Hope? Is it Hopeless? - Part 2

If someone criticizes our country we instantly call him an anti national. And this is getting more common now a days. Once we tasted some success with the economy we are more intolerant than what we were. There is a thin line between confidence and arrogance. Are we not becoming what we complained about the west always? We call the west aggressive, arrogant and over bearing. But are we not starting to mimic the west on this aspect too?

Yes we are growing. We are economically stronger than before. And we have the potential to grow further and for atleast another decade atleast at the current rate. More we are integrated with the world, more the opportunities to explore. But we are also not immune from any global issue anymore. Dollar was at Rs.40 this time last year its Rs. 45 this year. Oil was 90$/barrel this time last year it peaked to 140+ and back to 100$ now. Our inflation was much lesser than the current 12% . And energy is the key for our growth. And how secure is this resource? We need the whole world to help us out with this. Uranium and Nuclear technology is the only recipe for the enormous appetite. So we have the potential to grow but we need the whole world to help us with that.

Why are we dependent on the world for energy? We know we did not have the oil resources. So what was our strategy to develop alternative energy sources? How much was invested in this area and what was achieved? Our nuclear research and capability is shrouded in mystery. Are we hiding something here? But now we know our reactors are running out of fuel and many are running under the maximum capacity. Did our nuclear engineers fail us? Why are we at a point now when the ability to test another atomic weapon is tied to the supply? Is our govt. coming clean on the details of this deal? Or do we know if the whole world will honor the deal if we deviate from what they expect of us? We are still not out of the woods with and without the deal.

And on the other side the World needs us. They need our market. And our labor force. Like China has made manufacturing cheaper, we have made services cheaper. And we are a huge market for international energy companies. Now it is more a two way street than what it was before. But still, how much do we contribute and how much do we take? I am sure we do not hold the upper hand. Are we even atleast? No country is completely independent. But how critical is their dependency determines the strength.

Japan imports food. We are self reliant on this aspect. But good are we with water? All our major rivers flow across international boundaries at places. China can cut Brahmaputra out and divert water into its mainland. Nepal and China can cut water flowing into India. So what is out strategy to manage relations with these smaller nations around us and who hold the key to our survival?

Hope? Is it Hopeless?

We are one of the fastest growing economy in the world. The fastest growing Democracy. Atlast, we shed the Hindu rate of growth of the 80s. Predictions galore. India is the next super power. And already a mini superpower. And more stuff like that. How hopeful are we to achieve this status? How realistic is that hope? Is it like God will show up one day as a knight on a horse back? Or like Sachin Saurav and Rahul can win us a world cup? Even if we grow economically what is the quality of life we are expecting? What about the environmental degradation? And associated health concerns? Are we going to spend the new wealth on water and medicines? Can we ever match the western quality of life even with the new found wealth? Where do we stand today ?

The most basic and fundamental of all requirements, tolerance. How tolerant are we? We are quick to jump on people if we are called racists? Remember Symonds - Bhaji? Are we really racists? We are not. Racism is more diverse and encompassing than what we are? We are casteists, lingustic bigots, regionalists, religious fanatics and least of all, if ever remembered, nationalists. Who can dare to call us racists? It will be years before we get there. So when are we going to heal?

Nation first mentality. We have a bottom up mentality and we never reach the top. Except in rarest of rare cases. Indo US Nuke deal is one example. But to get there Cong let regional satraps run away with so many things. Regional aspirations overtake national interests. And almost all states bordering the international boundaries (or LoC / LAC ... whatever it is called) have problems integrating with the mainstream. North East is like a separate country. Kashmir is still boiling. Naxals are entering newer territories and have a new found vigor since the communists took power in Nepal. 60 years since Independence and we are yet to secure our boundaries. How long can we fool students with wrong maps? How much of the actual published maps are under Indian control? How much are under atleast the Military control? How much of it has civilian leadership?

Accountability. Something our politicians and babus never heard about. What are they accountable for? How long do they spend time in the Parliament? How many times do they sleep during the sessions? Do they perform any duty commiserate with the pay (Approx 16000 per month)? How much time a common man being paid that money spends at work as against these MPs? When they cannot even attend the sessions and ask the right questions and get things done, how dumb are we to vote them back to power time and again? On the other side, how many of us vote? No excuses. Name not in the voter list, recently moved, out of town, hot outside, sick.... Think about the Cinema ticket lines we stood in, time wasted watching cricket matches during work days, time spent on Diwali shopping, and ofcourse in Tirupathi queue. Did we ever complain then?

Corruption. I don agree Western democracies are perfect. They all have issues. But with a difference. We need not bribe someone to perform his duty. Bribe is to make someone do something to bypass laws. In India, to get a the govt servant perform his duty he needs to bribed. What does it take to clean this? Education? Integrity? Higher salary? Discipline? We are always ready to jump with on politicians about black money. Given today's real estate prices, how many of us own black money? Are we not corrupt? Are we not greedy? Its just that we did not get our hands on such money before and when we did, we proved we are no different than our favourite corrupt politician.

To be counted and respected we need to show more discipline in everyday life. The way we ride on the roads, dispose garbage, personal hygiene. No road is wide enough the way we drive. Any number of garbage disposal dumpsters will not solve the problem if we are not ready to walk to it and drop the bag off. No clean wall will be seen till we stop spitting and peeing as we wish. So we need to behave when we travel and at home.

We should stop claiming things and instead make the world notice us. Imitation is the best form flattery. So stop mimicing the west and make them mimic us. Don't stop with Yoga.

To be continued...