I'M AN INDIAN I try to raise my eyes As my head hangs in shame Now my religion serves as my identity No longer do I need a name I walk in fear, scared and lonely Every step makes a noise on these deserted roads I fear that someone will identify me Putting me at the mercy of fanatic cutthroats Every eye blazing with anger Hatred in their heart, In every hand a naked sword Death, Hunger, poverty and squalor Misery at each corner, sorrow at every door I wake up shivering and frightened, Wipe the sweat of my brow Is the India of tomorrow? Is this where future Indians will grow? Will I ever get to see an India Where religion will not be part of every form Every word will not create a controversy Where every utterance will not cause a religious storm Where my caste doesn’t separate me Where my faith doesn’t isolate me Where fanatic rules cease to exist Where I am allowed to be what I want to be Where each hungry mouth Will have a hand feeding him Where prayer and worship Will lead me out of avarice and sin Where education will lead us Like a beacon in rough weather Where each man will treat me as an equal Where every one will love another I dream of a beautiful India Unparalleled on this earth Where proud would be the person Who would be an Indian by birth Where every technology would be Indian Where the rupee would make the world go round Where every mother would feel secure As her baby would sleep safe and sound It is our very own hands Which can make possible this dream For every little drop of water adds up To create a gushing stream And this stream will swell one day to become a great ocean Of people who will shout out with their voices as one I was born in the country of India And I am proud to be an INDIAN -Pranay Rao
