible rather than being some kind of God, dispensing favours. That, they meet the people often, and become an integral part of them – not some monuments or statues to garland on a birthday.

I have a dream that, to inculcate a sense of discipline, nationalism, and respect for Authority and Command, every adolescent spends time in the Armed Forces. That every citizen follows the Rules-without being told- and even does better than the Rules. If some Rules are impractical, then every attempt should be made to change them by legislation, through elected legislators. We should over a period of time grow wise enough to migrate to having less Rules and Regulations.

I have a dream that, the Members of Parliament and the Members of Legislative Assemblies are persons of integrity and moral values, who win their seats by their own name, by their own education, skills, and capabilities; by what they bring to the table of governance; by the sweat of their brow, rather than that of a symbol or a single person representing that symbol. That Elections are held without a symbol, but a name. That, we have lively brain-storming discussions in legislatures to improve our state of affairs, with honour and dignity, instead of the parochial objectives effortlessly thrown around. That decisions made by the Law-Making Bodies are respected, instead of endless dissent, and any protest is done orderly and peacefully without the slightest hindrance to public life – life must go on.

I have a dream that, Government Schools are the best that there is and is the norm for our kids, than an exception. That even home in the locality sends their children to the nearest school to build a ‘rooted community’ – among other things. That everyone is given equal opportunity to sit for a competitive exam applying equal standards. That, we have a sound National Education Policy adopted by every State in the country with sufficient freedom to add-on to the base template depending on the culture of the State.

I have a dream that, Government Hospitals treat the deserving, equal to any Private-run Hospital; that Health standards are maintained at the highest level.

I have a dream that all freebies promised to people – to win their votes in an Election – are removed and only the basics, say, Education and Healthcare is made free – with necessary checks and balances.

I have a dream that, the Governance system is so benignly tight that there is no scope or need for any kind of corruption in any delivery of a Government service.

I have a dream that, we become a fabulous Sporting Nation winning worthy medals in the Olympics and other Games. That we ‘fight’ and challenge nations in Sport. That Sports is made an integral part of schooling as much as book-learning. And careers can be easily built upon them.

I have a dream that, one day India wins the FIFA Football World Cup. That, an Indian slams the Grand Slam Tennis tournaments – and especially wins the Wimbledon Singles Titles – Men’s and the Women’s.

I have a dream that, people practice religion for self-improvement and use their faith to set an example in everyday life. That people are ‘religious’ in their work and in their assigned duties. That they avoid practicing their religion loudly – menacing all of us with loudspeakers and other noisy jingles.

I have a dream that, Indians drop the loud argumentative Indian streak in them at the Indian Airport of departure, and when arriving in another country, on holiday or otherwise, are the best behaved anywhere in the world. So quiet that they can hear the sounds of their beard growing!

I have a dream that, people learn to listen-with all ears- to understand rather than to reply; that they watch their words and comprehend the fact that, “between what is said and not meant, and what is meant and not said, most of love is lost” (Thanks, Kahlil Gibran).

I have a dream that, people from all walks of life, region, religion, caste, creed, will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood and celebrate their successes, analyse their failures – how to do things better- and celebrate their festival days like their own, yet maintain their own identities, without dissolving them.

I have a dream that, everyone from the northern most State of Jammu & Kashmir to the southern most of Kerala and Tamil Nadu – from Kashmir to Kanyakumari- joins hands together as one nation and sings and dances to the music of India. And sings, “Free at last, free at last, God Almighty, we are free at last.”

Happy Independence Day.

Tomorrow is Another Day!