Common sense has always been misnamed: it's among the hardest things to find. But never before has such large-scale stupidity thrived as it is in India today.

 

Our education system is being turned from tool of progress to tool of propaganda. Our students, the unwitting victims.

Godmen and godwomen abound, taking advantage of the gullible. Exploiting them in the name of god and religion.

 

It's not belief that we need to fight, but those that take advantage of that faith. We need to fight the small mindedness and misguided disruptions of those who've lost sight of the big picture in their petty agendas.

 

As India turns 68, let us place a premium on intellect. Let us put our value in values that we've arrived at through logic and reason. Let us expand our horizons and broaden our minds so that we leave no room for stupidity. Let India at 68 be an intelligent India.

 

In a democracy, one should be able to voice one's thoughts. Even if they are contrarian to the official line of thinking. It is this diversity of opinion that leads to the breaking of outdated mindsets. Dissent is not a danger to progress. It is, in most cases, the genesis of progress.

Dissent is only feared by those who toe the official line but lack the conviction or evidence to argue it. With that in mind, let India at 68 be a country that hears the voices of dissent in the wind, and judge them on merit, not fear. Let us welcome those who would question our established ways of thinking, and when there is merit in the dissent, heed it.
Let us broaden our minds and open our ears, not just to things we agree with, but especially to thinking we do not agree with it.

(This video was shot and edited for Catch News. You can read the full piece/watch this video using the following link:
 http://www.catchnews.com/video-news/freeinindia-freedom-from-stupidity-1439578363.html

 http://www.catchnews.com/video-news/freeinindia-freedom-to-dissent-1439799145.html )