As we proudly celebrate our 78th Independence Day, draping ourselves in the tricolour and chanting slogans of freedom, it's time to reflect on the true meaning of independence. Are we truly free?

"Come back before 6 pm." These are the words that echoed in my ears as I stepped out, with patriotism in my heart. But even on this day, my independence is conditional, tethered to the clock and the shadows of the evening. We live in a world where a woman's freedom is curtailed by fear-fear of violence, fear of harassment, fear of losing the very right to live without looking over her shoulder.

Are we really free? When women are still being raped and murdered, when a mother's cautionary words are a daily reality for daughters across the natio ow can we claim to be free? For some, it may be easy to feel desensitised or brush aside the horrors we read in the news-until it happens to someone close. But for women, it's a constant calculation. We are always running a parallel scenario in our minds, calculating the probability of becoming the next victim.

We're always on alert. Always prepared to defend an attack. Always in fight or flight mode, sometimes even within our own homes. We wake up to another tragic headline, another life lost to violence, and we think, "It could have been me."

But nothing changes. We continue to smile through our fear, hold our keys like weapons, double-check locks, scan public places for hidden dangers, and share our live location with friends— hoping that today won't be the day.

So, on this Independence Day, I ask: Are we really free?

True freedom means living without fear. It means that no one should have to calculate their safety every time they step outside.

As we celebrate our nation's independence, let's not forget the ongoing struggle for safety, equality, and true freedom for every woman. Let this day be a reminder that our fight for independence isn't over-not until every woman can walk freely, without fear, in this country we call our own.

Jai Hind!🇮🇳