I have a dream (Indian Context)

In Martin Luther King Jr.’s speech “I Have A Dream” he spoke of his desire for a future where blacks and whites among others would coexist harmoniously as equals. Here is an excerpt from the King’s delivery of the speech on August 28, 1963, with its Indian adaptation.

This is how I thought it would read in the Indian context.

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the Indian dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.”

I have a dream that one day on the the sons of Zamindars, Brahmins and the sons of Shudras, other backward classes, will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Kerela, a state sweltering with the heat of communalism; Bihar, a state sweltering with the heat of oppression; Rajasthan, a state sweltering with castist ghettos; the seven sister states of Northeast will feature in the mainstream; and our nation is transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that our little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the religion they follow or the god they worship, but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day, down in Mumbai, with its vicious leaders, with its politicians having lips dripping with the words of hatred and interposition; one day right there in Mumbai, all sections will be able to join hands and treat others as brothers and sisters overiding all regional conflicts.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day the Valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made free of violence, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the God shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope.

With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for terrorism together, knowing that we will be free one day.