Every year, as the 15th of August dawns, the saffron, white, and green unfurl against the sky, anthems resonate with a powerful, collective memory, and a profound sense of pride swells for the hard-won freedom of our nation. We honour the colossal sacrifices, the unwavering courage, and the singular vision that finally broke the chains of colonial rule. We celebrate a powerful, undeniable narrative of independence achieved.

But amidst this grand, collective celebration, an often unsettling question arises: Are we – as individuals of modern India – truly independent?

Our nation gained its political freedom through immense struggle. Yet, many of us still find ourselves bound by forms of unfreedom in our daily realities. What does independence truly mean when forces influence our desires, our well-being, and even our most intimate relationships, we might not even consciously recognise, let alone choose?

While the British Raj may be a chapter in history, our battles have shifted from colonial matters to more insidious, internalised forms of control which aren't always visible, but their weight can feel immense:

From the moment we enter this world, invisible lines are drawn, defining what a "good" woman should be, what a "strong" man must embody. For many, this means specific, drawn-out career paths (or away from them), a timeline for marriage and children, or the pressure to prioritise family expectations over personal aspirations. This pressure often seeps into our core, shaping our own beliefs about what's possible, what's desirable, and what constitutes a "worthy" life. How often do we think about whether our desires are genuinely ours, or if it’s a scripted life that’s been handed over?

Then, there are the relationships we build. 

Relationships, at their healthiest, are meant to be spaces of growth and mutual liberation. Yet, they can also become prisons. It doesn’t always have to be marked by conflict, but so many of the relationships we see around us are built on manipulation, gaslighting, financial control or the constant need for validation that slowly erodes your sense of self. The fear of loneliness, the societal stigma attached to stepping away, or deeply ingrained beliefs about needing another to feel complete can keep individuals tethered to dynamics that hurt. Like really really hurt. 

What freedom exists when your voice shrinks, your choices disappear, and your world feels dictated by someone else’s narrative? 

In a society that often heroes stoicism and 'being strong,' acknowledging mental health struggles can almost feel like a betrayal of strength. The shame attached to anxiety, depression, burnout, or any form of emotional distress, or emotions in general, forces many into battles they don’t even know they're fighting. This stigma becomes so internalised that it can make us deny our own pain, resist seeking help, and ultimately, stifle our very capacity for emotional and psychological freedom. 

Are we truly independent if we're not free to feel, to heal, and to seek help without the crushing weight of societal judgment?

Beyond specific gender roles, the collective opinion of our community, our extended family, and even our digital circles can be an overwhelming force. Decisions around careers, partners, lifestyle choices, and even expressing ourselves are constantly filtered through the lens of external approval. This fear of judgment often leads us to pursue paths that look good on paper, but leave us actually yearning for something else. 

Is it freedom when our desires are consistently overshadowed by the perceived gaze of others?

And then there’s our interconnected digital lives, meant to bring us closer, but paradoxically deepens our sense of unfreedom. The endless scroll of curated, idealized lives on social media creates a relentless pressure to perform, to measure up, to achieve a perceived perfection. This fuels a constant cycle of comparison and anxiety. We become performers in our own lives, chasing likes and validation, losing the autonomy of simply being.

Perhaps the most formidable unfreedoms are the ones we forge within ourselves. Deep-seated self-doubt, negative narratives inherited from childhood, unresolved traumas, or unexamined biases can create internal barriers that no external force could ever replicate. These unseen barriers can feel more real and more limiting than any societal pressure, leading to self-sabotage and preventing us from even imagining our truest potential.

True independence, on a personal level, is rarely a destination achieved with a single act of defiance or on a specific calendar date. It is an ongoing, often uncomfortable, and deeply personal journey. It’s a continuous process of questioning, honest confrontations, and courageous, conscious choices, made day after day, year after year.

Just as India's hard-won freedom requires constant vigilance, active participation, and the courage to adapt and evolve, our personal liberation demands a continuous commitment to self-awareness and quiet bravery. There are no easy answers, and the path is not linear.

So, as the flags wave high and the echoes of our national anthem fill the air this Independence Day, perhaps the most implicate and personal act of patriotism we can engage in is to honestly ask ourselves: Are we truly independent? 

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