Reflections on Independence Day: Villages, Humanity, and Entrepreneurship
As India celebrates another Independence Day, I find myself reflecting on the deeper meaning of freedom. After moving here almost two years ago, one of the most transformative experiences for me was spending a month in a remote village, teaching entrepreneurship to children who had never been exposed to such ideas.
In those moments, I realized that true nation-building is not about turning villages into cities, but about nurturing human potential—about giving every child the dignity to dream, create, and rise above circumstances. Civilization is not measured by skyscrapers, but by how many villages we allow to grow, thrive, and contribute to the collective future.
India’s independence reminds us that freedom is not just political—it is also social and economic. And in these classrooms, I witnessed that freedom take root in young minds, eager to learn, to innovate, and to transform their own communities.
This Independence Day, I also wrote a poem reflecting my own opinion about this situation—about how power, progress, and human dignity often collide in the story of India’s villages. It is both a critique and a hope, a reminder that the journey from “being counted as votes” to “being recognized as humans” is still unfolding.
For me, India’s villages are not just the heart of the nation—they are the frontier of its future.
आज़ाद भारत के गाँव,
शहर बनने चले थे—
मगर कस्बों में क़ैद रह गए।
सभ्यता की पहचान यही है,
कितने गाँवों को शहर बनने दिया हमने।
मगर सत्ता के गलियारों के ज़मींदारों ने
यह तय किया—
किधर जाएगी सभ्यता,
और कहाँ उतरेगी पशुता।
उन्होंने दीवारें बनाईं,
डिग्रियाँ बाँटी,
फ़ाइलों में भविष्य दबाया।
गाँव को शहर नहीं बनने दिया,
शहर को गाँव पर थोप दिया—
ताकि वोट गिने जा सकें।
हर बाबू, हर नेता, हर बिचौलिया—
तय करता रहा
कौन पशु से मानव बनेगा,
और कौन हमेशा पशु ही रहेगा।
पुलिस ने तय किया—
वह मानव से पशु बन सकती है,
पर इंसान को इंसान रहने का हक़ नहीं।
शिक्षक ने तय किया—
चेतना नहीं जगानी,
सिर्फ़ सत्ता की अलख जगानी है।
और आज—
गाँव से शहर की ओर नहीं बढ़ रही सभ्यता,
बल्कि शहर से गाँव की ओर
उतर रही है पशुता।
Hindi poetry Hindi poetry independence day indias freedom
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Kunal Jain View All →
Welcome to my world of entrepreneurship, innovation, and social impact.
I am Kunal Jain, a social entrepreneur, mentor, and business leader who has spent the last two decades building and scaling businesses in the U.S. and India. After moving to the United States in 2003 with just a few hundred dollars, I pursued the American Dream, establishing multiple successful ventures in Revenue Cycle Management (RCM), AI-driven healthcare, and entrepreneurship mentoring. Over the years, I have proudly created employment for hundreds of professionals across both countries.
Yet, my heart has always belonged to India. Born and raised in the culturally rich state of Rajasthan, I grew up watching my father, Kaushal Kishore Jain, a politician by profession and a social reformer by heart. His dedication to public service shaped my values, and in his memory, I authored my first book, A Philanthropist Without Money – Kaushal Ji, in 2019.
In 2023, I made the life-changing decision to return to India to carry forward my father’s philanthropic legacy. I now lead the Kaushalm Foundation, fostering entrepreneurship, healthcare innovation, and skill development among India’s youth. Through initiatives like the Aravali Hub, HealthPods, and Rapid Rajasthan Clinic, I am committed to empowering aspiring entrepreneurs, bridging the healthcare gap, and making a lasting impact.
Beyond business and philanthropy, poetry is my soul’s expression. My latest book, ‘Aabhas’, a collection of Hindi poetry, is deeply personal and named after my son. It reflects my journey, emotions, and observations of life, blending nostalgia, resilience, and introspection.
I am a lifelong learner—whether as an entrepreneur, mentor, father, or poet. My journey continues as I explore ways to merge technology with social good, ensuring that innovation reaches those who need it the most.
The name of my blog, ‘Baithak’, is a Hindi word symbolizing a gathering of minds—a place to exchange ideas, reflect, and inspire. I invite you to be part of this conversation.
Let’s build, innovate, and transform lives together!
