When the children of midnight gave birth to a nation they knew what they were doing and the world clapped and applauded their victory. India’s claim to nationhood and full membership in a democracy was born – with Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru – our brightest new stars.
India’s ascending star was shining bright in 1947, and we had come of age. A developing nation with an old and ancient culture and mature enough and open-minded enough to solve our own problems. We chose to solve our problems through consensus (not Majoritarianism) and acceptance of differences of opinion. And, of course, a pluralistic way of life. Unity in diversity?
When we compare today the level of quality of our Members of Parliament and State legislatures to what we had then, it is laughable and also sad indeed.
What is happening in our hallowed institutions all over our country for a long time now?
A downfall has been our history in the previous several decades. While we have made economic progress so have a hundred and one countries since World War 2.
Technology moves smoothly and easily across national borders for a reasonable toll gate fee.
Ours comparatively is a good story of development – in no way a remarkable tale – there are far more exciting scenarios around the world if only we would open our eyes to them.
We, however, did it as the world’s largest democracy – and that has been our pride! Few countries can boasts of having done it this way.
As the song says – My Way! Yes, My Way, India’s Way!
Where we fail today unfortunately is not on the economic front but our cultural values. Our spiritual values are as alive as the dead pages of our ancient texts.
Are we really of the same country and same culture of Gautama Buddha and others who have taken humanity beyond the borders of wildest imagination? How different – even from 1947?
Watching TV is always an opportunity to have a good cry. As every dark cloud has a silver lining, it is cathartic and good for our health.
That is the good news.
We don’t have manners anymore is the bad news; it is okay to interrupt someone again and again on screen and off, and scream and shout to our hearts’ desire!
Are we witnessing debates on TV or one of Osho Rajneesh’s group therapy sessions?
We resemble a pack of dogs on a lot of TV channels. Where has our dignity and culture gone, where is the ancient Indian culture of which we are rightly proud? Nowhere, unfortunately. Lost and not found – so far!
Maybe it is available in textbooks for children. But, then, children have ears and eyes don’t they?
Has our culture evaporated, and instead – the answer to a question invariably is a shouting match, threat or much worse.
In some States in India political power decides everything, with courts nothing more than ‘a tool of the people in power.’ Some are willing to settle issues without a pretence of a debate. Is this democracy? Are we reverting to a state of animality?
While literacy and instruction is available to all, reason and reasonable behaviour is becoming a luxury. Our governments do not acknowledge the Indian voter as a human being unless he or she is a well connected person or is wealthy. Does the government care if you live or die?
Pot holes on our roads every year after the monsoons are inviting conical graves and continue to be seen everywhere; they are the cause of thousands of deaths over the years in Goa – but where is the responsibility? Is no one responsible, only the monsoon? Potables and not road lights make for a deadly cocktail. Who cares? Does the voter after the election not have any value at all? How much is the ordinary citizen’s life worth? If the roads don’t get you the formalin in fish will, don’t worry!
In every government department today in Goa the person who was previously in charge is to blame for everything! And, it goes without saying, whatever is good it is because of the present incumbent. Who else?
Somehow the person-in-charge will shirk responsibility, and has to get out of the situation by hook or mostly by crook. That is the long and short of it. The pot hole graves are ready for you – courtesy of our government – and you may go away with their blessings!
And, as always, the man or woman of conscience is the trouble maker! Life is cheap, time is short, and money has to be made – and sooner the honest man and woman goes – the better! They are the biggest roadblock to our variety of progress.
We Indians, no doubt, have lost our compass and maybe perhaps thrown it away, and over the years it is now buried under a pile of garbage – and is invisible.
We have no idea where we are going, and our ancient tradition of respect for the other person’s viewpoint and approach to truth is slowing declining, and dying. No respect, whatever. We always think highly of only ourselves. Great comedy always has a tragic side to it.
Can we revive our ancient cultural values again? Is civilisation all there is to life?
