Today I was forced to think about my own identity and my feeling towards my nation. Till Wednesday evening I was proud to be called an Indian. However, Mumbai attack forced me to think why I should be proud to be part of this country and I couldn't think of any thing optimistic. Indians or south Asians normally are very positive about life. They are fond of recollect old days memory (which are generally almost 400 years old) and try to be content thinking of prosperity their forefather enjoyed that time. Nevertheless, when I was asked why I'm proud of India so much I had to take some time to dig out the reasons. So I decided to write down the points which I consider is positive about my nation, a nation, which is under attack from all direction (insider and outsiders equally).
Unity – My foot! Everyone knows how united we are. Nagpurian can't live in peace in Pune, though both are in same state. North Indians do not like south Indians in their team/projects or vicinity and vice versa. It was not enough so we had Raj Thakare who started beating non-marthi in name of Marathi-Manus. I found we as Indian are most racist in world and we love to blame UK/Germany/France for racism against Asians. Moreover, media is branding the terrorist attack as 'War on Mumbai' instead of 'War on Nation'!!!
Utility – At a given point of time almost 50% of India lives without electricity! Even metro cities face power cuts for minimum 8 to 12 hours a day. There is no water service in any major city. Aqua filters or bottled water is a necessity in India today.
Healthcare – God forbid if you meet an accident there are only three possibilities
- You will die on the road as no one will care to take you to hospital
- If somehow you managed to get into ambulance you may die on way to hospital because of traffic or condition of road
- Even if you survive from (a) and (b) the doctor at hospital will refuse to examine you until Police has been informed and FIR is filed Or Cash is deposited
Education - Least you say about this better it is. 300 million population in India earn less than 10£ or 800 Rs per month and Schools charge same amount for monthly bus expense for one child!!! Even after fees, tuition fees, building fund schools try to fetch more money in name of 'Books' (selling books written by trustee of school), School trips or any other means they can invent.
Security – Only person who is safe in this country is Politician. They don't get killed in any terrorist attacks (unless their party gets benefit from them). Rests of a billion public is insects and are destined to die on road accidents, terrorist attacks and riots. There is no way Delhlite can go shopping during Diwali without fearing bomb attack. Now days multiple bomb explosions are in fashion just like multiplexes and are sweeping across the country reaching to every small city or town.
How secure we are? Terrorist can attack any city any target even Red Fort and Parliament at will and our police, army and intellegance can't do any thing. India as a failed democracy is struggling with problems at home; Ulfa/Bodo in east, Naxalite from Bihar to Andhra, Kashmir, Gujrat, Maharashtra, LTTE Now what left?
So after brain storming for 2 hours I couldn't find a single positive point which is good in our beloved country. Okay, I know I have see what I have given back to my country, what I have done for society etc. When I'm in India, I pay taxes but I'm not entitled to get the benefits out of it. No roads, no electricity, no drinking water, no safety nothing. I don't care if only 5% of population pays income tax and rest are just sucking blood out of the system. It's not my fault if people are not sending their kids to school even though primary education is free. Why I should suffer because of these people? I have every right to demand which as a human being I'm entitle to. I'm just demanding water, electricity, shelter, security nothing else. Even after 60 years of independence if we haven't sorted our poverty, illiteracy and other problem than we can safely say India is a failed nation. We can't be proud of our Nuclear missiles, nor we can for Chandrayaan-I.
I have no answer when someone asks me about my country, why are we fighting in name of language, region, and religion. Why people are damaging own national properties, blocking rails, highways.
You want me to feel proud of India? I too want to but I'm still struggling to find the reason to do so. I'm frustrated and might not be thinking rationally so my friends if you can help me with my answers by my guest.
Comments
Does paying one's taxes is end of all the responsibility? Even if it is, do we really pay our taxes fairly? I believe answer for both these question is a big NO.
Somebody famously said a country gets potilicians they deserve. Nothing can be more correct then this. A simple yet most powerful tool of any democracy is vote. How many of us have ever bothered to vote or even registered to vote. If goons are running this country it is because the so called common man has not bothered to stand up and be counted. Everybody says that in all unfortunate situations like terrorist attacks, bomb blasts or flood etc it the common man who suffers the most. But this common man is not willing to responsibility and stand for itself let alone doing anything more significant. We have become a society of sufferers who have now become to comfortable (or immune) with the situation that nothing really affect us.
I dont blame anybody but to myself. Nobody else is responsible for my suffering. Its my inaction and my attitude that is creatng all the problems. If I start taking control of my own situation and start looking into the eyes of terrorist, nobody will dare to stare back.
Its that simple. But can we do that. Its billion people question!
