We have been hearing and reciting this patriotic sentence for quite a few years now. Literally meaning - "My India is great", it gives us a sense of pride when we hear it. I, for one, have been hearing it during my school/college days and have always believed in this.
But during the past few years, I have come across many situations which has made me to look back upon this statement with a questioning attitude.
Having seen so many social, political and economical prejudice that has engulfed almost the entire nation, has made me change my mind, so much so, that I am having second thoughts living in this country. Many may ask me what have I done to change it. Yes, I have not done much, but whatever I have tried to do, has been futile. It may be true that I am running away from the problem, but I don't see any solution in the near future (well, let's say in the next 100 years).
Nearly 42% of our country's population lives below poverty line (ref. wiki). The economic disparity between the rich and the poor has been widening. The political scenario is not much better. I will call them (our revered politicians) the scavengers, who prey upon these poor people. People, who are good and willing to change it, will never get to the power to have any effect. It's always those power hungry eagles who will rule the roost.
The respect for humanity is eroding. I have seen people treating others like petty creatures just because they are either economically down, or are doing work which are menial. Having been to a developed country, where I saw the kind of respect each and every person get, irrespective of his field of work/wage, I am shameful that similar treatment is not meted out to our people.
The respect for human life is seen most when I saw a cab driver actually hitting the curb and damaging his wheel in order to allow an ambulance to pass. I was shocked. I am sorry to say, I will hardly find any such incident in India.
One thing that India really scores in is - corruption. I remember that a recent study showed it in the top bracket amongst the most corrupted officials, where people have to pay bribe to get even their basic rights.
"A country is never great, it is the people living there who has the ability to make it better." Can we say the same thing about India? I believe, you will agree, it is unfortunately not the case with India.
So, with all these things happening around, and having tried to change them and failed, am I really wrong in thinking about not staying here? Relocating to someplace else - Where I am treated because of what I am not because of what I do, where I stay, how much I earn or what I wear; Where I get respect because of my deeds, not because of the family I am born into; Where I will have my freedom. Where rights are not there only in some book (read Constitution) but implemented effectively as well. Are these not my basic rights? Am I not entitled to them?
As always, you are entitled to your opinion, and it is not my intention to change it. I just wanted to bring my perspective across, for people to think...
But during the past few years, I have come across many situations which has made me to look back upon this statement with a questioning attitude.
Having seen so many social, political and economical prejudice that has engulfed almost the entire nation, has made me change my mind, so much so, that I am having second thoughts living in this country. Many may ask me what have I done to change it. Yes, I have not done much, but whatever I have tried to do, has been futile. It may be true that I am running away from the problem, but I don't see any solution in the near future (well, let's say in the next 100 years).
Nearly 42% of our country's population lives below poverty line (ref. wiki). The economic disparity between the rich and the poor has been widening. The political scenario is not much better. I will call them (our revered politicians) the scavengers, who prey upon these poor people. People, who are good and willing to change it, will never get to the power to have any effect. It's always those power hungry eagles who will rule the roost.
The respect for humanity is eroding. I have seen people treating others like petty creatures just because they are either economically down, or are doing work which are menial. Having been to a developed country, where I saw the kind of respect each and every person get, irrespective of his field of work/wage, I am shameful that similar treatment is not meted out to our people.
The respect for human life is seen most when I saw a cab driver actually hitting the curb and damaging his wheel in order to allow an ambulance to pass. I was shocked. I am sorry to say, I will hardly find any such incident in India.
One thing that India really scores in is - corruption. I remember that a recent study showed it in the top bracket amongst the most corrupted officials, where people have to pay bribe to get even their basic rights.
"A country is never great, it is the people living there who has the ability to make it better." Can we say the same thing about India? I believe, you will agree, it is unfortunately not the case with India.
So, with all these things happening around, and having tried to change them and failed, am I really wrong in thinking about not staying here? Relocating to someplace else - Where I am treated because of what I am not because of what I do, where I stay, how much I earn or what I wear; Where I get respect because of my deeds, not because of the family I am born into; Where I will have my freedom. Where rights are not there only in some book (read Constitution) but implemented effectively as well. Are these not my basic rights? Am I not entitled to them?
As always, you are entitled to your opinion, and it is not my intention to change it. I just wanted to bring my perspective across, for people to think...
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