India has been and continues to be the cradle and the place of origin of many distinguished people who have raised the name of the country to great heights. Their intelligence, talents and hard work have paid off and they have come a long way to achieve what they did. Much unlike in this country, they earned, by merit, the positions they hold or held.
Rishi Sunak’s grandparents hailed from Punjab in Pakistan and is not therefore of Indian descent, as claimed by TV channels and many others. However, he is a Hindu, apparently a devout one, who reportedly even bowed once before a cow and people laughed at him. A Hindu is today the Prime Minister of a predominantly Christian country. The Mayor of London is a Muslim. Kamala Harris, the Vice President of USA is of Indian descent and was raised both in Hindu and Christian environment. The PM of Portugal, Antonio Costa, is of Goan origin. His grandfather lived in Margao for many years and died here.
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We boast of our countrymen’s achievements but have we ever introspected as to why Goans and other Indians make a name only abroad? Will the fanatics who propound a Hindu Rashtra and anti- conversion laws tell us whether they would ever allow a Muslim or Christian Prime Minister in India? It is even said that Goa can never dream of having a Catholic Chief Minister, in future. Have we not seen the opposition to Sonia Gandhi being the PM because of her Italian origin? Fortunately, she did not become PM, as she would have never been allowed to rule peacefully.
Are we, Indians, so narrow minded that we cannot think beyond caste, religion and origin? Does it behove of intelligent and talented Indians to be represented by mediocre and corrupt people, whose only aim is to stay forever in power, at all costs, ignoring honesty and integrity and excel in the art of poaching elected representatives throwing to the winds character, principles and people’s and country’s interests? Does it honour us to have criminals in our Parliament and Assemblies?
Gone are the days when people of the stature of Rajendra Prasad, Sarvapali Radhakrishnan, Jawaharlal Nehru, C Rajagopalachari, etc, occupied top positions. Merit is no longer the criteria, nor is honesty, a desirable virtue. In fact, the more dishonest one is, the greater the demand. I would go a step further and say that being honest and upright is now a disqualification and that there is no place for such people in this country. We know it too well, that jobs are on sale, which many cannot afford. Possibly, a few deserving people from the Minister’s constituency are accommodated free. But is that a fair way of recruiting, bypassing those entitled and perhaps even more needy? This ought to weigh on the conscience of those in charge, provided they have one.
To Sunak, who India still claims being of “Indian origin”, and Kamala Harris, the interests of their countries are uppermost, unlike here, where some industrialists have priority over people and the country. He may be inclined towards India, but surely will not hesitate to condemn, like Harris did, though very subtly, violation of human rights and hate and divisive policies, which this Government seems to be tilting towards, much to the discomfort of the people of this country.
