Freedom to be - Anugya

Trapped. By yourself.

Now that’s the worst kind of helplessness there can ever be.

You are trapped by yourself, and there’s no way out. And only when you’re trapped do you realize what freedom means to you.

And now, give this freedom a context – one that is more immediate and closer than our Independence (which most of us meaninglessly celebrate because we’ve never known what it is like to not be free.)

“This is not a student driven institute anymore. This is a faculty led institute.”

“I will not give you the freedom to ruin the image of the insti in the corporate world. Our alumni have worked very hard to get us to the 4^th rank – do you think I will allow you to

change it?”

Freedom in this context is not just being able to give ‘feedback’. It is the knowledge and conviction that you are actually being heard. Anyone can go shout to the walls. Freedom is in knowing that what you have to say makes a difference.

And yes, the age old adage that freedom only comes with responsibility holds very true in every sphere.

Pointless rebellion never got anyone anywhere except in trouble, which though an enjoyable spot to be in sometimes, is certainly not an enviable place to be living in.

The point is, and I’d like to hear from all MadMaggers on this, exactly, how free are we? And no, I don’t mean to ask how jobless are we!

Anugya Punetha