62 years of Independence
My I-day was spent by watching documentaries from 2-6pm on Fox History Channel.
Some of the points I want to gather here:
1) Britain ruled 1/3rd of the world in the early 20th century - from Great Britain to India, from Singapore to Australia, from Africa to Canada. Their imperial rule has a history of about 250 years.
2) In 1942, India was promised independence when she agreed to support Britain in World War II. 2-million Indian troops fought the war with a serious question in their minds, "Why are we fighting FOR British when we are actually fighting for independence?"
3) Lord Mountbatten was made the Viceroy in March 1947. Within few weeks, he had numerous talks with representatives from Indian Congress and the Muslim League. With no end to debates on freeing up India as ONE, it was decided to be split as two countries.
4) 100,000 or so White population which ruled India for more than 2 centuries had to leave India in few weeks! It must have been a very dramatic event in World History on Aug 15 1947.
5) While media and dignitaries were sharing this news around the globe, bloodshed and massacre was the scene in Punjab. Nearly 10 million migrated on the borders of India and Pakistan. Around 1 million lost their lives because of voilence.
6) In a span of 20 years, Britist Empire around the globe gave up their footprint in most parts. Even though it was a relief to home countries, it was always pathetic situation to leave a country in a mess to resolve starvation, slavery, etc.
Lastly, every Indian should think how the feeling would have been to all the freedom fighters on this same day 62 years ago. Freedom from a foreign rule - a rule where 100,000-odd people ruled 350 million with utter slavery. When these 100,000-odd moved back to England, there was unemployment there.
When Australia was given complete independence, their goal was to get more resource from outside and develop the country. 500,000 Europeans (including Germans!) were invited to Australia in chartered ships for a charge of 10 pounds. Non-whites were not allowed to immigrate though with this policy.
In 1960s, England wanted labour class and it was the time when Jamaica was freed from British rule. England opened doors for 100,000 Jamaicans offering jobs initially. Once they stepped on British soil, Jamaicans came to know that there is nothing for them as the Whites were not allowing any elite positions to work in. As days passed by, Britain realised that this policy was turning against them and they closed the policy saying, 'We are stopping that policy now. Stopping doesn't mean that people already here have to leave and go back. It just means that, we have enough of you here now.' This enraged the community and created clashed between whites and non-whites.
Was it good to have them rule us? Else, would it have been better? We are just 62 year old nation and we have a long way to go.
Bharat Mata ki Jai!
Some of the points I want to gather here:
1) Britain ruled 1/3rd of the world in the early 20th century - from Great Britain to India, from Singapore to Australia, from Africa to Canada. Their imperial rule has a history of about 250 years.
2) In 1942, India was promised independence when she agreed to support Britain in World War II. 2-million Indian troops fought the war with a serious question in their minds, "Why are we fighting FOR British when we are actually fighting for independence?"
3) Lord Mountbatten was made the Viceroy in March 1947. Within few weeks, he had numerous talks with representatives from Indian Congress and the Muslim League. With no end to debates on freeing up India as ONE, it was decided to be split as two countries.
4) 100,000 or so White population which ruled India for more than 2 centuries had to leave India in few weeks! It must have been a very dramatic event in World History on Aug 15 1947.
5) While media and dignitaries were sharing this news around the globe, bloodshed and massacre was the scene in Punjab. Nearly 10 million migrated on the borders of India and Pakistan. Around 1 million lost their lives because of voilence.
6) In a span of 20 years, Britist Empire around the globe gave up their footprint in most parts. Even though it was a relief to home countries, it was always pathetic situation to leave a country in a mess to resolve starvation, slavery, etc.
Lastly, every Indian should think how the feeling would have been to all the freedom fighters on this same day 62 years ago. Freedom from a foreign rule - a rule where 100,000-odd people ruled 350 million with utter slavery. When these 100,000-odd moved back to England, there was unemployment there.
When Australia was given complete independence, their goal was to get more resource from outside and develop the country. 500,000 Europeans (including Germans!) were invited to Australia in chartered ships for a charge of 10 pounds. Non-whites were not allowed to immigrate though with this policy.
In 1960s, England wanted labour class and it was the time when Jamaica was freed from British rule. England opened doors for 100,000 Jamaicans offering jobs initially. Once they stepped on British soil, Jamaicans came to know that there is nothing for them as the Whites were not allowing any elite positions to work in. As days passed by, Britain realised that this policy was turning against them and they closed the policy saying, 'We are stopping that policy now. Stopping doesn't mean that people already here have to leave and go back. It just means that, we have enough of you here now.' This enraged the community and created clashed between whites and non-whites.
Was it good to have them rule us? Else, would it have been better? We are just 62 year old nation and we have a long way to go.
Bharat Mata ki Jai!
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