New Brand India- The Next 80 years

The Light of a Single Candle: Industry veteran A P Parigi writes what freedom means to India’s youth

by A P Parigi
Published: Aug 15, 2026 12:11 PM | 3 min read

India celebrates its 80th Independence Day, reflecting on the struggles and aspirations of its people over the decades, particularly the youth.
A survey of individuals under 29 revealed diverse interpretations of freedom, including self-expression, making choices, and the ability to engage with public authorities without fear.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of celebrating diversity as a strength that has sustained India for 80 years and will continue to do so in the future.
A call to action for the youth encourages them to embrace their aspirations, experiment, and engage in dialogue, reinforcing the idea that their collective efforts contribute to the spirit of New India.

Today India turns 80. I have seen eight decades. I have seen struggle, and I have seen aspiration. Every generation had its own.

I am not here to speak of politics. I am here to speak of people. Of the youth.

I asked those{a random survey} under 29 a simple question: "What does freedom mean to you ?" I got some answers from surveys, some from published media reports, from prime time TV panel discussions- I watched, and from conversations on the street. The responses were a wide spectrum. Indeed, very wide. And that is what made me proud.

One young person said, "freedom is being true to yourself."

Another said, "freedom means to experiment."

A third spoke of "the freedom to make choices."

Someone else said it is making choices: like " work life balance” ; being able to live those choices without any apprehension;

I also heard practical hopes: freedom is when I travel in a metro , and reach out to public authorities, they should inspire confidence -

I heard courage: "You shouldn't have to be afraid to speak up”

I heard a plea for listening: "It’s about whether a common person's voice has a chance to actually reach someone." Equal access to support from institutions.

And I heard a reminder: "Freedom is a space : any should be able to politely and in a dignified manner questions Leaders”

Different words. Different lives. But one thread runs through all of them — the desire to live with dignity, with confidence, and with hope.

This is Brand India to me. Not a slogan. A spirit.

New India -----is a 22-year-old starting something new in Pune.

It is a student in Guwahati asking questions.

It is a delivery partner in Delhi, a designer in Chennai, a teacher in a village classroom.

Different languages, different foods, different dreams.

And here is what I have learned in 77 years: “we do not only have to tolerate our differences. We have to celebrate our differences” Diversity is our strength. That is the strength that has carried us for 80 years. That is what will carry us for the next 80.

I am a relentless optimist. I have seen dark days. But I have also aware “there is never enough darkness to put out the light of a single candle”

Every time a young person chooses to be true, to try, to speak, to build — that is a candle being lit. Multiply that by millions, and you have a country that glows.

So on this 80th Independence Day, I say this as someone who has watched India grow: I am proud to be an Indian.

I am a huge believer in the youth of India. Your aspirations are different from what mine were. Your struggles are different. But your light is the same.

Keep experimenting. Keep choosing. Keep speaking. Keep building.

And let us all — every generation — celebrate what makes the other different.

That is freedom. That is New India. That is Brand India.

Jai Hind.