Living the Indian dream...

July 4 1776, the day United States of America declared its Independence from colonial rule using an charter called the United States 'Declaration of Independence'. The US as we know it today; is based on the constitution formed then, by its founding fathers and they swear by it even today, in the 21st century, nearly 234 years after its Independence. The founding fathers gave every American; an inalienable rights of Life, Liberty and Pursuit of happiness and people to this day call it living the American dream. Elections are fought and won on the ability to provide a conducive environment by the candidate to his fellow Americans to live the "American dream". Its this simple concept called the "American dream" that unites 350 million Americans under one roof; they are no more blacks and whites, immigrants and locals they are only Americans. They are proud of the fact that they are a beacon to a democratic world and they preach and practice it.



India was liberated from its colonial masters some 60 odd years ago. We are still a young democracy and have not yet perfected the art. There are sections of public life that are conducted as part of dynastic politics or personal fiefdom. There are many a loop holes in our "system" and no one denies that; but we are a great country despite these shortcomings. The constitution came into force in 1950 and our founding fathers put a lot of thought into the draft and kept it a live document rather than a snapshot of the past, meaning there have been constant amendments based on change of times. There are so many provisions of our constitution that we know not of, so many rights given to us that our masses don't exercise and the political class have done very little to sell brand India to its masses. Why are we so proud of America and its "system" while know very little of our own. We do not bother to know who our leaders are and what do they stand for, when the elections are held; but we know every single detail about the US president including his personal life and its gory details. Why are we so unwilling to contribute to our society and create and build brand India but more than willing to contribute to the research and economy of western nations. Its a sad state of affairs and being a proud Indian, I feel pity that 1.2 billion people are failing a great nation. We are split into people who are unaware of what they can do to help India and people who are unwilling to do anything for India.



Commonwealth games is an excellent example of the same. People like Suresh Kalmadi and his cronies knew what they had to deliver and on what timeline, some 8 years ago, yet they messed it up willfully. They failed their nation because they were unwilling to do what was required. The rest of us were so apathetic about athletic sports that we were unaware how we could help. Even now, we do not care to go and cheer our team when they are competing. Its people like us that allow the Suresh Kalmadi's to stick to an important post of IOA president for freaking 15 years, milking it dry of funds. I don't remember the last time India has won a medal in athletics, mostly because of lack of infrastructure and proper coaches and add to that corrupt officials who are willing to siphon off all the funds allocated for the players. The sad part is, this is not all that is wrong with us. There are so many ways corruption has crept into our systems that now we have began to accept it as a way of life. When was the last time we went into a government organization and got through without paying a bribe? That's the problem, accepting that we are corrupt and living with it. We, the citizens of this great country have done a great disservice to our nation and are diluting its brand value oversees. People look at us as smart and industrious; but in the same breath say we cant be relied upon and are easily corruptible.

The first thing we have to change, and quickly is refuse to be corrupted and take accountability of our actions. The moment you realise that what you do matters to the country and you are in a very small way contributing to the brand India, you will know how to differentiate the right and wrong. Chinese are fiercely patriotic in this field. They know the don't deliver best of the goods (quality wise) but every person swears by Chinese goods. They don't have best of the governments but they still stand by it and don't like to hear people bad mouthing their government. They don't have free hand to express themselves but they don't complain and find ways to make the best of existing circumstances. If they can be proud of a nation that does not even give them freedom to vote, then why not us. Why are Indians the first to bad mouth our systems rather than making an effort to change them. Why are we the first in line to abuse our rights and break our laws then use our positions to get away with it. Why don't we realise that we are the "system" and its deficiencies are our deficiencies. Just ask yourself, if we the people of India don't work for our country.... who will ???

So long....