Its 9, Aug. 15 -- 00 am on Independence Day 2025. The streets are a swirl of saffron, white, and green, flags flutter from car bonnets, school kids march in crisp uniforms, and shopkeepers stack fresh laddus for the day's celebrations.

You're not celebrating. You're in the backseat of an Uber you don't own, glancing at a fresh EMI reminder on your phone. On your wrist is a watch you're still paying off in "no-cost" instalments. You're on your way to a job you can't quit, not because you love it, but because your home loan is yet not clear.

We like to think we are free. We can vote. We can tweet. We can get a pizza in 30 minutes. But real freedom isn't just political; it's being able to walk away from a toxic boss, take a year off to stu...