Written by Saanchi Biyani, a grade 4 student.

The 74^th Independence Day. It has been a long journey, since 1947. India has come quite far, and, it is all thanks to the sacrifices made by the freedom fighters; the sacrifices to make our future bright and secure. Being lived as slaves for almost 200 years, and then, claiming freedom back for all, make them great leaders. I have read and heard a lot of stories about them and it has always given me goosebumps. Those were really tough years. But as we say, tough times do not long, but, tough people do. Respect to all the freedom fighters. But today, 73 years after Independence, can you say, that you are really living in a free society? Have you made an attempt to introspect, what India has achieved as a country? What has been good and what has been bad? Well, there is no specific answer, or, let me put in this way, that there would always be a mixed response. I would suggest and request that for some time, sit, relax, and think about this and also think how have you contributed – has it been positive or negative? But my primary question remains the same – do you think you are living in free India, where you have the freedom to do as you wish?

As an 8-year-old girl, my response is mixed. Mixed, because, my parents, would be reading this piece of work (taking a pause….), ok, forget it, even if they are reading it, let me be honest with you all – I think I do not have much of freedom as most of my time is being controlled by my parents. To me, freedom is all about, I, me, and myself. Freedom to watch cartoon series, freedom to sleep, freedom to eat fast food (burger, pizza), freedom to wear my choice of dress, freedom to play with Barbie Dolls – in short, freedom to live happily and peacefully. Though, I am allowed to do all these things, but, in a controlled manner. Does this prohibit my freedom? Now, it’s a mixed response, and, yes, this time, I ain’t lying. I am allowed to do these things, though, my wish has always been, that it should be unlimited. I understand the consequences, but, then, the elders need to understand the heart of a child. Let me play as a child, before I enter the teenage, before I become an adult.

But the year 2020 has really been different. Different from all aspects. Looking back, the last 5 months have been challenging. I have been fortunate enough when I think of people who have been stranded in different places, and have been struggling with life, during these tough times. Though this year, neither, I want to play with Barbie Doll, nor, I want to watch TV all around, I want “FREEDOM FROM COVID19 FOR ALL”. I want that the schools should reopen soon and I get a chance to meet all my friends whom I am missing a lot. I want all people to meet their family members freely and spend time together. I want to see kids playing in children’s park. I want to see people exercising freely. I want to see people going for movies. I want to see the Indian big fat wedding where people are dancing crazy. I want to see elders, like, grandparents, moving freely, enjoying the nature, and walking around the parks. I want to see people being their own-self and having fun, living without any fear. Well, this would be the biggest FREEDOM, for this year.

Let’s be like the freedom fighters; they fought to give us a free India; we together fight to free India from COVID19.