Freedom is not Free

(An speech on 15th of August..well Almost an speech...)

Hi... Remember our college days. I can not remember any of the independence day celebration from my childhood to SVITS days, when I did not celebrate it or not make an speech on the occasion. I used to be most worried whenever I changed a school or college to get just first chance to make an speech on 15th of August and then rest of the years get an assured slot for me.

I remember in SVITS our first year batch started a Little late and we missed the 15th of August so I finally had my debut on 5th September -teacher's day. And I still remember to get a slot for my 3 mins speech on Teacher's day celebration I had to struggle a lot.

There were some of our seniors who were organizing the event and were assuming themselves as "god"..Well almost "god" and I remember I had to give audition 4-5 times and they have not only listen to me but gave me the vaguest suggestion in the world to correct my speech. I still remember their faces and names but will not mention it here as I am sure after our college no body remembers them. I am not cribbing them and neither behaving like a 'self-obsessed arrogant brat'. But I just want to mention to my readers that the world is full of idiots who can criticize any one till the time you have proven yourself, and you should take all the pain till the time you get acclaimed..

So I gave all the auditions, they asked me to repeat this para,,, that para... they asked me to give my speech in writing also (which I have never done in my life). And the funniest thing was-My speech had some very emotional moments (as always) they used to call their friends and used to ask me to repeat just that part.. All these things in the so called 'Audition'.

Finally I got an approval to present my speech on 5th September. And I was confirmed a slot after a particular song. But i had a small gut feel that something wrong is about to happen and it happened. The anchors missed my name and announced the next program instead of me. ( I believe it was all intentional, as those anchors could not say even a single world on the mic. without a written page and the page they had in their hand, had my name, I have checked that..)

I immediately jumped and reached to the anchor all in the middle of the running program and stood there asking the obvious. one of them said with a sorry face.."Oh sorry missed your name" expecting me to return and accept the defeat.. (Must be making the worst assumption in her life) I said calmly, no issues I am going to make my speech just next to this performer and Gave the rock solid confident look, She understood that this guy is not going back and Yes I didn't gave them a 2nd chance to repeat their mistake, I went ahead after the performer and took the mic. to begin my speech and I did. The rest is a history (...In SVITS only)

That was my first speech in SVITS and the last time I had struggled to get an space on the stage. It was the best show that day and those anchors announced my name after my speech, But no one was listening as they were claping for almost 45 seconds.

Anyways.. I mentioned the above story not as a memoire but i want to relate it to the title of the post.- "Freedom is Not Free"

Well This title is borrowed from a book by Shiv Khera, where he defines freedom and its cost. A really good book.

But I just want to say that in our life the best thing one can achieve is "The Freedom". Freedom from Poverty" or "Freedom from Deceases" or Freedom from Emotional atyachaar" or Just Freedom from any Exigency". Freedom is the superlative comfort of any desirable pleasure.

You will be given total freedom on a stage only if your are The best performer.

You will be given total freedom at work only if you are the best employee.

You will be given total freedom at the pitch only if you are "Tendulkar"..

I hoe the point is understood.

I remember I was never questioned in SVITS post 5th September 1999 for anything I wanted to do . (..on the stage, of course..) I had my set of struggles in all the initiatives I took, but Yes the entry barrier was demolished once for ever.

I admit, I was not "The Best material on the stage" but I believe many better artists were got ruined in the so called "auditions". During my days as a mentor (in my final year) I tried to give chance to many of the deserving candidates and I admit, I did injustice with many (with mostly my closed ones..) But there were no one to supersede me and bring the justice, I realise that I have overshadowed a lot of people and I am not happy about it. It would be really great to get overrun by a better one, I believe Gawaskar would not have any complains from Tendulkar.

Every Fair player would love to get outdone by a better contender. I agree that there were many talented people in SVITS, much much more talented than me but they were not the game to face the entry barriers. The message I would like to give to them all and to all my readers is:-

The biggest luxury you want in life is to get freedom in a chosen field, and you would not get it only because you are blessed with great talent, You have to fight for your freedom, you have to take the pain of waiting in queue and facing the most idiot screenings. But once you clear it all You will get you Freedom.

I also believe if I had given this post without my own example it would be more acceptable, but I know my readers have a faith in me and would not misunderstand me.

SO one this eve of "The freedom Festival" all I want to say is go full hog to overcome the teething troubles so that you all can claim your biggest success in terms of "The freedom to live in your own way..."

Happy Independence Day...

Luv

VT