Mind Not Free Poem by Gopaldas Neeraj

Though our body has become independent
still, our mind is not,
we have -
Broken the chain of British Rule
changed History, changed the times
Man has become free
yet,
Books of Religion,
Still confine God,
We have -
By our strength and sweat,
spring-ed the autumn.
Nightingale has become free -
still seasons bind the spring.
Our ideal -
A city on the starry -sky.
Still our pooja,
is limited to temples and shrines.
Every one says- We're one, ours is one country.
still hatred is
The current slogan.
Our salvation -
Ides under one flag.
Our is -
One, aim, one goal.
Then why ?
Some are ahead, some behind
some about the start
some at their journey's end :
We have -
Restored the Throne - of Delhi
Tri-color now flutters at the Fort ( Red).
At jet-speed
We're moving forward.
Iron-bars of Religion
still cage us.

(Translated by R.P. CHADDAH)