Everything that I loved about India has been in its past. The radical thinking of Gandhi, the literature of Kalidas, the architecture of Taj, the films of Satyajit Ray... I grope to find something of consequence that arouses my jingoistic fervor in current times. Or that was the case till a few days back when I brunched with 6 non-Indian friends in a restaurant filled with more non-Indians. When I looked around me and saw the sea of white (and I am not being racist here), it suddenly dawned on me that there must be something about this country that still attracts those strangers living beyond the seas. I almost yelped out a jubiliant cry in my head "India still has it!" . This interesting conglomeration had me wondering - why do they come here? Is it because India is so cheap for them, most certainly so. But somehow, I couldn't let myself be convinced of this reply alone, there certainly IS something more than the economic viability that terms this country that I live in, 'exotic'. Ofcourse this incident had generated enough intellectual curiosity in me and I knew tonight was going to be another one of those sit down and reflect moments.
So as I sit down with my glass of wine and the magical baritone of Abida Parveen levitating me to an ethereal state of mind, I begin my journey of rediscovering India! I realize I have been harsh on my homeland, all of us living here have. Cribbing about the state of affairs, criticizing the civic sense of fellow citizens, all-in-all nurturing a super negative attitude and deeming myself too good for this country. Then it hit me like a hard slap across my face. "I am a fool to not enjoy being a part of this glorious era of this country". Because that is excatly what it is - a poignant revolution. How else could you term a change of this magnitude where people are earnestly fighting for their individuality, where women are in the awakening of their newly discovered rights, where virtual world precedes the reality of tomorrow, where the custodians of society and religion are constantly questioned about dogmas that have plagued innocent, faithful minds? While I dwell in this recent consolation, another thought crosses my mind - there should be no reason to be ashamed of ignorance, provided you see the wave of change in the horizon. Every successful civilization went through it, every advanced country was once doomed in the dark ages. India too, is in a similar bubble right now and it is our fortune that we will be part of this significant change. It is definitely the time for action, for questioning, for discovering that country where you'd want your children to grow in.
Someone I knew said, "It is best to live in the ages of turmoil than to live in one of absolute stillness". That is the exact reason that attracts people to India - the dynamic, pulsating, uncertain times. You hate it one minute and you love it the immediate next, but you cannot go a single moment without forming an opinion of it. During these vibrant times, changes are creeping in to our lives even though we do not, would not like to acknowledge it. The international airport, the promise of a new mode of transport - the metro, the new generation women and men who finally think 'marriage' is not the only solution to settling down. Aging parents who respect and admire the new age thoughts of a supposedly irresponisible genreation... how can we deny that these aren't the stepping stones to a different India?
Yes, this wave hasn't necessarily percolated to the least common denominator, but it is only a matter of time that it will. It has to. In the years to come this country will be the result of the questioning that we are doing today and to me, all of a sudden, it is a privilege to be a part of this Indian revolution!
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3 comments:
I do agree that its a Revolution of Indian change. Most of the things around me are changing and they are changing for good. The mentatlity to get cheap labour is there but its dimissed with the fact the most of the Top brains across the globe are Indians. Also this era of change is stemmed from the fact that people are not just cribbing any more there are leaders brought forward from the Lead India http://www.lead.timesofindia.com/default.asp
campaign who are driving change. The political corruption is slowing with Sting operations and young blood taking charge. The "white skin" is finding the best of talent in India and then there are Indian companies who are acquiring companies across the globe like your Arecellor Mittal and the Tatas going global.
I am proud to be part of this change and the growth revolution in India!
Proud to be an Indian and produ to bring that change in India!
A poignant revolution it is...
I wouldn't labor the fact that India has come a long way... And that it is undergoing massive transformation... But only if we shed our cynical outlook and open our eyes, will we reckon the promising winds of change. Sadly, not many of us do that.
India houses a sixth of humanity within its borders, but generates only around 2% of global GDP, with 25% of our population living below the poverty line; YET, we have become world's 12th largest economy (3rd in Asia) having made significant progress towards establishing a competitive position in the global economy.
India is yet to "arrive" but... India still has it! :o)
Good one Kuki!
Thank you for the comment Ashutosh. You did bring in a very valid point - the booming economy of India does have the world watching us closely. What amazes me is that we are still groping with the same problems we had during independence - illiteracy, population, under nutrition, but despite that we are slowly making progress. I guess what people fail to recognise is that there has been very clearly a forward momentum. Perhaps the ray of hope does get overshadowed by the prevalent sea of troubles.
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