India – Medha Patkar asks Can We Be Proud Of Such Independence? #Song

On the India’s 70th Independence Day, the longest and most recognised people’s movement in independent India is on dock, despite it being non-violent, worked relentlessly for the tribals and farmers who are affected by the mighty Sardar Sarovar (Narmada) dam, consistently raised issues of displacement and rehabilitation, and helped country ponder over a question which sums up the ‘development debate’ – who decides who sacrifices for whose development?

32 year old Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) commemorates the Independence Day while its key activists – Medha Patkar, Dhurji Bhai, Vijay Bhai, Santu Bhai are in different jails on false cases – a price they pay for being steadfast on their demand of just rehabilitation.

Almost 2 decades after Medha composed this song, it has never been more relevant than today.A song, which makes us think about our independent India.

Medha Patkar

When millions are evicted in the name of nation’s development

Can we be proud of such independence?

When the forests, the life and culture,

Nurtured for centuries are destroyed forcibly

Can we be proud of such independence?

The nature suffering silently, reminds

Wake up the consumerist, or else we perish.

Can we be proud of such independence?

The dreams of ‘foreign’ land, remain chained in foreign hands

Without shame, they mortgage the country,

To bring suffering to all.

Can we be proud of such independence?

The loot prospers only few,

While millions struggle to survive,

Such distribution is injustice and inequitable.

Can we be proud of such independence?

They, who believe, destruction is development,

Are in a trap.

Unfortunately, those who speak the truth face the police and jail.

Can we be proud of such independence?

Don’t embrace the song, let the chains clash,

The free people, let us fight for true independence.

Let people ask,

Why they be evicted, always, in the name of nation’s development?

When millions are evicted in the name of nation’s development

Can we be proud of such independence?