Bharatha Bhagya Vidhatha

As one more independence day passes over, we rejoice and look back at the past 61 years with pride and a modicum of disappointment. Proud for all the achievements made and disappointment at the thought that much more could have been achieved. This independence day was made even more special by the Indian performance at the Olympics. After 28 years the world got to hear the Indian national anthem thanks to Abhinav Bindra. As I cherished the moment and went through the anthem in my mind a thought struck me.

We have recited the anthem since we were kids and do so even now, but how many of us really know the meaning of the anthem or at least want to know its meaning? I was particularly struck by the line "Bharatha Bhagya Vidhaatha" in the anthem and a question rose in my mind. Who is this "Bharatha Bhagya Vidhatha" - "the dispenser of destiny" referred to by the poet. In fact he appears twice in the anthem and is said by the poet to be praised all around the country.Is he God as Tagore himself said. Is it George V - the king of England at that time - as argued by some of Tagore's critics.

I guess that's the beauty of poetry, each one can interpret it to his liking and each one may be different and correct at the same time.As I went through the anthem again with the quest of finding this 'Vidhata' I could not imagine anyone as the 'Vidhata' other than - the common man.Yes, the common man. Doesn't he guide India's destiny? Hasn't he been witness to the joys and travails of India?. Yes the most uncommon of those beings, the common man.

He does not have a face but we all see him.He doesn't have a voice but still we hear him. He does not have a presence but still we feel him. No matter what the challenge thrown at him by destiny he has carried on bravely, facing all obstacles with courage.He was present when India was enslaved, he fought for her freedom and rejoiced when she achieved it. He laid the foundations of democracy and enabled India to become the largest democracy in the world. He has endured famines and natural calamities, but still he has marched on.He was present when bombs exploded, he was victimized in the riots.He endured it all silently. He liberated the economy and carried it to new frontiers. He started the IT/Telecom revolutions which gave jobs and aspirations to millions like him. India celebrated when he won the world cup. India was made proud when he won a Gold at the Olympics.Indians were elated when he bought prestigious MNCs abroad. He has achieved success in which ever part of the world he has gone and resided in, not forgetting the homeland.As the future beckons, he is once again at the fore front to guide India's destiny. He wants to regain India her lost prestige and glory. There might be hurdles but he shall overcome them as he has done in the past.

Through thick and thin, good fortune and calamity, he has marched on guiding the destiny of India and will continue to march on in the future too. Yes, its him, he is the one who can be called the 'Bharatha Bhagya Vidhatha'- 'the dispenser of destiny'.