August 15 is a day particularly meant for patriotic speeches, voicing the multitudes of love that we have for our country, and for stating how proud we are to be Indians. But I would like to introduce a slightly different tune in this otherwise harmonious chorus.

I love my India because here, I find a sense of belonging; it is my home and my refuge, and I will do everything in my power to oppose anyone who wants to break it or harm it in any other way.

I feel elated when I see my tricolour flying high, and stand up straighter when my national anthem is being played. My chest swells with pride when my country’s athletes win medals in various international competitions, and I feel seven feet tall when I see international leaders giving high respect to my leader.

But even though I love my India, simply loving one’s land isn’t enough—I want to feel prouder of my country too.

I’d like to explain something before going on further: It’s not that I am not proud of the achievements of my homeland. India has achieved multitudes during my lifetime, and I feel a sense of pride in these achievements. But there is much more that needs to be done.

What will make me prouder of being an Indian? Here are some things that would help:

In my ideal India, there would be no ‘VIPs’ with blaring sirens and huge retinues, jumping queues and leaving the common man behind. This VIP culture—or simply the lack of it, depending on which side the coin you’re on—is an insult to my country, which We The People decided early on should be a democracy and not a monarchy. Can I, as a common man, be proud of this?

In my ideal India, politicians would keep their promises made during election-time and later, and be ready to be sued if they don’t deliver. If my leaders cannot keep their word, his/her speeches are simply hollow, and their mentality, dishonest. Can I, as a common citizen of India, be proud of this?

In my ideal India, leaders would have honesty at their core. We would not see them living in mansions and acquiring huge sums of wealth without any discernible source of income to match their assets. I do not see this happening at the moment; leaders of most political parties are swimming in wealth, and barely a handful are sent to jail. Can I, as a common Indian, be proud of this?

In my ideal India, the authorities too, would have honesty at their core. There would be no bribery at road check-points, at police stations, and at other places where common Indians interact with authorities. Despite some improvement, this is still far from the norm. Can I, as a common man, be proud of this never-ending trend?

In my ideal India, the bureaucracy would be less smug—and more sensitive—to the needs of the common man. This is essential at each and every level, from the junior-most clerk to the senior-most IAS officer. At this time, the treatment usually meted out to the poorest of the poor in government offices leaves much to be desired. Can I, as a common Indian, be proud of this?

In my ideal India, the police stations would be considered havens by the victims—especially the poor ones—and not places to be feared and avoided. Everyone would get a considerate welcome, a patient hearing and positive action. At present, it is just the reverse. Can I, as a common Indian, be proud of this?

In my ideal India, the public infrastructure would match the best in the world. The roads would be smooth, the water supply, reliable, and the electricity would surge through 24×7 at the desired voltage, without any gaps. After more than six decades of gaining independence, these shortcomings are pathetic by international standards. Can I, as a common Indian, be proud of this?

In my ideal India there would be accountability, all the way to the top. If there is a roadside trench left uncovered by the authorities and a child dies by falling into it, everyone up to the State’s Chief Secretary should be held responsible. If there is a train accident because of infrastructural defects or due to lack of training, the Railway Minister, the Railway Board, and all their underlings must be answerable. If a road gets flooded because the drains have not been cleaned out, the senior most city bureaucrat should be held responsible. If someone is electrocuted because of a carelessly left live wire in a public area, the head of the power distribution company should be made to pay the price. If someone has an accident because of a large pothole on a road, the Municipal Commissioner should be taken to task. At present, what we see is one agency passing the buck to another one, and there is no accountability at all. Can I, as a common Indian, be proud of this?

In my ideal India we would have such an excellent public transport system that it would render private cars, useless. There would be plenty of clean buses running on time, functioning in a systematic and orderly manner. There would be metros in every town, with ample capacity to take care of the traffic volume. Fewer people—including VIPs—would use cars. Sadly, at this time, the roads are jammed and public transport is uncomfortable, unreliable, and often unclean. Can I, as a common Indian, be proud of this?

In my ideal India, we Indians too, would be model citizens. We would not litter; we would recycle our waste, we would be considerate enough while parking our vehicles, we would drive responsibly, and, in general, model our behavior on that of the citizens of well-behaved countries such as Japan. We would be good neighbours. At this time, we are so far from this ideal that the prospect appears very dim indeed. Can I, as a common Indian, be proud of this?

In my ideal India, women and girls would be respected. They would be safe and feel that all the public areas in their land are their own secure places where they would get full respect. There would be no rapes and female feticides, no child marriages, and no dowry deaths. Does this happen in my land today? No. Can I, as a common Indian, be proud of this?

In my ideal India, the so-called VIPs would go to government hospitals and clinics instead of flying off abroad to receive treatment. While there, they would stand in line with other patients, and not be greeted with a garland by the chief of the hospital while the others stand and wait. And, the government medical facilities would be so good that they do this without feeling any resentment. Comparing the medical treatment of our leaders with that received by those who put them on their thrones, is shameful. Can I, as a common Indian, be proud of this?

In my ideal India, education in government schools would match what the best—or even the better—private schools offer. While visiting most government schools, one feels a sense of deep dismay at the lax attitude of the teachers, at the schooling facilities, as well as at the level of education being imparted. Can I, as a common Indian, be proud of this?

In my ideal India, there would be a much faster and less expensive justice delivered by the courts. Also, justice for VIPs and the common man would be delivered with equal speed. When I read that a case has been pending for 20 years or more, or that the system of appeals is such that someone who is given the death penalty in a heinous crime would die a natural death before the final decision has been given, I feel that we make a mockery of our judicial system. Can I, as a common Indian, be proud of this?

In my ideal India, every Indian would be concerned about the environment; keeping the rivers clean, the forests green, and environment-friendly development would be everyone’s first priority. Looking at the rivers which we have turned into sewers, or at the forest areas that we have encroached upon over time, or at the ugly buildings that we erect like carbuncles on the face of my land, is unpleasant. Can I, as a common Indian, be proud of this?

In my ideal India, religion would speak softly and be practiced in private. There would be no noise pollution, no traffic jams and no ill-will because of any religious practice. Religion would leave the sphere of politics alone too. Unfortunately, the practice of religion in my land is getting noisier and more intrusive day by day. Can I, as a common Indian, be proud of this?

There are many other points too, which I, as a common Indian am not proud of. Our farmers deserve better. Our youth deserve more jobs. Our armed forces deserve better equipment and greater respect. Our senior citizens deserve better support. So many things that can be done, even with the funds available, and yet are not done. Can I, as a common Indian, be proud of this?

Yes, there is a long way for us to do before we can truly revel in being Indians.

Having said all this, I will end as I started.

I feel elated seeing my tricolor flying high. I stand straighter when my national anthem is played. I feel my chest swell up when my country’s athletes win medals in international competitions. I feel seven feet tall when I see international leaders give respect to my leader.

I love my India but loving it is not enough. I want to feel proud of my country, too.