Who's country is it anyway?

It has been over a year that I came to the land of opportunities, liberty and personal freedom, the US. The abundance of natural resources, the magnificent infrastructure, the discipline observed at public places in this country, really amazes me. There is no one, not even the President of the country, above its laws. Makes me wonder, why can't my country be like this? Why can't we have a system that truly exists for its citizens and people?
Do we lack natural resources?No. Is there a dearth of talent?I am afraid not. Are we forgetting that once we had a glorious present? May be. But just exulting about the jubilant past is not going to lead us anywhere.

Abundance and prosperity were not conferred onto West. It was no co incidence.
People and government worked hard towards that goal. Many times, I have observed, we Indians only blame the government. We only complain, fret and fume as to how the politicians are corrupt and vicious, how they have rendered our country destitute and plundered, and that we are helpless and nothing can change.

Why are we so pessimistic? This kind of cynicism is dangerous and it would only take us down to the road of perdition. The most common excuse is "I alone trying to bring the change can not help. The system is like this only". I agree to some extent. The system is deeply rotten in some parts by the politicians and bureaucrats . But who is going to improve it?Do you think that Americans and Britishers are going to do that for us? No! they would rule us for another 500 years. Do you think that some magic or god will automagically, some how rescue us?I say you have a blind faith and besides, god helps only those who help themselves.

Only we can make our country better. I would like to quote a simple analogy here. I am poor and my family is plagued by a number of issues like poverty, diseases, unruly children etc. I go 3 blocks across to my friend's place who has a lovely home, he is prosperous and the whole family is doing well in every aspect of life. I envy them and at the same time admire the way they function. I ask myself why cant my family prosper and achieve the quality of life like my friend's family? Only if we as a family take the charge of the situation that we can improve our situation.
The point is, just as for my home I am responsible, for our country, we the citizens of India are responsible.
You might say, yah I have heard this rhetoric many times. You haven't faced the bureaucracy etc. Let me tell you that I have lived in this country for 25 years and I have been a part of this system for a long period of time now. I am not saying that we need to give up what we are doing and be full time activists to change the system. There are people to play that role as well. But certainly we can do our part by being responsible citizens, by not jumping the signal, by not littering public places with garbage, by refusing to accept or give bribes, by voting the right people, by being socially and politically aware!
Just blaming the system, politicians, and ranting that just one person can not do much is not going to help in anyway.
Don't expect quick results, don't expect that things will change overnight.
No! I believe that human existence is essentially about struggle. For thousands of years our forefathers have struggled against the forces of nature and man made vices like social injustice, poverty, religious dogma and what not. And thats why today I am enjoying all the comforts in life and able to type this blog on my computer and publish it at a single click of the mouse . But we, as today's youth have a responsibility to carry on that legacy of what our ancestors handed over to us.
I am repeating, its ONLY us, the citizens of India who can bring about the change, and relive the glorious past. Nobody else will do it for us.