77 Years of the Republic: Is Our Nature Winning or Losing?
The hoisting of the Saffron, White, and Green on 26 January 2026 marks seventy-seven years of India’s existence as a Sovereign Democratic Republic. This milestone also coincides with a century-and-a-half of Vande Mataram , the national song that reveres the land as a living mother — Sujalam, Suphalam , rich with water and fruit. As India celebrates its economic ascent, technological confidence, and global standing, it is time for a quieter but essential reflection: how has the Green in our Tricolour fared over these seven decades? The green band of the flag stands for growth, fertility, and life itself. Since the Constitution came into force in 1950, this green inheritance has travelled a turbulent path — shaped by development needs, political priorities, social movements, and now, the defining challenge of climate change. India’s environmental story is neither a tale of complete loss nor one of effortless success. It is a story of learning, correction, and responsibility...