Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high; Where knowledge is free; Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls; … Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit; … Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.53
In this quote, Amartya Sen envisions an ideal world where individuals can live without fear, highlighted by the pursuit of knowledge and the absence of societal divisions. He expresses a desire for a society unified by open-mindedness rather than fractured by narrow and limiting boundaries. This aspiration reflects a profound hope for a future where people enjoy liberation and collective progress.
Furthermore, Sen emphasizes the importance of reason and critical thinking, urging society to avoid being trapped by outdated traditions that stifle growth. His call to action is for his homeland to awaken to this vision of freedom and enlightenment. Through his words, Sen articulates a universal longing for a more just and harmonious world.
