Self-image of the nation visualised in the backdrop of happenings across its territory, reported by media and that expressed by external agencies, both subjectively and objectively, during the 365 days of 2019 may be said to conform to the optimum spectrum in the sky, familiar to all as the rainbow, comprising violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. The colours of the image seem to be in the range between highly pleasing and extremely harsh, depending on the perception of the beholder, as the expression Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder goes. The land's headcount has increased by about 15 million resulting in increased stress for the Government of the day in discharging the responsibility of providing good governance, which essentially means that no citizen is denied the right to live in reasonable comfort as well as the provisions stated in the Constitution, including the 120 or so amendments. While the claims to the year's achievements blared by various Departments of the Government at the Centre have not gone down well in many circles in the open, the manner of expressing their discord is the crux of the nation's image.
Sentiment ruling the love for their land and emotion generated by the various occasions such as Independence Day continue to spur public speakers of all hues to include in their speeches popular lines Unity in Diversity and the World is one family dismissed by many as mere platitudes.
