Pledges from Red Fort, pledges by every Indian

India celebrated its 75th Independence day with great fanfare, flag flying, feasts, and festivals at home and abroad. Undertakings needing clarity The Prime Minister in his celebrated speech from Red Fort outlined five pledges to focus on: Making India a developed nation by 2047; removing all traces of colonisation; taking pride in our roots and heritage; unity and integrity; and sense of duty among citizens. A charged environment Unfortunately, in the present toxic and tense environment, with its polarised politics, top-down governance, command and controlled organisations, lack of open and honest conversation, a managed and manipulated media, high on Hindutva, a marginalisation of Muslims and minorities, a renaming of cities, a rewriting of history and a lot more, it is difficult to implement the Prime Minister’s pledges. I will work hard to protect the Indian Constitution to safeguard the nation’s democracy, freedom, diversity, inclusion, equality, justice, etc., through independent and autonomous institutions, an engaged and active civil society, a rational mindset, and an available legal system. Think of public service I will devote a few hours a week to public service at no cost in my local community to ensure cleanliness, provide basic needs, feed the hungry, educate and take care of children and the elderly, provide health services, develop skills, play sports, entertain, plant trees, provide mentorship, provide legal services, oral hygiene, transport, fix equipment, run the local library, read stories, etc.