Regards,
Avinash
But still I believe we should not be ashamed of being Indian as it is one of the best country in all areas (Politics aside). Although we have reagional fights but people are still together and they are unite when needed.
The politicians should be forced to live like a normal citizens without a fleet of guards surrounding them. They therefore will realize how unsafe is our country & do something.
If you find that politician doing wrong with our country then we can stop them to do so as our Constitution have given us a power to reject them.
Indian Constitution Allows "I Vote Not to Vote" Did you know that there is a system in Indian constitution, as per section "49-O" that a person can go to the polling booth, confirm his identity, get his finger marked and convey the presiding election officer that he doesn't want to vote for anyone! Yes such a feature is available, but obviously these seemingly notorious leaders have never disclosed it. This is called "49-O". 49-O. Elector deciding not to vote.-If an elector, after his electoral roll number has been duly entered in the register of voters in Form-17A and has put his signature or thumb impression thereon as required under sub-rule (1) of rule 49L, decided not to record his vote, a remark to this effect shall be made against the said entry in Form 17A by the presiding officer and the signature or thumb impression of the elector shall be obtained against such remark.
· Why should you go and say "I VOTE NOBODY"… because, in a ward, if a candidate wins, say by 123 votes, and that particular ward has received "49-O" votes more than 123, then that polling will be cancelled and will have to be re-polled . Not only that, but the candidature of all the contestants will be removed and they cannot contest the re-polling, since people had already expressed their decision on them . This would bring fear into parties and hence look for genuine candidates for their parties for election. This would change the way, of whole political system… it is seemingly surprising why the election commission has not revealed such a feature to the public. [ I am not aware that such a provision “the candidature of all the contestants will be removed and they cannot contest the re-polling “ exist in Indian constitution as I couldn’t find this in Indian Constitution which I downloaded from Indian Govt site although net is dotted every where with it].
· It seems to be a wonderful weapon against corrupt parties in India … show your power, expressing your desire not to vote for anybody, is even more powerful than voting… so don't miss your chance. So either vote, or vote not to vote (vote 49-O)!
Lets hope that this time we will do something concrete.
It's quite unfortunate that such an incident happened in our country.
But I am still hopeful. There are citizens like you who are genuinely concerned.
What we need to fix is that on one hand we denounce these corrupt politicians but at the same time we go out on hordes to elect these inept politicians for running our country. We vote them on the basis of our caste/region and religion. Unless we rise above such parochial issues, such threats can't be dealt with effectively. Just condemning these politicians wont work. It's we who elect them to power and thus we are also responsible. Let us join hands to give these politicians a lesson. Its very sad that when our armymen and commandoes were busy flushing out the terrorists, our politicians were busy making political statements
The hour of the need that we stand united inspite of all diversities.
Ensure by each Indian national that the dirty politician keep off from the Security agencies - Armed forces, Police. We declare an internal WAR ON TERROR AND
1) Introduce Police Reforms in al the States - Equip them with modern weapons and withdraw all weapons of last century which takes atleast 5 minutes to aim and another 10 minutes to fire.
2) NSG to have branches in each States and Mumbai, Delhi, Calcutta, Madras, Bangalore to have NSG presence. Each branch to have at least 4 attack helicopters at their disposal so that they shd be able to reach the scene of chaos in less than 1 hr.
3) No politician to be found in the vicinity of the terror/accident until the operation is declared complete by the Security authorities.
4) This is the most important point which I am sure every Indian will agree NOW: In the next 3 months execute all judgements given in the terror attack - example Prof Afsal who has been convicted for Parliament Attack - he sould be executed before end of December 2008 - come what may we will face it, there is nothing more than what we have faced in the last 3 days. All others who have been convicted for terror, smuggling and infiltration to be implemented. Our enemy has already convinced now that we are a politically and will powerwise a loose state. So long as there is implementation of the judgements pronounced by the Courts, they know they can go scotfree. I am sure very soon we may see a hijack of an aircraft or even a Rajadhani express with full of bombs and the terrorists demanding release of Prof. Afsal from the prison waiting to be hanged. Are we so much shameless Indians? Event after events, can't we still learn and stand up straight.
5) Seal the porous borders on the western sides and start building a fencing along the Bangladesh border, even if it costs the nation by imposing a special tax from the nationals of India for making this to happen we are ready to spend.
6) Joint patroling by the Marine and Land forces. Each village in the Coastal line to have a heavily armed police outpost with marine training and armed speed boats. You keep separate funds in the 2009 budget.
7) Send back each and every Bangladeshis back to their country. Every local MP and MLA is responsible for infiltration of the Bangladeshis(for which any party whether it is Congress, BJP or the bloody so called partisan minded regional parties formed without any ideology). If the security any Bangaladeshi has been found with documents clandestinely prepared then there is a politician behind and that one should be removed from the active politics and from the Govt. and his properties are to be confiscated by the govt.
