The Freedom We Got vs. The Freedom We Chose

Happy 79th Independence Day!!

We celebrate freedom every year, but do we actually understand it? Or has freedom become an excuse to break rules and forget our responsibilities?

This 15th August morning, I woke up to the disturbing noise of loud exhausts and continuous honking by a group of bikers near my home. It instantly took me back to my good old school days when Independence Day carried a very different vibe—a sense of pride, a feeling of freedom, and a day filled with the reverberance of patriotic songs and themes.

However, these days, at least in my city, the occasion has sadly turned into an excuse to create nuisance on the roads through bike rallies, blaring exhausts, endless honking, and blocking traffic. Many young people think this is what freedom means—to break rules, behave in an uncivilised manner, and act as if they are above the law.

This left me wondering: Is this the freedom we got, or the one we chose?

Over time, the memory of India’s great struggle for independence has gradually faded, especially among the youth. For a generation that has always lived in a free nation, freedom often feels like something natural, almost taken for granted, rather than a treasure won through immense pain, sacrifice, and courage. Instead of seeing freedom as a responsibility to build a better nation, many now view it merely as the right to do as they please. This risks turning a hard-earned gift into an overlooked privilege, weakening the spirit of our freedom fighters.

The Freedom We Got:

  • Freedom of Choice: To speak, to vote, to express, to believe.

  • Freedom of Opportunity: To study, to work, to dream.

  • Freedom of Dignity: To stand tall as a sovereign nation.

These freedoms were meant to uplift society, unite people, and create a progressive nation.

The Freedom We Chose:

  • Youth: Freedom to break rules.

  • Society: Misuse of freedom of speech to spread hate and misinformation.

  • Social Media: Often used to divide and troll.

This is not the freedom our forefathers dreamed of. True freedom does not mean doing whatever we want, but doing what is right.

A Lesson from Japan:

When you look at Indian and Japanese youth side by side, the contrast is pretty striking. Young people in India are energetic, creative, and always ready to try something new. But let’s be honest—sometimes that energy also turns into impatience, shortcuts, or even uncivilised behaviour in social spaces.

In Japan, youth are almost the opposite. They are incredibly disciplined, super punctual, and carry a strong sense of responsibility in everything they do - whether it’s school, work, or simply behaving in public. This makes them reliable and consistent.

Now imagine if Indian youth could combine their natural creativity and risk-taking spirit with the Japanese style of discipline and accountability. We would be unstoppable. The key is to balance both: keep the fire of innovation alive, but ground it with responsibility and respect. Freedom works best when it walks hand in hand with responsibility.

The Way Forward:

  • Relearn the meaning of freedom – It is not the absence of rules, but the presence of values.

  • Use freedom for growth – Education, innovation, and social contribution.

  • Balance rights with duties – Enjoy your rights, but respect the rights of others.

  • Build a civilized society – Where freedom is expressed through kindness, responsibility, and respect.

The freedom we got was a gift from our forefathers who dedicated their lives to the fight for independence. The freedom we choose today defines who we are as a nation.

The freedom we got in 1947 was priceless. But the freedom we choose every day is what shapes our future. The question is: Are we truly honouring the legacy of those who gave us independence, or are we slowly forgetting its value in the name of convenience and carelessness?

I’d love to hear your thoughts - what does freedom mean to you today? Do you feel we, as a society, are using it responsibly? Share your ideas - I’m curious to know how you see the balance between freedom and responsibility.

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