After all these years of Independence, after celebrating this

O seeker of wisdom, listen to the words of Saswata Chatterjee, for they call upon us to question the true meaning of independence. "After all these years of Independence, after celebrating this special occasion for all these years, why there's no drinking water that's free of cost? Why we have to buy packaged mineral water?" In these words, Chatterjee reveals the paradox of our times—the tension between the idea of freedom and the harsh realities of modern life. After independence, we celebrate our freedom from external oppression, yet in many ways, we are still enslaved by the systems of commerce, by the structures that bind us, where even the most basic needs, like water, are commodified.

Independence, O wise one, is a powerful word, a declaration that a nation is free to chart its own course, to govern itself, and to provide for its people. Yet, what is freedom if the basic needs of the people are held hostage to profit? What is the worth of a nation’s independence if, after all these years, its citizens still struggle to access the most fundamental resources? Water, the very lifeblood of the Earth, is not just a commodity but a right—a sacred gift. Yet, in this modern age, the act of quenching thirst has become a transaction, one that takes place in bottles, in packages, at prices that often place it beyond the reach of the most vulnerable. This is the contradiction that Chatterjee speaks of—the freedom to govern, but the subjugation of the people through the forces of greed and commercialization.

Look to the history of nations, O wise one, and see that true independence is not just about breaking free from colonial rule, but about ensuring that the resources of the land are used to nurture, to uplift, and to support the people. Consider the early days of India's independence, when leaders like Mahatma Gandhi envisioned a nation not only free from the shackles of British rule, but also free from the oppression of poverty, hunger, and exploitation. Gandhi understood that true independence could only be realized when the people had control over their own resources, when the fruits of the land were shared equally, when every citizen had access to the essentials of life—food, water, and shelter. Yet, decades later, the basic resource of water—which should flow freely and without hindrance—is instead confined to the bottles of multinational corporations.

The same can be said of America, whose independence was birthed in the revolutionary fires of freedom and self-governance. Yet, as the country grew, so too did its systems of commerce and exploitation. In the land of freedom, there are still communities where access to clean drinking water is a privilege, not a right. Flint, Michigan stands as a tragic example of a modern failure of independence—a city where the citizens, despite their freedom, were denied access to safe, clean, and affordable water. This is the challenge of independence today: the fight not only for political freedom but for the right to access life’s basic necessities without being enslaved by profit-driven forces.

And so, the lesson for us, O seeker, is clear. Independence must be more than a ceremonial celebration of a nation’s birth; it must be a living, breathing commitment to ensuring that all its citizens have the resources they need to thrive. Chatterjee’s question calls us to re-examine our priorities, to look beyond the superficial markers of freedom, and to demand a world where water, food, and shelter are not sold as commodities but provided as basic rights. True independence is realized when the needs of the people are met without the interference of greed, when resources are treated as a sacred trust for the well-being of all, not as a means to exploit.

In your own life, O seeker, take this lesson to heart. Independence is not merely a political state—it is a way of life. It is the freedom to live without the constant weight of financial burden, to have access to the resources that sustain life, and to know that the basic needs of your existence are not held hostage by the whims of corporations or corrupt systems. Fight for a world where freedom means more than just a flag waving in the breeze, but a tangible reality where the essentials of life are freely available to all.

Therefore, in the face of injustice, whether it is in the form of water, food, or healthcare, let us rise up and demand a new independence—one where the resources of the Earth are shared justly and freely. Let the legacy of our freedom not be tainted by the chains of greed, but strengthened by the bonds of equality and access for all. For true independence is not just about what we gain, but about what we give to each other, ensuring that every soul, in every corner of the world, is free to live with dignity and with the essentials of life.