Independence day............where are we?
Tomorrow, we mark the 45 th Independence Day of our beloved nation. Let me wish every Maldivian, a very happy Independence Day, 2010.
As we mark our 45 th Independence Day, there are two questions that comes to my mind.
1. Is 26 th July our Independence Day?
2. Are we independent?
The first question, I have already discussed why I have the question in my mind, in an article I wrote on 4 th August 2008.
The second question is are we independent?
Back in the era of colonialism, if a nation is not under a colonial power, we say the country is independent. Today, however, those days passed. We are in 21st century. If then, there is no single reason to say that the definition and the meaning of independence should be as it was before. Today, a nation could be real independent, if she can have the sustainability and ability to govern the nation, its people and its problems. Today, we say freedom of people, human rights, media etc... are also pillars of a free nation