Let us not take our hard-fought freedoms for granted

This picture has been used for representational purpose

The buzzword as we approach August 15, is independence or freedom. Though more subdued because of the pandemic, virtual events and new ways of marking a milestone, the beginning of the 75th year of Independence, are already buzzing on platforms.

We welcome some creative and stirring ways by the city to mark our freedom. There are going to be running teams conducting events to mark the milestone. An initiative where housing societies will be offered rainwater harvesting technology and learning, is designed to make Mumbaikars free of dependence on a robust monsoon. This paper has already detailed how an Operation Blood Flood is planned for August 15, a massive blood donation camp to collect as many units as possible.

While these are events to mark the historical day of freedom, the freedoms we are talking about now are more easing of restrictions for Mumbaikars. The big one, trains for the fully vaccinated and now eating establishments to be open till late certainly mean ease, opening up, relaxation and unlocking.

Like we venerate our historical Independence, celebrate our heroes who helped us throw off the yoke of British rule, we need to respect freedoms, though they come in a very different context. Masking, distancing and hygiene have to be assiduously followed, in fact, with more rigour as the chains fall off one by one.

We have to prove that we have earned this freedom, deserve it and are actually worthy of the new status quo. Remember that our frontline warriors have made the ultimate sacrifice in this fight against Covid, just like our historical heroes did against a different enemy. As we salute the latter, let us not forget our present-day fighters and the huge cost of our contemporary battle. Greater freedom means more responsibility.