…and so here we are, India’s 66th Independence Day.
No different than previous year and the year before and then the year before. More of the same: Out of control inflation, Increasing IPL popularity, Record breaking corruption scandals, Blockbuster Masala Bollywood movies, below par economic growth, emerging of one more ‘public leader’, ever increasing social issues. But no matter what, Indians will always find a way to smile and survive another day.
We Indians are like water, no matter how much the external environment changes, we always find a way to compromise. We strive to live our lives adjusting to the boundaries that we are confined to- Political boundaries, social boundaries, economic boundaries, cultural boundaries.
Not all is as bad as it sounds or looks. After all I am an Indian (and an American!!) and I always find the glass half full.
We have the highly educated and the best human being as our Prime minister,
But he is handicap by the corrupt political system.
Our IT industry is growing at a double digit growth rate, with over $100B in revenues,
But the economic bureaucracy and babuism is limiting there even higher growth potential.
Gujarat has become a symbol of political pluralism and economic capitalism,
But political party lines and muddled national political scene makes it harder for a few remaining political reformers to follow its example.
Indian cricket has become a global phenomenon thanks to IPL, (and BCCI!!)
But since cricket is hogging all the spot light and eyeballs, other sports are paying the price. No wonder our participation in Olympics is limited to 2-3 medals.
India’s film industry has spread India’s cultural reach to all the corners of the world,
But…can’t think of any ‘but’. Adore Indian movies…Bole to Ekdam Jhakaas!!
India is the largest democracy in the world,
But is it a ‘working’ democracy?
India’s most famous son, Mahatma Gandhi gave the world the gift of Nonviolence,
But over 30% of today’s ‘elected’ leaders have criminal cases registered against them.
India grew at a compounded rate of 6% since economic liberalization of 1991, to become the 10th largest economy in the world,
But our per capita income is less than $1,500 and the poverty rate is still around 25%.
India telecom sector is the third largest in the world with over 900 million mobile users,
But are we connected with our fellow Indians from North-East?
(I bet most of us won’t be able to name the NE statesL)
We are building the world’s tallest residential building,
But also house the largest slums.
I guess this is the beauty of India, Comingling of Contrasts.
This is how our DNA’s are designed. We laugh at any opportunity we get for they are few and far in-between. We earn, we save and spend from what little remains. We take pride in every little thing for we have worked hard for it. Government for us is not a means of convenience, but a mode of disturbance. We accept that we do live in a caste system, but that is what makes our culture more vibrant and colorful.
Somehow we came this far and I am sure we will eventually see a better ‘tomorrow’. Or should I say a day will come when we all will talk about ‘today’ and for once not think about ‘tomorrow’.
Till then, for the better tomorrow…
Happy Birthday, India!!
Viki, very nicely presented. The absolute spirit of surviving the odds and keep flowing. Happy Birthday Bharat!
ReplyDeleteHello Kalpanaben,
DeleteThank you for taking time out and reading my thoughts.
I really appreciate your comments.
Regards,
Hi Viki,
ReplyDeleteExcellent post, you have summarised India and Hinduism very well. India and Hinduism are the longest civilisation on this earth and it has worked, regardless of all the problems you mentioned. I have visited India several times and every time I am greeted and in the true Indian spirit regardless of the economic transformation! There is no country like India and no religion or way of life like Hinduism! Jai Hind!
India forever!
Will you talk about the world largest spill ie BP Oil spill and please write and it is the worst environmental pollution so far and India should take up this matter if anyone talks about India's Pollution.
ReplyDeleteUS Poverty rate is 15.1% in 2010 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poverty_in_the_United_States)
ReplyDeleteIndia Poverty rate is 29.8% in 2010
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-17441347)
The world richest and super power country like US is unable to reduce poverty to 0% or atleast below 5%.
So India is in better position and in another 10 years it will reduce to 10%. We have large number of middle class family than US.
Most of the people in US are living in social assistance program. In fact those people are living on others tax payer money.
Imagine a situation where the US govt wants to cut the social assistance program or health care system.What will happen?
Viki, good article. I also saw your comment on BBC and posted the response given below. Yes, its absolutely pathetic, but, I wish Indians stopped being so negative. Its incredible how far Indians have come in my own lifetime, and I have seen many parts of the world. This should be pointed out too. And, look at the strong response from the police, they've caught a few people already, and I hope they put those rumor mongers into jail for life. Democracy is messy, but India is trying, and keeps trying hard. The elephant does not quit easily, and that is India's biggest strength.
ReplyDeleteRS
Reponse on BBC:
Viki, 66 years is the blink of an eye. There were lynchings and mass killings in the United States less than 100 years ago, which was 150 years after American independence. Look up Herrin or Ludlow. And India is far, far more diverse if you look at the differences between e.g. Chennai and Manipur. Considering that, it is incredible how well its been working in "only" 66 years. Think positive.
Vikas, finally an Indian who has seen the light. Look at the responses and you will understand why India may take a long time to achieve success. Many Indians dream of coming to the USA and when they are in the US they will go on about great India is etc. Indian fishermen are assaulted by Sri Lankan navy on a regular basis but government does not have the spine to retaliate. Do you think any US citizen can be attacked by a nation foreign ? Patriotism is good but Indians have a sense twisted patriotism- these cricketers how much have they done for charity? Ethnic riots in India over jobs etc, just imagine how the white population feels about trainee Indians stealing the white collar jobs (IT) in their marketplace. For so much IT work in India we are still waiting for breath taking software to come from that country. India is the largest democracy but not a working democracy.
ReplyDeleteGreat article my friend. I read your old articles as well .It is absolutely true in all aspects.Being an Indian netizen we all feel the same.
ReplyDeleteWe do want to point out many different things which we would like to change in our society.
It is hard to achieve. But we can always be hopeful about our future and keep inspiring people and getting inspired as well.
Keep writing your thoughts.
Every country has its problems including 'the leader of the free world'. However, no developing (or developed for that matter)country is going to get to grips with it's problems and challenges by simply pointing out this fact.
ReplyDeleteIn India, I think we need to recognize that many of our problems are patently Indian instead of blaming everything on our colonial past and a supposed worldwide conspiracy against us.
There's no use either consoling ourselves with the fact that there are other countries with worse internal divisions, corruption and poverty than ours. We don't need to be consoled. We just need to get to grips with and tackle the problems.