India as a Nation state
The Indian Nation is an enigma. The history of a Nation is fundamental to its evolution as a large society and as a coherent polity. Freedom too can thus be classified into two parts. They are freedom of thought and action. In the part I had published earlier the point discussed was freedom of thought, faith or religion as you may want to interpret the spiritual world. Culture and beliefs are also shaped by the faith and practices adopted by the evolving society in its progress.
Politics and warfare were never seriously discussed in the very ancient and ancient Indian scriptures. There are no details of intelligent strategies and intricate tactics of the epic battles of Ramayana and Mahabharata. Sketchy narrations of maneuvers do exist; but they are couched in deceit and divine interventions leaving a lot to the readers’ imagination and interpretations. Neither do the scriptures dwell on intricacies of Governance. The first formal treatise on governance and warfare was compiled by the great Chanakya in his arthashastra as late as 2nd century BC. Let me explain this a bit more.
India in whatever geographical form never ever was ruled democratically until a couple of decades or so ago. Yes, until about twenty years or so ago. What is now India consisted of several Kingdoms. Then the conquerors, Lodhis, Mughals, the British et al, ruled over India for centuries till August 15, 1947. Our Nation became a sovereign state on that day. Since time immemorial Indians never had a stake in Governance until the General elections to the first Lok Sabha since independence which was held between 25 October 1951 and 21 February 1952. Since then for about half a century in effect it was a one party / dynastic rule, much like the Chinese structure of politics today – all orders coming from ‘high command’. Besides, I have some arithmetic for you-
(A representative example)
- Total eligible voters in India - 100
- Registered voters - 70
- Those who exercise their franchise - 49
(On an average 70% of registered voters)
- Winning votes - 18
(on an average 35% of votes cast)
So in our democracy we are ruled by those who represent (in effect) 18-20% of the electorate - so much for our democratically elected Government(s). I am not even mentioning ‘politics’ here.
India as a free state
Indians had not really tasted freedom of action. So when at midnight on a spring day, we were ‘given’ our ‘freedom’, many of us probably did not know what to make of it and thought that whatever we were not supposed to do till then we could do thereafter. We started flouting all rules and thought that was freedom…we continue to do so till this day. This aspect can start a never ending discussion on the direct responsibility of a citizen in Governance. I will let it rest.
Many of us Indians (I use this term to address us and do not at all mean to compare us with some other Nationals) still do not know what freedom means and wait to be told what to do – like orders that have to come from the high command - and probably also supervised (violate the red lights if the police is not watching!!!!). This is true with everybody in the hierarchy and expanse of the society. In this sense as a democracy we started to evolve only in the past couple of decades when the doors to our economy and polity were once again thrown open to the world at large – but this time as a democracy…we have to be patient to evolve.
Let me tell you a theory I have been nursing for long. Here are my three definitions for you.
- Rich : Regular income is of no consequence for luxury living.
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- Middle Class: Lives comfortably and sometimes (on a scale ranging from always to occasionally) have disposable incomes for luxuries.
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- Poor : Struggle to make both ends meet.
Today the poor are at the bottom of the pyramid (do not confuse this pyramid with the Pyramids in economics or the Defence Forces) and looks like this (top to bottom).
Today: Rich 10% :: Middle Class 20% :: Poor 70%
Where we want to reach to become a mature democracy and a developed really free Nation is this (top to bottom).
Target: Poor 10% :: Rich 20% :: Middle Class 70%
In Passing…
Why do we always tend to compare a 235 year old democracy (USA) with a 20 year old democracy (India)? Let us be what we are and evolve in our own way – to become stronger and richer. We are a young polity grappling with a system of Governance (democracy) which is totally alien to our history and cultural traditions. Shall we say that when the wisdom in our ancient scriptures permeates the evolving politics of the day we would have arrived?
Milkha Singh almost got us an Olympic medal in 1960 (half a century ago!!!). His son Jeev is a professional golfer playing regularly on the European tour and occasionally in the USPGA and earning millions. I wonder whether in that we have more than what meets the eye. The Olympic medals are another story for another day.
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