Can we do all this? I doubt because we do not have the will power to do it and our dirty Politicians will not allow, because they want to keep it alive just like the Kashmir issue to make more and more money.
But at least I beg each and every Indian to put pressure on the Govt. to keep the Security agencies and Police out of their dirty politics. things could be much better then.
Further, I am being a Hindu, I request all the brothers and sisters not to look at other people of any religion with suspicion or hatredness. They are also Indians, but if any individual, whether he is a Hindu, Muslim, Christian or any other religion for providing even the logistics services, there is no place for them in India. Remove and eradicate them from our society, because they are a big cancer.
The final thing, the terrorists wanted to create maximum damage and fear psycho, which they have achieved. Let us not fall in to their trap. Keep up our brave face and put the things aside actively to work on it so that anything related will not happen again and proceed with building India one of the strongest nation in this century.
In conclusion, we must appreciate and compliment the determination, will power and the zest for objective shown by the hardcore and well trained terrorists in the last 3 days - Hats off for that because if we have atleast 1% of such persons in our population, we have achieved our objective of making the strongest India.
Jai Hind - we love our country and let us still say positively and bravely that we are Indians, no matter what is happening around us and we should be proud of Indians. For centuries we have faced various situations in different form and this is also one of them.
I can understand your plight, your imbalancing attitude is outcome of these regular attacks and more painfull are the attitude of politician who have become a liablity to our country, But do not forget this mother india had given us Bhagat Singh, Chandershekhar and many more inspiring Desh Bhakt, Now is the time we look at these statesman rather than feel proud to elect one crook from the bundle of crooks, Taj incident have revoked the soul of Indians, we will fight back with these terrorist but to begin with we have to start with our own enemies who are within our country and accupy the high post.
It is understandable your emotions on the matter, but do not loose the hope. We should have pride being bharatians. See what happened when US burns everyone screeming here and there but we have our own moral values and courage. Had it happened in any other nation the militants would have been massacred. But in India present rulers are appeasing terrorism and adding fuel fire all english electronic media are psychophants to the rulers. Please dont loose hope and throw these words. You can be ashamed of being humen being including all of us but not Bharatian.
Yes, it sucks in many ways. And you have pointed our some good points to that effect.
But what realled effed me off was your comment on Unity and that effing title. If you want a homogeneous country then simply you are living in a wrong country. Period. This is a place where diversity is cherished. Period.
You must have been smoking crack to even think up such macabre title.
Our dear 'anonymous' posts that he is proud but he/she is afraid(?) of naming themselves. Isn't that worse than Rajesh just did ?
Regards,
Brijesh
Say it loud I am Indian, I am Proud.
Ps: Dude you are pursuing your MBA and I am sure you are not the kind to come and work in Indian rural areas. So, stop whining and pontificating. Look at your Microsoft/IBM placements. You are no 'Narayan Murthy' to start a revolution in India.
Ps: Next time you post - try editing.
and u can demand anything u want but at the end of the day the question remains what r you willing to do for your nation...
you want the nation to change just because you pay taxes...
sounds good so according to you the NSG commandoes should sacrifice their lives for your security coz you pay taxes.
bro u know what u say all this coz you are purely lucky to be born in atleast a average middle class family and you have all the time and money in the world to crib about these things and boast that you pay taxes and all that crap...(if you wud have been born in any rurual area u wold not even have time to think about all this)
Brother they do it coz they know that every small action is step towards a bright future, u might not be able to change the whole of india but atleast you can take small steps to change the surroundings around you,
who stops you from teaching the poor people of your locality,
who stops you from forming a local community which would monitor notourious activities in that locality, who stops you for educating others that a specific leader is corrupt or wrong and we chould not vote against him (with reasons obviously) I guess no one...
but u wont do all these things cause no one will pay you anything for it you want to work 8 hours in a multinational earn a fat paycheck and you want the Police guy to slog day and night for your protection for a very meager amount...
boss its easy to criticize sitting on the sidelines anyone can do that, anyone can say we want change...
the difficult part is to
BE THAT CHANGE
Regards
Deepak Garera
Proud to be an Indian
Tell me a country in this world without problems. Even US faced Sept 11 attack, they face racisim but still they feel proud to be American. This is the time when our country needs us more than ne thing and at this moment ur busy finding a reason to calll urself an Indian or proud to be an India. Give more and expect Less. U give now and years down the line system will improve for the generations coming next. That's what Gandhiji, subhashchandra bose, Bhagat Singh ... did and now we are enjoying Freedom of their efforts. Tey never expected to enjoy the results of their toil they just did it selflessly for the Nation.
