The Indomitable Spirit of Independence

Ishtiaq Ahmed

London: Pakistanis around the globe, wherever they may be and for whatever reasons they may be there, enthusiastically welcome and celebrate August 14 with joyful elation. This is how it should be, as it is undeniably the most auspicious calendar date for the millions of Pakistanis marking the birth of their beloved Pakistan.
On this day, they set aside their long-held grievances about their letdowns, failed aspirations, unfulfilled ambitions, unrealised dreams, broken promises, poverty and neglect, abuse of trust, inequalities, and injustices to embrace the spirit of independence and the inherent sense of freedom and pride that goes with it.
Although, for millions of Pakistanis all over the world, Pakistan in many respects remains an unfulfilled dream, their sense of pride in its creation has not faded. They are able to look back and hold their heads high.
The State of Pakistan came into being on August 14, 1947. For millions, this meant throwing away the shackles of subjugation en route to achieving a safe haven; a long-awaited and hard-earned opportunity to shape their destiny as free people.
Even though, Pakistan’s journey over the last seventy-six years has been riddled with intentional and unintentional mishaps, the spirit of independence remains high despite the current crisis situation on many fronts. The national pride remains infectious. Maybe, the ideal of freedom, at least for the day, takes over all the other shortcomings. It is so precious that nothing else really matters.

As someone said, “I will rather be free and hungry than slave and hungry.” Some may also say, “It is better to be free and hungry than to be fed and a slave.” Throughout, human history, the quest for freedom has remained an uninterrupted constant.

It is the same spirit that we see in Kashmir and Palestine. It is the same spirit that was cherished by Martain Luthier King and Malcolm X in America, Nelson Mandela in South Africa and is now being seen in many parts of the world.

It is this very real sense of independence and the inherent sense of freedom that goes with it that millions of Pakistanis wherever they may be, put aside their daily struggles and grievances to come together, united in the spirit of nationhood. This is also true for British Pakistanis. In Britain, Up and down the country, in many towns and cities, the Independence Day celebrations are organised with great enthusiasm and gaiety.

This is no different for Bradford, reverently referred to as Little Pakistan. Our day started with a flag-raising ceremony at the Pakistan consulate, followed by a cricket match and barbecue, even in the relentless downpour.

The day ended with a family Independence Day dinner by Pakistan Society West Yorkshire which has become a calendar fixture attended by guests from diverse communities throughout the region. Throughout the day the mood was that of pride and jubilation. Long may live our Pakistan.

The author is a British citizen of Pakistani origin with a keen interest in Pakistani and international affairs.

Photo Credit: Ishtiaq Ahmed