Viva la Freedom! Can I, Will I, Won't I.......?

"Freedom is not free, but the U.S. Marine Corps will pay most of your share." - Ned Dolan.

"RPG!!! RPG!! Move your butt outta there!!! Need back-up, heavy enemy firing!!" shouted my best pal Ninad. I was just fuddled with so-many bullets waiting to rip my throat off. Two enemy grenades pour cold water over my attempt to kill the hideous Arab dictator, who assassinated the Ukraine president. By the way, the pres was assassinated in public with other civilians being gunned down in groups by the militants. So much chaos in a country that has been nuked by their own country-men. What a disgrace!

No, this was not a dream. The quote that you see above got displayed after I was killed, in the game of course! I sat down playing Call of Duty 4 at my friend's place and the devout COD fan that I am, I just got absorbed in rescuing informants or annihilating terrorist's base and the like. Well, yeah, I was doing this in a very good ambiance with the pleasant air-conditioner blowing cold air above my head and and amidst fragrant air. Hats off to the game developers, the effects actually make you feel that you are part of the U.S. Marine Corps. But, I also dread their situation. So much of slaughtering ever since man came into existence, I do not want to pore over historical events now. Freedom has a price and the price has no monetary value, it defies all materialistic calculation and math, which no top-notch accountant can fathom.


In a world where people judge you by your bank accounts and material possession, we very easily tend to ignore the price of freedom. Be it every field, it is a constant fight to break away from the shackles of everyday life's problems. When we watch small toddlers and babies play and smile, we are elated and full of euphoria. And how we wish that we can swing back time and become kids. If only we could time-travel! Anyway, as a kid, we would eagerly waiting for the weekend to come by and after toiling hard for one full year, we tend to eagerly wait for our Diwali and summer vacations. Freedom is here to stay! Not exactly. Unknowingly or knowlingly, we have to invest all our zing, energy and monies too to be free. But are we really free? Well, we'll see.

I adore all those people who want to be the change they want to see, speaking of which, I am elated about all these people who make their own road. Be the master of your own destiny, come what may. Look at Abhinav Bindra, despite being ostentatiously rich, he decided to quench his thirst, the quench to find a meaning in life. Yes, in the process, he also earned India a gold medal in a solo category, which is commendable, I just hope the bozos operating the so-called "system" get a life and help other budding candidates. So, this incredible feat of his, which the media blared every second till we got really sick of it, had a heavy price of course. In terms of money, he indeed spent a heavy price for learning rifle-shooting and moreover, mastering it. What about time and other compromises that he must have made? I can only gawk. He did not rely on the system to make a headway to success. But, he did rely on his inner-self. The need to be somebody. This would really inspire people to get out of the box and carve a niche for themselves.

Similarly, many other noteworthy people have paid a heavy price to be what they are today. Ah, the sweet smell of success. Then, over-glorified stories follow suit. Good, I say. At least they inspire many a youth to rumble and work harder to do better than the rest. Look at the glorified history lessons, where freedom fighters are described as "the perfect men" sans any negative sides. In my opinion, the human being is like a stereo equalizer. Just like different settings are used for different genres of music, rock and metal sound heavy, pop sounds girlish and hence, their own identities. Similarly, we have different feelings amplified and de-amplified, and all of this collectively, gives shape to our true-character. I do not deny the negative side in me. I am sure you are wondering something about yourselves as well. Having said that, look at all the ex-Vietnamese soldiers. Most of them are into all the wrong stuff, drugs, psychotic killing and hence, we just fail to analyze and understand the events that led to their present situation. Obviously, the circulation of drugs began during the Vietnamese war to a great extent, and it is fraught with so many controversies.Terrorists blowing up places and zeroing in on targets every now and then have all their negative feelings amplified to the core, most of them are brainwashed.

And there is one event that really upsets my inner-self all the time. This one event just makes me feel, when I want to step out on I-day, can I really do so? Can I really express my own freedom of speech right without being shot in public or someplace. Can I really dress the way I want to without being overheard about my dressing sense [Take a bow, girls, this is just for you ;)], Can I really squeal about the "bad criminal guys" and expect not to get my guts blown all over the wall? Can I really touch base upon topics like Child Marriage and the choice to choose your own spouse in a place like Rajasthan? The answer is NO! We Indians and people of other nationalities give in to the hidden freedom barriers and live as though nothing as happened. Time to make waves and bring about change. Change is all about courage, courage and only courage. It takes intrepidity to face your fears and get over them, though it is always a bit lengthy than anticipated. But, hope keeps me alive and I am sure that one day will come sooner or later. The Joker might be strong and a maniac, and there are plenty out there, but, with a legion of white knights, we can move things for good and wipe them out. Easier said than done, but the power of youth is colossal in our nation with 65% accounting for people below 30 years of age. Phenomenal!

As for now, we have one freedom of expression, right. And that is, the right to take a dump on the railway tracks, sidewalks and pee in any suburban area. WOW! Indians sure are privileged in their own way. Long live the undying spirit and courage to show your genitals and then, we cuss all those sultry actresses showing off their assets with panache or even vulgarity though. There is no viewer's discretion here, you have to have a look at it, at least for a split second. Geez. Hypocrisy at its best! Jai [Dharam paa jee Style] :P Hind!