I wrote and contributed the under mentioned Article to one of India’s National Newspapers “THE HINDU” which published it in their supplement-OPEN PAGE- 0n Tuesday, July 15, 1997. I am reproducing the Article Verbatim, this time for web log.
India is a great country, an Indian, can be proud of. It has an ancient and rich heritage.
The Hindu scripts – the Upanishads, the Bhagavad-Gita, the Vedas and the great epics – the Mahabharatha and the Ramayana – teach how a man should conduct himself in all situations, at all places and at all times. Indians are spread all over the world and viewed in the right perspective; an Indian has all the traits of a perfect individual. But then he is not in the limelight internationally. At crucial times, is wanting in skill. Be it in academics, politics, statesmanship or sports. Globally his identity does not reverberate as that of the European, American, Japanese and Chinese. Economists harp on the lack of competitiveness among the Indian Businessmen. There is no distinct “Indian Management” which could become a “benchmark” like that of American Management/Japanese Management. The Indian’s deeds do not get highlighted. An Indian is definitely not inferior, but is not among the best.
The Indians, as a group, are not cohesive. There is a lack of “co-ordination” among individuals, among groups – social, cultural, functional: among systems, institutions and states. This lack of “ co-ordination” may be traced to selfishness, lack of trust, and the inability to find joy in working together as a team for a common goal. This leads to divisiveness, asking for criticism, with the result images are tarnished and the main purpose is defeated. This phenomenon is visible among the bureaucrats, the politicians, the intellectuals, the business community and the sports fraternity – all those who matter and who give a poor account of themselves as a group despite individual brilliance. This contrast in human behaviour can perhaps be traced to age-old beliefs, religious tolerance, poverty and the diversity in day-to-day living conditions. The socialistic system of governance, although good in concept, has not yielded the desired results in view of people’s basic attitudes, absence of a work culture and ethics. Perhaps governance by a mixture of “ Ism”s could be a solution. If small dose of capitalism, socialism, fascism, Nazism and communism are administered depending upon the needs, it could perhaps lead to a satisfactory governance. This mixture may be called “Indianism.”
India is capable of solving its own problems. As a nation, we have achieved self-sufficiency in food, prime requirement for sustenance. The communication network has vastly improved. The infrastructure is now getting some attention. The power sector, production hitherto neglected is being augmented. It will improve. The “glasnost” and “perestroika” that began five years ago will surely yield results. Transportation – both rail and road – which is under consideration for improvement will also pick up. These achievements must be highlighted at the global level. They should be publicized in the under-developed and developing countries and more vigorously in the developed countries. Doordarshan snippets depicting national integrity are certainly helping the cause of “Indianness” within India. What is needed is a marketing strategy. India must be presented as a product, a quality product to be projected on the global scene.
Indians must develop the feeling of “Interdependence” which is possible only if there is love. “ We must love ourselves, love fellow-countrymen, love fellow human beings, love nature and love God” – nothing says it better than these words of Earnest Holmes & Willis H. Kinnear in their book – “ A New design for living.” Lack of love is evident at the international level what with countries constantly in conflict. There needs to be a feeling of love and an awareness of inter-dependence, for this is what makes life what it is.
To feel proud of being an Indian requires a shift in attitude. This process can be started by bringing in reforms in the main structures of society – the bureaucracy, the legislature and the judiciary.
For any activity, discipline is the key word. It should begin with the self, then be extended to the family, neighbours, environment, work place, and the nation at large. It is from society that inspiration is drawn. Systems and institutions (the police, the municipality, healthcare and the local bodies.) should provide the inspiration to society through performance, which in turn will provide leaders, capable of re-building, and re-structuring society into a strong nation. The nationalistic spirit then becomes infectious.
Population is a problem. It is a hindrance to governance. The population should be used for the benefit of the country in the near future, but curbed in the long run through education.
Educational reforms must be given priority along with economic reforms. If both are pursued simultaneously, the country will leap forward. A policy announcement on these lines will be the best gift to the people in India’s 50th year of independence. School (primary) education could be made compulsory and free of cost in rural and semi-urban areas and subsidized in urban and metropolitan areas. If this policy is pursued, Indians in the future will acquire perceptions of living and develop self-confidence with faith in their abilities leading to character development.
The political leaders have perfected the art of staying in power and their progeny is also groomed to take over the mantle. If this is not halted, it would be disastrous for the country, as decadence will set in. What we require is a system that should set an age-limit and a fixed system (maximum two) for any political office, without recourse to another term. This will throw up competent leaders representing a cross-section of society, from different regions. This exercise of choosing leaders offers people scope to work together for a common goal, which will usher in nationhood. Let us say, “I am an Indian rather than I hail from a region in India.”
The fourth estate should propagate “Indianness” through regular features highlighting the shortcomings of the system/institutions of democracy so that public criticism acts as a deterrent against errant individuals or institutes thereby offering them scope for introspection and shift in thinking.
M.V.Madhusudan.
For sometime there was no feedback to my Article from the Readers, which disappointed me. After three months, I received a letter from an Australian, all the way from Melbourne, complimenting me for my views, and sharing his own thoughts, which I always cherish. Mr.David William Martin, the Australian, an Engineer by Profession, who’s first overseas posting brought him to India, and lived in Calcutta during the years 1952 – 1961. His love, respect for the Indians and their hospitality made him visit India number of times. He always felt that India was misunderstood, and not properly projected by several foreign writers. His determination to set the records straight, resulted in bringing out his highly researched book” THE CHANGING FACE OF CALCUTTA” which is a study on contemporary India. A book to be read.
I was thrilled to receive his first letter, which set the platform for exchange of extensive letter writing to this day, a joyous habit of us. He was twice my guest at my house in Hyderabad since then. An example of great understanding.
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