August 15th, 2018 marked India's 71st Independence Day. As an Indian American, I show equal patriotism for both of my homes, but that doesn't mean I don't criticize them either. India holds a special place in my heart as my own birthplace, the place where my parents were born and raised, and the land of my extended family and ancestors. The food and flavors are always a source of comfort and memories, the culture and traditions are rich in stories and values, and its long history provides a strong base for many advancements in science, mathematics, literature, etc.

Despite that, I find myself wishing for India to be better and a true representation of its diversity, not just for me and my family, but to the rest of the world as well. Many times, I find myself getting angry and disappointed when reading about their state of affairs and when I experience it myself during summer visits. Home to the world's second largest population and the world's largest democracy, the relatively young and free country still has much to improve in various areas to be a better nation for its people and a stronger player in world affairs.

These are the problems it needs to solve most:

Despite what I have written thus far about India's much-needed improvements, it's still a beautiful country and a place I can call home. It's a part of almost everything I do and every aspect of my life. Ranging from food to cultural practices to family traditions, it all stems from a place of magnificent creation. I can only wish that in the coming future, that India as a whole can live up to its full potential in order to really showcase all that it has to offer.