India, the world’s biggest democracy, is not just a nation of over a hundred crore people but also an embodiment of their identity, their rich cultural heritage, unfailing endeavours, ever-increasing technical prowess, impeccable determination and strengthening infrastructure and economy.

India today is empowered.

Our nation is no more the one it was, a hundred years ago, ruled by the British. We have an admirable Constitutional set-up—Legislature, Executive, Judiciary—to take decisions and look after the welfare of the nation, the welfare of all Indians.

Now, the question arises. When we, as a nation, are empowered to take decisions, when we have legal authority to decide for ourselves and for our people, then why is there so much of anarchy all around?

The country seems to have been dumped into the hell of corruption. We hear of scams, the indispensable bribe at each stage of government machinery, the lawlessness, the nexus between politicians and criminals, the corrupt bureaucracy, the distortion of the level playing field, the triumph of mediocrity over excellence...the list is endless. Why this? It’s high time we start introspecting.

Introspect and you will realise the high ideals we set for ourselves 58 years ago. A virtuous vision was framed and so was our Constitution. India was declared a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic and a Republic state ensuring Justice—economic, social, political; Liberty—of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; Equality—of status and opportunity and promoting fraternity.

I really doubt if our policy makers, the leaders of various political parties, the so-called guardians of our Constitution, know the meaning of these words which describe the identity and ideology of our nation.

Introspect and you will see images of people like Mahatma Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, Pandit Nehru, Subhash Chandra Bose, Dr Rajendra Prasad flashing through your mind—leaders who laid the foundation of independent India on the building blocks of patriotism, honesty, hard work, faith, selflessness and courage.

It was their courage that helped them cross the unsurmountable hurdles, swim against the current (the imperialist British rule) and win an independent nation for us and restore our pride and respect.

But what can I say about today? What is the reward for honest, courageous and selfless national service by people like my brother, Satyendra Dubey, and Manjunath? Brutal murders, endless tears in the eyes of parents, the family and loved ones. And then starts the drama of promises and retribution.

The world starts praising, giving awards (posthumously) but who works to eradicate ‘‘corruption’’, that brutal murderer? No doubt we have come a long way since Independence. The standard of living has risen, there are technological advancements, the country is striving to achieve economic stability. We are a developing nation which is empowered to frame its foreign and national policies keeping in mind the interests of its people. But so long as power is vested in the hands of leaders who are drenched in corruption and hypocrisy, the outcome will always be the heart-rending deaths of our IITians, IIM students and many more unheard and unknown sons of our motherland.

Why is today’s youth so frustrated and directionless? What is the reason for brain drain? Why does an honest officer face several transfer orders until he’s dumped in an unworthy office? Who are the role models for today’s young generation? Why are Silicon Valleys not in India itself? Why are anti-social forces thriving?

It’s high time we introspect. All prevalent problems point to the same direction—the depth to which corruption has seeped into our system, weakening its very roots. Our vision of empowered India refers to empowerment at each and every level—the empowerment of every Indian. Every Indian should be empowered to work with honesty and to seek safety. Our present education system needs to be reformed. Instead of changing the school syllabus to match ideologies and whims and fancies of every passing government, we must try to elevate facilities in schools as well as research institutes to international standards. Raising educational standards will not only increase the literacy rate but also reflect on the scientific and technological advancements of our nation. As we watch tears rolling down a mother’s eye, it is time we realise the need to give up selfish motives and work towards a better India. An India free from corruption, free from racial prejudices, no more stained by the blood of her devoted sons. Where the brother of a Satyendra Dubey has pride, not only anger to assuage his grief.