RGNUL Writes to a Century of Freedom

This piece is a collective reflection by the students of RGNUL, Patiala, addressed to India of 2047 on the centenary of Independence. It captures the aspirations, responsibilities and dreams of a generation that stands at the crossroads of history, carrying forward the legacy of freedom while envisioning a more just, equal and inclusive nation.

Dear India of 2047,

We, the students of 2025, write to you from the revered grounds of RGNUL, Patiala. As we stood under the fluttering tricolour on this 79th Independence Day, our hearts were full of memories of the past and hopes for the future. On August 15, 2025, the sun rose over our campus and brought with it the smell of sacrifice, the sound of freedom and the promise of a future that was still unfolding. During those holy hours, we felt as if the soul of India was speaking to us, telling us to remember, make a decision and answer the call.

As the saffron, white and green unfurled against the sky, it was not just a flag we saluted. We also honoured centuries of struggle, bravery and an unbroken spirit. Each wave of its fabric seemed to echo the cries of freedom fighters who dared to dream of a free motherland, the prayers of mothers who sent their sons to the gallows and the strong steps of countless nameless heroes who gave everything and asked for nothing in return. As we sang the national anthem, time seemed to stop, connecting us across generations: from those who fought for independence in 1947 to us who keep its flame alive in 2025 to you who will celebrate its 100th birthday in 2047. We were all together in a moment that went beyond the campus, taking us to the deserts of Rajasthan, the valleys of Kashmir, the villages of Bengal and the busy streets of every city where 140 crore hearts beat with the same pride.

Professor (Dr.) Jai Shankar Singh, our Vice-Chancellor, stood in front of us not just as an academic leader, but also as a person who was responsible. His words broke through the morning air and reminded us that freedom is not something we can take for granted, but something we must honour. He told us that the blood of martyrs lit the flame of freedom and it is now up to us to keep it burning with our honesty, hard work and bravery. He urged us to accept both personal excellence and collective responsibility. His idea of RGNUL as a “temple of knowledge” where “Knowledge empowers” became, for us, the same as the idea of Viksit Bharat 2047. His belief that students, faculty and staff are all equal partners in this mission made us believe that our university’s quest for justice and fairness is a microcosm of the country’s journey.

This local call fits with the national vision that our Prime Minister has for India@2047. He sees it not just as a goal, but as a destiny. He imagines a Bharat that is self-sufficient but also respected around the world, one that is dignified, welcoming and strong. His words remind us that our journey is not about competing with others but about keeping the promise of our civilisation: “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas.” We don’t see these as slogans. We see them as guiding stars. They remind us that a nation’s greatness is not determined by the height of its towers, but by the respect shown to its most vulnerable citizens.

India’s march is unstoppable, from semiconductor labs to space missions, from native operating systems to AI-driven government. But we know that the real test of digital sovereignty isn’t just machines. It’s the rules that govern them. We think of ourselves as protectors of this moral compass because we study law. We are ready to write, defend and improve the rules that will keep technology from becoming its master and instead serve humanity. We want an India where every new idea is based on ethics and where progress helps everyone, not just a few.

But our promise isn’t just about technology. We are dedicated to the social revolution that is happening all over the country. Every farmer who works hard in the sun, every woman who builds a new life through empowerment programs and every child whose eyes shine with the hope that education brings us inspiration. We want a Bharat where everyone has a voice and no one is hidden. Women becoming leaders, people rising above poverty to create a strong new middle class and children getting a good education no matter where they come from or what their background is. These are not far-off goals, but real things we promise to support.

We follow the mantra “Reform, Perform and Transform.” The abolition of outdated laws, the introduction of people-centered codes such as the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the digital connections that link citizens to justice, these are not just policies. They are the lifeblood of a functioning democracy. As future lawyers and protectors of the Constitution, we accept the sacred duty of making sure that justice in India is not delayed, denied or denied, but delivered quickly, fairly and to everyone.

We also see green in our dreams for you, India of 2047. We can’ talk about development without also talking about the environment that keeps us alive. We should not use the forests, rivers, mountains and air we breathe as resources. Instead, we should protect them as gifts.What good are skyscrapers if the rivers dry up? What good are satellites if the skies are poisoned? A developed country must also be a responsible one.

As dusk fell on Independence Day 2025, the tricolour still danced proudly in the evening breeze. The marigold garlands, patriotic songs and echoes of speeches all faded away, but we still felt deeply that we were responsible for something sacred. We not only need to dream about 2047, but we also need to make it happen with our choices, discipline and sacrifice.

We promise to you, India of 2047. We promise to always believe in justice, to be curious about learning, to be responsible when we come up with new ideas, to be kind when we help others and to stand together as children of one motherland. We promise that your centenary dawn will not be dimmed by inequality, despair or division. Instead, it will shine with the light of progress, dignity and inclusion.

When your tricolour flag flies on that centenary morning, may it not only talk about skyscrapers and satellites, but also about hearts lifted, villages changed, justice done and dignity restored. May it narrate the story of a generation that refused to be complacent, that chose sacrifice over comfort, service over self and duty over apathy. May it show that we honoured the last and got ready for the next.

We, the students of RGNUL in 2025, give you not only our words but also our lives, our work and our love. You are not a far-off dream. You are the living future we are already creating, breath by breath and choice by choice.

With undying hope and solemn pledge,

The Students of RGNUL, 2025

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By- Aryan Gupta [III Year]