My India and I

If we are seeking indirect culpability for all that is happening in our India, let us not look beyond ourselves.

Manmohan Singh was one like us. His mother died young. He was brought up by his maternal grandmother. So, in all probabilities he grew up in a value system which was his hallmark when, as a surprise package who knew politics only as a word in the English lexicon, was drafted in as the finance minister by Narasimha Rao in 1991. In the next decade he turned around the Indian economy putting it on the road driven by the market. He became an indispensable part of the congress party (for his skills with matters finance) and got sucked into the system. His interest, possibly, only to see his policies and plans fructify for a resurgent India and take it towards becoming a world power. I do not write this in defence of MMS, the PM of India. Read on…

This is the story of all of us. We all let ourselves get sucked into the system. In this forum  I had said that temples make man forget God and emphasis on methods obscure values. For instance some may think that wearing a sari and a big round bindi is Indian culture (used only as an example and not meant as a chauvinistic comment).  I repeat, symbolism is different from content. Symbolism is fragile – content is durable. We must realize, India is not erstwhile Egypt (a repressed state, ruled by a despot) nor is it China (a regimented state ruled by a monolithic system) – India is a democracy where we have rights not enjoyed in China or Egypt. The very strength which provides for unity of India in diversity precludes a despotic rule in India; this very diverse nature of people prevents introduction of a monolithic government system – these are two alternates to democracy. If you do not want democracy, revolt.

Now for those who want a revolution – tell me, what after that? ; a despot or a monolithic system? Or another democracy ?  A Sania in place of a Sonia? Sukhwinder Singh for PM?  Kodanda Raman for HM? Mind you Sania, SS and KR will be made from the same mould as Sonia, MMS and PC or for that matter Sharma S or Advani LK . Every system has failings. Any system which upholds human and humane values and is true to itself will succeed despite the failings. Instead of looking to treat the symptom let us seek a cure for the disease.

So, what do we do? Let us change ourselves – let us stop going to temples*  - public places of worship - and realize GOD in ourselves. (* Please do not take this in the literal sense. Read the figurative meaning.)  Let us trade values for methods – let us improve content than symbolize. Let us stop hero worship – it does not matter who scores a ton, Sachin, Sehwag or Pathan, as long as India wins! Let not the system get buried under the weight of a Raja or a Kalmadi – eliminate the importance of charismatic individuals in the system and look beyond what we can see. Let us not patronize a Tata or an Ambani, let us not be in awe of an Attila, let us not ……… A bit vague? I know – but reflect, there may be something in it.

 Nitish ( A very unassuming individual; he was praising P Chidambaram as union home minister publicly on TV! He is not one for snide remarks or into giving a left handed compliment)  in Bihar seems to be succeeding as he pursues an agenda less personal and more public; his deeds are better known than him (by the way, Nitish Kumar is a reelected-for-second-term  CM of the state of Bihar). Is there a lesson there?

Friends, it all precipitates to the individual – that is you and I. In a democracy the buck stops at our door step. We as a people have to retrieve the value system.  The change has to be bottom up and not top down. I have a message for all fellow Indians - Let the change be you.

 Here is a verse from Peter Dale Winbrow's work, “The man in the glass”

For it isn't your father, your
mother, or wife,
  Whose judgment of you -
you must pass,
  The fellow whose verdict
counts most in your life,
  Is the guy staring back in the
glass.