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.
7 comments:
How true! However, I believe that changes are already underway. India has a lot of unsung heroes who are doing their bit for the country. To aid them, let's start with the simple things like not jumping signals, exercising the right to vote, etc. as you suggested
A thought full post. Glad to see that someone still thinks and writes about it. Steps mentioned by you are worthwhile and should be tried on individual basis.
Just pointing out a grammatical mistake to make your post better ... "automajically" is the word.
Good one!!
A good read and well written.
But as they say it's easier said then done. We can write blogs; we can speak in public or discuss these issues over and over again but what are the steps that we, ourselves are taking to make a change.Our contribution is of utmost importance.Nothing is impossible but it will take time. After all Rome was not built in one day.
I so completely agree with what you have written. Having stayed in a foreign land for some time these are precisely the thoughts that have crossed my mind time and again.... Simple things like people could just stop honking as soon as the signal turned green or allowed people to cross instead of being in a hurry to speed their way... that itself brings about so much of discipline...
I understand that its more than difficult a task to make the rather illiterate lot get to disciplining their habits, but we as responsible citizens and educated people should make sure we are contributing towards making our city and eventually our country the best place to live in!!!
Inspiring I would say. I myself that if Indians can come and behave so well in a foreign land then why cant they do that in their own country.
I feel its the judiciary that counts. People of our country do no fear the judicial system. And for lack of fear, they do what they want to. I would start with making the judicial system and police force stronger, but I have no clue how to do it, and then there are politicians to deal with I guess.
But atleast we are thinking in some direction, thats some consolation.
I would have agreed with a few years ago. I too, would have agreed that we are a lazy lot who like to pass the buck to someone else. Who like to blame that other person all the time. I, too, have been away from my land that I love so much for a few years. I, too, have admired the way things work in the West. But, when I came back to India, I saw a completely different country. People are so much more empathetic to the poor and the ones suffering. They are so much more conscious of their rights along with their responsibilities. Look at the young politicians, the CSR policies of corporates that are helping the deprived, etc.
I would never want my India to be like another US or a UK. I love the freedom in India. I love the fact that we can cross the road anywhere and not only at traffic lights. I love that there is no Big Brother (CCTV) watching me at all times. We are unique. And given the enormity of the country and the limitation of resources, we are changing and progressing at a pace that we wouldn’t have thought possible a few years ago. We, as the people, are becoming more conscious of our responsibility in the governance of our country.
The issues that you have raised are very much real. But I feel being away from your land for a few years, you do not know how things are changing. We, Indians have indeed realised that it is only ‘us’ who can make things better for ourselves. And we are moving at a pace that surprises everyone. Even ourselves at times…
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