Independence Day is here. If not already, you will soon be hounded by special holiday packages, special offers and sales at every possible mall and store – all in the name of Independence Day.

It is interesting how the meaning of August 15 has changed over the years, hasn’t it? We wear our Indianess outside as much as inside.

I have seen a whole new breed of youngsters emerge, and who are not just proud of being Indians, but are also extremely serious about carrying forward the Indian values of respect and culture and making it a part of their identity.

That is not to say all his hunky dory, however. India is still struggling with people who want to push their communal agenda. We see many Indians criticising their own country when they are in a gathering of foreigners. I also know Indians who buy anything not-so-great but foreign-made over something that is made in India. I would like to believe such people are in a minority.

The “Make in India” campaign is a way to change the impression of India and its product offerings. We have some world-class products, all made right here in our country. Look at the fine quality of our cotton and the host of generic medicines that are exported abroad. Our designer wear has the fashion world raving about it and paying homage to it on the ramp. Why, look at the way the 100sareepact has made the fashionista and the everyday woman reclaim her wardrobe full of the flowing fabric. Indian professionals and top executives of Indian origin in the corporate world have already shown the world our mettle.

A reason why we have Harshvardhan Neotia on the cover. Mr Neotia was conferred the Padma Shri in 1999, for his outstanding work in the field of social housing. So at 38, he was one of the youngest recipients of the award. In our Looking Back section, we have Sanjna Kapoor, who not only carried forward her grandparents’ legacy ahead, but has also redefined theatre for the younger generation.

Everyone seems to be doing their bit and that is what matters. For that is how we will show the pride in being Indian. Like the famous dialogue from the blockbuster Rang de Basanti (which is sure to play again on television during the Independence Day weekend), “Koi bhi desh perfect nahin hota; use perfect banana hota hai” (No country is perfect, it has to be made perfect) Let us all do our bit to nurture that perfection. A reason why we look at MBD’s efforts in making the world a better place, as featured in the Good Karma section.

So go on, let us all keep doing our bit. For it’s with small steps that we start a big journey.

This Independence Day, I dedicate to all of us this great poem by Rabindranath Tagore.

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high Where knowledge is free Where the world has not been broken up into fragments By narrow domestic walls Where words come out from the depth of truth Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit Where the mind is led forward by thee Into ever-widening thought and action Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.