Republic 64

The new age young Bangalorean wants to see everything from trendy uniforms on autorickshaw drivers, jam sessions on the streets to getting their dues, the Jan Lokpal Bill implemented and breaking down gender specific dress codes in tomorrow's India. Well, these are just some of the 64 things they wish for as the country celebrates its 64th Independence Day today. Aladdin's genie might fail. But the indomitable spirit of young India is determined to bring about these changes. Salaam to that!

Last year, on the 63rd year of India's independence, the great grandchildren of freedom fighters told us what freedom meant to them in this day and age. This year, on the 64th year since the country walked free, we decided to hand over the mic to four young people with new age careers, hobbies and orientations who listedu00a0u00a0 the 64 changes they would like to see and kickstart in independent India. Their time starts now.

Ruhi Sheikh,
Studying Chartered Accountancy and fashion blogger at https://www.republicofchic.blogspot.com/. Loves all things fashion, shoots herself dressed up in high street and thrift finds, with a little help from her sister and her latest acquisition, a vintage Diana Mini Freedom lomographic camera.
1. More respect and support to women social workers and activists
2. The queer community should be bestowedu00a0 with legal rights
3. Less slack-jawed by-standers on our streets
4. Reverse brain drain into the country
5. No more media circuses where all the clowns come to play
6. More recycling drives
7. Homes for street dogs
8. Ban on crowded (junk) food courts
9. Skinny-dipping (been there, done that, recommend it to independent Indians)
10. Knee-length is unacceptable. There should be policies on the length of football shorts and tennis skirts
11. One child. More condoms.
12. An education revolution. An equal, standardized curriculum for government and private educational institutions. Food revolution in all schools, government ones especially
13. More laws to protect our flora and fauna
14. Better uniforms for the auto drivers. Better auto drivers
15. Mandatory voting
16. Free Trade in Fashion. Empower artisans, both social and environmental responsibility
17. Less narrow-vision regionalismu00a0
u00a0
Vineeth Vincent,
Student and Beat Boxer, has set a Guinness Book of World Record by leading 1,246 participants in the world's largest human beat box ensemble.
18. When I'm out for a cycle ride I should see more trees than vehicles
19. Collecting taxes should not mean police collecting protection money from street vendors and shops
20. No need to pay 'tea money' to government officials for paper work
21. Student discount in all public transport including autos
22.u00a0 Food at restaurants should not cost as much a month's rent
23. People should not use their SUVs for that one km walk to the park.
24. Musicians can stand on the side of the road,u00a0 perform, collect money in their hankies, have respect in society and still make a decent living
25. Organised sector of employment will not mean eunuchs, children and beggars waiting at signals to earn their living. Government should ensure employment for all
26. The youth should realise that getting high does not solve problems
27. The school bag should not weigh more than the child
28. Artistes should not just be provided platforms to showcase but also be paid
29. Being patriotic will not only mean looking back at the past and hoisting a flag. It would mean being socially upright and responsible
30. Home for the homeless
31. When something goes really wrong, we should do more thanu00a0
praying
32. Parents realise they don't have to lift their hand against their child in order to correct them
33. Every business, organisation, industry, politician, citizen, etc realise that they need to work
together and not against each otheru00a0 to prosper

Kartik Iyer,
stand-up comedian and advertising professional, set his feet into the business of laughter five years ago and is known for his act Higher Iyer. He likes to take pot shots at nearly everything under the sun.

34. India to be a global super power
35. Have a breed of educated leaders
36. Zero corruption
37. Give our villages the infrastructure they need
38. Pay office bearers good salary so they never feel the need to steal
39. Be good at other sports besides cricket
40. Have a mentally and physically fit police force
41. Make better cars
42. Make the value of the rupee equal to the Sterling or the Euro, so we can enjoy better international holidays
43. The Jan Lok Pal Bill
44. Not have spiritual practitioners and movie stars in politics
45. Push up the pride of being Indian
46. Have a legal system that is decisive and quick
47. Have Kasab punished immediately
48. Win an Oscar for best direction and actor or Movie of the Year
49. Stronger, Fitter Indians
u00a0

Abishek Smurthy,
living life under the reading down of article 377 and Store Manager at Fab India. He is a fashion lover and calls himself a free-spirited hippie with good hygiene and style
50. Government should push funds to ensure that the rural population, which is 70 per cent of India, becomes self sufficient
51. The queer community should be treated as the rest of the population and granted equal social and political rights. Also, they should be able to enjoy rights to marriage, adoption among others
52. Stop depending on machine made and imported products. Instead revive indigenous industries
53. Enough employment opportunities for the youth
54. Right to education should be properly implemented and government should collaborate with schools for better facilities
55. Power, water and fuel should be subsidised for all
56. Prostitution should be legalised and treated as a profession. It will reduce crime and bring social stability
57. Bangalore should be a 24-hour city with no deadlines
58. There should be no prejudices in renting houses to single people and the LGBTIQ community
59. There should be no dress code in order to break gender stereotypes. A man should be able to wear a sari if he wants to
60. Religion should have nothing to do with policy making in India
61. Healthy eating should be practiced instead of aping Western food habitsu00a0
62. No censorship on books and filmsu00a0
63. Education should be liberal and an individual's intellect should not be judged through bookish knowledgeu00a0u00a0
64. Taxes should be reduced and the break up should depend on one's earning