Tell me a country in this world without problems. Even US faced Sept 11 attack, they face racisim but still they feel proud to be American. This is the time when our country needs us more than ne thing and at this moment ur busy finding a reason to call urself an Indian or proud to be an Indian. Give more and expect Less. U give now and years down the line system will improve for the generations coming next. That's what Gandhiji, Subhashchandra bose, Bhagat Singh ... did and now we are enjoying Freedom of their efforts. They never expected to enjoy the results of their toil they just did it selflessly for the Nation.
While I understand your emotions, I am sorry to say 'I am ashamed of Indians like you'
A nation is made by people like you and me. Just as someone said, "Be the Change what we want to see in India"
It is very easy to sit in our arm chairs and criticize. I also understand that our politicians are the 'scum of the earth'. Ashamed of politicians - yes, but ashamed of India - NO.
People like you will say 'It is better to be under British rule' - so what if it is not democracy. Just as people say, Kashmir has so many problems - give Kashmir away.
This is in a simple sentence, called 'Running away from problems'
Cheers
Proud to be an Indian
Srikanth
Very well put. Now we need to do somthing about it. Our indianess lies in our bhartiya saunscruty. Even after independence we have not let it emerge. We have had 1000 years of forigen rule (except a brief maratha-sikh history) telling us we are no good. We require to revive our bhartiya sanscruty, to feel proud of what we are.
If we look back to Chanakya and look for insperation to run our country- we may find that our greatness, and sence of pride lies in our indianess.
- Have you stopped gettin benefitting from things / acts which you are not entitled to?
- Have you stopped bribing babus?
- Dont you dirty the enviornment?
- Have you ever thought of getting into politics?
It is easier to say that politicians are bad etc but no one has ever dared into the politics and has tried to change things... we have to bring the change and we cant takeout our frustration by just writing on the blogs or condemning politicians, country etc or while chatting with our friends...
JAGO DOSTO JAGO.... Apna hak mango... Apna vote do.... Question government... unless you do it no one will do it for you....
How safe are the other countries? Does it happen only in India? How much are we as citizens contributing to the security other than the payment of taxes? Should we be ashamed? Isnt it that we should help our country in setting it right as youth of the country? How many really want to join the defence forces compared to a job in a private organisation?
If we Indians, diversify with our thoughts this way, instead of being united to find a solution, we will surely stand where we are and not move ahead. We need to learn from the mistakes created, ensure that we protect our country and unite at this time when we have paid with so many lives.
Guys, wake up, be proud to be called Indians, and ensure that we move to a path where we are united to fight terrorism rather than saying that we are ashamed and move away from our country.
Jai Hind!!!!
Be there.
3rd December at 1800 hrs at Gate Way of India.
Venkat
9920164672
If somebody says that only marathis should stay in maharshtra why should we support such an idea. Everybody says that i am indian but when goes into the polling both he/she(but not everybody) votes for a party that belongs to his/her caste or language etc. Now can you see where the problem is?. Change should come from within rajesh, I would like you to read the below given artilces,
http://www.hindu.com/mag/2008/11/30/stories/2008113050070300.htm
http://www.hindu.com/mag/2008/11/30/stories/2008113050060300.htm
http://www.hindu.com/mag/2008/11/30/stories/2008113050120400.htm
These three articles are really amazing because they show our country in three different dimensions. You are saying for tax you pay you are not getting electricity, water and road, But Mr. Shyamlal in Orissa asked only for the life his baby child, we as a society din't care about this man. In the article Toilet Revolution we can understand how an individual can bring change, yes i am talking about Navin Jindal, we should support young people like Navin Jindal to continue with his good work. When Navin Jindal saw Bishangarh in Haryana’s Kurukshetra district he din't say that "oh shit there is no toilets here, i am ashamed of this country even after sixty years they coudn't build public toilets atleast", but he thought "can i build one". Now thats what i say attitude. The third article give us a rough picture of how our future generation is getting corrupted how parents seed the thought of hatered in young minds. That sends us a message of what we should not do as citizens of India. Now tell me Rajesh, are you going to blame only the politician alone for whatever is happenning in India. The word "we" is very powerful Rajesh, so lets stand together and say no to religion if it is going to make me kill my neighbor, say no to caste if it is going to draw boundries between you and me. Lets be united only in the name of our nation, Lets be Indians.
regards,
Robin
http://www.hindu.com/mag/2008/11/30
/stories/2008113050070300.htm
http://www.hindu.com/mag/2008/11/30
/stories/2008113050060300.htm
http://www.hindu.com/mag/2008/11/30
/stories/2008113050120400.htm
Dont waste your precious time thinking how it can be solved.