What is it in many Indians that makes us so keen on criticizing our own country so much? Why do we feel so great when we get to extoll the vices of our bureaucracy, our police, our cricket teams, our politicians, our education system, our poverty.. ? No matter how good we do, no matter what's right, why are we always so happy when we find a wrong?
I met this guy the other day, when India was on the verge of demolishing the Bangaldeshis in the first test, and he remarks, "kya khel rahe hai yaar...", and when I reminded him we were winning easily, he says "well, but that guy hit a century right, anyone can hit centuries against us, people we have not even heard about earlier!". What do I say to that? We are #1 in test cricket, we are #2 in ODIs, and we were World T20 champs last year, and yet, we still have people ready to stamp us down!
Is it the Indian DNA, developed and refined by years of slavery under the British, that makes us happy to be the under dogs, the have nots, representative of every thing that is wrong and undesirable? Are we so uncomfortable being world leaders?
4 comments:
India is a wounded civilization, lacks a clear understanading of itself and its own vision to where it is going.
While we celebrate the success of IT industry we must note that none of the planning commissions report ever planned for it. Everything that government planned for including Hockey is in ruins. we have no clue about what nation is going to achieve in next 20 years. The claim of superpower is as hollow as Rakhi Sawant's head.
When you have a ship full of people and no one know where the ship is going, its very likely that most passengers will be full of cynicism and skepticism. Just the way Christianity tried to figure out reasons for suffering and concluded that we human beings are sinners by default and deserve the suffering, we Indians have continued to look at life with cynical attitude.
Good point you make there. But 300 years of slavery was never going to be easily removed from our mindset.
Amazingly though the free thought process has evolved rapidly over the past decade.Our previously meek countrymen are now able to look eye to eye and give the other guy a piece of their mind. Whether it is sledging on the cricket field, buying or merging foreign companies or the ever increasing development in the manufacturing sector.
It will take time for the genes to adapt, that feeling to sink in for us to be sure of our position and strength in this world.
That said, I would never approve of a cocky attitude.
Akshar, I am not sure just picking on the planning commission is going to make a point. Neither is this about what the government is doing right or wrong.
But let's stick to IT for now. Both me and my CEO studied at an IIT, got world class education, and paid a pittance - I spend more today on a dinner date than I ever paid the GOI on fees! I am sure the govt gets credit for our IITs. And the other hundreds of thousands of students who passed out from hundreds of colleges, funded and aided by the govt, or "deemed" as independent univs.
The govt may have screwed up on Hockey, but this same government did a great job hosting the CYG in Pune, and winning India top spot. When hockey fails, we blame the govt. When cricket shines, we accuse players of making too much money. When Sania fails, we blame her fiance. When Saina and Rathore succeed, we ignore it.
And what government are we talking about? We are a democracy, and we should be proud that every single change of government so far has been through ballot, not a gun.
Ray, I agree :)
It's amazing what the new, aggressive India has been doing, and I am proud I am very much a part of this generation!
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