Hopes Revived-The gift of independence

As i struggle to get to work
and reach office on time
Reading the newspaper filled
with issues of rising crime.

As i break a couple of traffic rules
driving and attending calls
Cursing and honking at other cars
as traffic snarls and crawls.

Selling Indian flags from car to car
a poor boy goes about
'India is free, so take your flags,'
he continuously shouts.

He comes to my car and taps on the glass
as the  i roll it down
Wondering about the sea of poverty
and in how India drowns.

I think about politicians looting us
the people in need
India is progressing today
but in corruption it continues to lead.

A piece of news catches my eye
of crimes against women
'Why can't the government protect
them,so that these crimes don't happen.'

The next page talks of separatists
as through India they draw lines
'To whom does India belong?
Your religion or mine?'

Neighbouring countries mock and taunt
on a thing we never agree
Ceasefires violated and boundaries scarred
'Was this the cost of becoming free?'

The traffic moves at snail's pace
and the signal, a beckoning green
But i haven't moved an inch
and red is already seen.

So back to our newspaper now
as pockets are eaten by prices
'Our country is in doldrums now
with crisis over crisis.'

As i curse our Government
the traffic divides now
As cars move to the side of roads
an ambulance to pass, they allow.

A man steps out of his car
and he directs the traffic with great patience
Our hopes are revived and that is
the Gift of Independence.

India will get better
even though a lot has to be done
If we the people be the change
half our battle is won.