Respected Principal, honourable teachers and my dear friends, a very good morning to all of you and a happy Independence Day!
I am Riya Patil of Std X A, and today I would like to share my thoughts on ‘India of my dreams’.
More than seventy years ago our freedom fighters won political freedom for us. But, as Rabindranath Tagore prayed, true freedom means freedom of the mind. The India of my dreams is a country where every citizen is fearless and walks with his head held high.
In my India, knowledge will be free. Every child, whether a boy or a girl, rich or poor, will go to school. There will be no walls of caste, religion, class or language dividing us; we will live as one family. People will speak the truth and work honestly and tirelessly. Superstitions and harmful customs will give way to scientific thinking. Our villages will have clean water, good roads, hospitals and electricity, and our cities will be clean and green. Farmers and soldiers will be respected, and women will be safe and equal in every field. India will lead the world in science, technology and peace.
Friends, this dream will come true only if each one of us does our duty sincerely. Let us promise today to study hard, keep our surroundings clean and treat everyone with respect.
Thank you for listening patiently. Jai Hind!
