I dedicate Independence Day, to the memory of my Grandfather who was a freedom fighter. I was witness to his enthusiasm, to bring back nationalism as a living movement in his ripe age. I salute all our freedom fighters on this occasion, those great souls who pioneered our Independence movement. Their saga of sacrifice has realized the remarkable and gallant vision of heralding an independent nation.

I remember him with reverence and gratitude, not just for his brush with freedom fighting that liberated us from centuries of foreign rule, but more so, for that rare glimpse of 'Simple Living and High Thinking'. I grew up, not on fairy tales, but countless incidents retold with such fervor.

Every year, I get Independence Day Greetings from some my friends who have settled abroad, their image of India is frozen as to when they first left India. In short visits here, it is easy to see the external changes from the congestion and pollution to the express highways, shopping malls and the proliferating westernization. But the deeper change that is happening in India and Indian attitudes is much harder to fathom. Even as the old India exists, side-by-side a new India is being created - one in which people are as comfortable eating Idly/ Vada in a roadside Udupi restaurant as a Mc Chicken at Mc Donalds.

The contrasts are stark, the opinions divided. Even as new residential and commercial complexes sprout all over the country, a few rains wash away the roads - every year. Even as Indians discover Goa and Kerala for their holidays, an equal number discovers exotic locations like New Zealand and Greece! Even though India has some of the world's best cricketers, the team hardly ever wins. Even as India produces the largest number of films, what our best earn is less than what Harry Potter did in a single day in the US. The list will go on.

Can India and Indians change? Can India really become a Great Nation in the coming years? Can we build the India of our Dreams in this generation? Can we do this despite our politicians and bureaucrats? How can what's happening in the world of Technology help us do this? Or is India the perpetual also-ran?

As we celebrate 58 years of Independence, I am by nature an optimist. Living in India, teaches you to think - tomorrow has to better than today! I also believe that us ordinary people can do extraordinary deeds. What India becomes or doesn't become is up to each one of us - and we can all make a difference.

My earliest recollection of Independence day celebrations are, when at the break of dawn the entire village would gather for flag hoisting at the Gandhi Maidan. My Grandfather dressed in immaculate white would walk up to the podium and hoist the flag, my little chest would swell with pride. He never celebrated his birthday, since no one had actually bothered to record details of his birth, for him this was a more important occasion. I look around with nostalgia at what Independence Day celebrations are reduced to today, the kids are elated only because it is a holiday. Everyone around planning a weekend getaway, thanks to the three day break, miniature plastic flags sold in traffic signals, wouldn't be surprised if they were 'Made in China'. Popular TV channels playing commercial movies like LOC and Border to commemorate Independence Day. Every other industry from Aviation to Telecom churning out some marketing gimmick to venerate Independence Week and increase sales.

What will we be remembered for?