We may be into our 64th year of freedom and independence, but the `little man from the East' (as he calls himself in his first book) feels "we are not independent yet''. Living in a democracy with "no sense of governance'', Major-General (retd) M K Paul feels India will never be independent unless there's a change in practices like casteism and quota. He plans a new `quota-free' institute in Bangalore soon. His book, to be completed in another year – ‘The Final Thrust in India's Struggle for Freedom’ - talks about these issues.
What's your new book about?
Indian history. The book begins with `State of the nation' -- from 1900 and beyond. Development apart, the last few chapters will also be on how a few things still haven't changed. We are not independent yet. We were more united fighting the British and are now divided by our own policies.
What do you mean?
Farmers then and now are the same, so is casteism. The Sepoy Mutiny was not the First War of Independence, as many still believe. It was against discrimination among Indian soldiers. We have still not found answers to those insecurities. Even in society and education, the quota system continues to divide us. Unfortunately, even great leaders like Gandhiji were not successful in completely abolishing this practice.
Full report here Times of India
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