In the early 2000s, our generation, like many others, was deeply inspired by the dream of working for multinational companies, going abroad, and making a comfortable living. Coming from small towns and villages in India, many of us had bigger aspirations—not just for personal success but for contributing to the country’s growth. For people like me, the 2004 movie Swades was more than just a film; it became a call to action. It portrayed how a NASA scientist returned to his roots in India and dedicated himself to uplifting a rural village. This story resonated deeply with many of us who believed that our country wouldn’t progress through patriotic songs alone but through meaningful, hard work that drives real change.

This movie is filled with powerful moments that reflect the reality of those times. From a child selling tea to the pivotal scene where the actor’s mother (Shahrukh Khan) sends him to a village to collect pending money, Sailing on an overcrowded boat or be it the challenges of connecting to internet at an STD booth. One of the most impactful moments from Swades that continues to inspire me is the iconic scene where Shah Rukh Khan is shown riding a bike with two villagers, navigating through rough, unpaved roads. This visual so perfectly captures the need for improved infrastructure and development across rural India. I tried to recreate this scene in 2009 during a soul-searching bike journey with my cousin Monu and my Nana, a respected English teacher. It was a powerful moment for us, bringing together the inspiration from cinema and the reality of the challenges faced by rural India, pushing me to think about how we could contribute to meaningful changes.

In my younger days, I was often fascinated by the progress shown in Western countries—be it through movies or documentaries on channels like Discovery. At times, I even considered settling abroad, drawn by the promise of a better life. But through self-reflection and reconnecting with my roots, I realized that true fulfillment comes from working to improve the place you call home. For those who don’t work toward change, they ultimately have to live with the very problems they chose to ignore. That realization keeps pushing me forward, to not just aspire for personal success, but to be a part of something bigger—helping shape a better future for my Country India.

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