Republic Day Prayer- My Country - My Mother - India Poem by Bernedita Rosinha Pinto

I will create a difference
I will stir my nation into awakening
I will tell you of my country's woes
I will speak louder and clearer
than those national day parades
that display our country's splendour
which make people gather
to watch the majestic grandeur,
while around the corners of our country
many silently endure weakness
in their hopes and of their expectations
as rich keep getting richer
the poor keep getting poorer;
if only was a thought of concern
invested in my country's rural sections
where people live in shanty houses
which are almost fit for cattle,
poverty and dis-satisfaction
would have been eradicated:
come, see how ancient life-style still prevails
in these modern times as our people in villages
thrive on bore-wells and running streams and canals
to wash their clothes and bathe their children;
come, see how the senior citizens sit in penury
in their under-developed villages
awaiting their ending days with gloom.
Come, see in those crowded hospitals
how the relatives of the sick
struggle to pay the hefty medical bills,
while the cancer patients
have no money to afford
their treatment and medical care.
Come, see how the kidney-failure patient
survives his ordeal as he undergoes
the constant dialysis he needs
which are so expensive and tiring.
Come, see how the lack of finances
and transport facilities make our village children
walk to school and cluster in little class rooms
without electricity or fans till mid-day.
Come, see how over-priced are those new cars
and apartments which layman cannot purchase
unless a bank loan he dares proving his income;
and if in an accident, his death occurs,
a few lakhs rupees is all that is awarded
as compensation to his family
though he was the only breadwinner.
Tougher gets the days of those who struggle
and as they struggle, tougher gets their going,
so, rise up my country, rise up
the past may have not been so promising
but today belongs to you,
so, seek help to promote our wellness and welfare
seek help to provide us with vehicles and houses
which should cost not many lakhs of rupees;
seek help to build us homes that are affordable
to enable us to pay prices that are reasonable
so that we breathe with ease
and sleep the nights in peace,
so that we do not toss and turn all night
over those loan figures which are so punishing.
Let not our countrymen exist
with anxiety and restlessness,
our country's might is in our rights.
Liberty, Equality and Fraternity
is the promise of our Constitution
equal opportunity, social justice
is it's duty, it's responsibility.
Live for me as I live for you
you are my country and I am thy child
you are my mother-earth
let your heart bleed for me
with care and concern I deserve.
O my country, my mother,
wipe away my tears
strengthen my existence
with blessings consistent.