Vinod2070

This is a continuation from my previous blog post at: http://www.defenceforum.in/forum/blo...ht-future.html

Let's explore the changing face of India in other areas.

1. Politics: Now everyone knows that India has some of the worst politicians around, yet the politics of the country has changed for the better. Allow me to explain.
   • Not too long back you had massive poll rigging. The advent of Mr. T N Sheshan and EVMs has put an end to that.
   • The entry of 24 hours news channels has put a serious limits on what the politicians can get away with. So while their quality has nor necessarily improved, their ability to shamelessly indulge in bad practices and getting away with it has drastically come down. Now it is very difficult for an A R Antulay (and he is just an example) to take bribe via cheque and get away with it!
   • The people are finally getting away from the "identity politics" and getting down to the brasstacks. They want Roti, Bijali and Makaan, not empty hateful rhetoric against other sections of society. So, Laloo and company, tough luck. Even LalooJi of the "Yeh IT YT kya hai" fame has to now talk of his administrative abilities as a Railway minister.

1. Society: The mindset of the society is undergoing a massive change as they see what is possible all around them. The media explosion of the 90s and the economic boom can be credited for much of that. The Socialist India of the 80s and before was a hypocritical, self-righteous India. One of the most corrupt countries in he world, unable to look up and see the possibilities, low on self-confidence,bound in chains by the political and bureaucratic class that told him that India is the shining example of morality in the world when we were considered as no more than a basket case by therest of the world.

In fact, some "experts" even suggested that India be left to die of hunger as it was unviable, so much was our need for food aid before the "Green Revolution", again made possible by Western Scientists and the enterprising farmers of the Punjab. The new India is less ideological and more enterprising. It knows what is possible and is yearning to achieve the impossible. We have seen what Indians have been able to achieve when thy have gone out of the shackling shores of home and we are not satisfied with the status quo.

4.Communal situation: If there is one thing that can keep India still down, it is the communal tinderbox. Thankfully, in spite of the occasional flare, the communal situation is far better than a few decades back. The Hindu-Muslim spat is old and has a painful history, yet we are the same people, have the same ancestry and the same future. We share much more than what divides us and that realization is dawning on Indians. We no longer have those annual riots, the politicians too have mostly realized that communal polarization will not work and is bad for the country in the long run. This is what gives me the greatest hope.
An India that gives genuine equal opportunities to all Indians irrespective of birth will be an India that is a shining light not only in the region but in the world. I personally know that there are people who are waiting for India to take that role. We are doing ourselves and those people a grave injustice by not stepping up.

It took a lot to keep India down for so long. That is not where India belonged and that is not where we will be.
We just needed to unshackle ourselves and India will again achieve what is rightfully our place. The process is on motion. We have still far too many problems, far too many obstacles and far too many internal divisions to overcome but I have no doubt that our hour has come.
Jai Hind. :india: