Times like last night get me wondering if India really is developing. Except for the slow but steady growth in the GDP and an ever reigning service sector, our still agriculture dependent economy has miles to go before it moves beyond being rated as one of the top economies in the world in terms of PPP (purchasing power parity).
My new neighbours are from Romania and they obviously like to learn a lot of new things about different cultures, one of them being 'Mera Bharat Mahaan'. Post dinner stroll and curious 'foreigners' can get you to think. They love to hold hands (in public) and we Indians give them brazen glares; we look at the 'white' colour as if defying them, pretending to look through their souls; every one trying to dupe them of their money, overcharging the new breed of species; showcasing values and beliefs that end the very second we are in the confines of our home; passing lewd remarks (in hindi) with a smile. That is the dualistic and welcoming nature of My Country !!!
From a hearty breakfast to a ladened lunch, ending with a sizeable dinner, from Indian guys asking their female friends to set them up with the 'phoren maal' to guys going out of their way to help them showing their 'oh-so-caring' attitude (how come you guys are such jerks around us??), from inviting the sexy white females clad in shorts and spaghettis to numerous parties to hoping to sleep with one of them, my country men/women never seize to surprise anyone.
India is a land of diversity. This is one line that each one us learns when we probably are in the formative years. But what is this diversity all about???
Is it about the spurt of international brands available under one roof or is it about the poverty that is unmistakably evident on the streets of India? Is it about the 'Incredible India' campaign advertising about Kerala or is it about the lack of basic amenities to the natives of the country? Is it about the festivals like Independence Day and Republic Day where people of all religion get together or is it about my countrymen killing each other in God's name? Is it about the provision of education for all or is it about our corrupt and uneducated politicians robbing the nation and it's people of all the possible wealth that they have? Is it about the values presented to us by Karan Johar in his dreamy version of 'My NRI targeted India' or is it about our youngsters losing sight of each value and belief that not only an Indian but every HUMAN should stand for? Is it about the sexuality of Jacqueline Fernandes and the likes being showcased on the BigScreen or is it about the startled expression on the faces of people at the mere mention of Live-in relationships or females drinking vodkas? Is it about the 'babas', each one of them operating a Swiss Bank Account, portraying to work for the development of the mankind or is it about taking steps to guide the youth and nurturing their growth as 'Leaders of Tomorrow'?
Global brands from Coca-Cola and Starbucks to McDonald's and an increasing number of services are uniting nations in a global marketplace that makes each more interdependent upon the others. Is it a mere process or an ideology? I just wish there was something that could unite the people of my nation too; showcasing cultural values that stem from within and not from the last century's beliefs that continue to hold ground without acceptance.
I will quote Mark Twain and Will Durant here. India is the cradle of human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend and the great grandmother of tradition. In return for conquest, arrogance and spoliation, let us all teach the tolerance and gentleness of a mature mind and a unifying and a pacifying love for all living beings.
(P.S: A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the souls of its people.)
