Saare Jahaan Se Achchha – Hindustan Hamara?

I began my career when slogans of “India Shining” and “Rising India” filled the streets everywhere, when every ad, whether in the TV or the newspapers, saw India emerge as an IT superpower, being second to only the U.S. But now, 8 years down the line, or technically speaking 9, I do not see any remarkable change, as what had been envisioned. Our I.T. sector is still just a major service providing industry, which can be easily rocked by incidents like the Satyam and Lehmann Brothers case. The economic boom proposed was not meant to be only in I.T., but also in other sectors like Agriculture, Industry and economy, in general. Yes, we have done well in the Agriculture side, though we are far from “Shining”.

Through these 9 years, however, one thing has remained unchanged – the habit of us bickering that nothing is changing; there are so many problems in this country and still no one is doing anything about it. I only ask – whom are they, or in fact, we, waiting for to do something? Aren’t we ourselves a part of the task force that should be working hard towards making India really shine?

And I admit that like all of us, I too am at fault. But, what to do, the System is only like that. Isn’t this the reason most of us would give? How many of us would be willing to walk instead of agreeing to the self-styled rates of the auto-drivers not even bothering to put the meter down? Why should we complain anyway; and, to whom? Because, we are sure that the policeman we approach will be corrupt. So, since I feel that way, without even giving them a chance I pass a decree that no policeman can ever be honest. Anyways, who is free enough to fight for these extra 10 – 20 Rupees? Hardly matters. If this continues for the whole month, it comes to about Rs. 600 extra. And just about, Rs. 7,200 extra for the year. Still, hardly matters?

I think so. As I have hardly seen any auto running on metered basis. Then, why bother saving the 1-2 Rupees daily, by not buying tickets, as the T.C. won’t be around to verify. But, for them, that too hardly matters. Maybe because they don’t realize the huge amount of black money being created in this process, which is anyway being blown away, with the fumes of the unending cars – poof! 4 cars per family is a common phenomenon almost everywhere. Each child rides in a car, unnecessarily though, almost throughout the day. I don’t question their spending capacity, nor do I want to limit their wastage, as that is their parents’ concern, but why should Dubai build an entire city with the money earned by just selling Petrol to us? As if, the 80% working force of Indians was not enough for them, which largely includes menial labour and junior staff. Do these car-riding teenagers ever wonder how far they are from when they would become economic slaves to Dubai? Just imagine the kind of damage caused by these constantly-running, A.C. fitted cars, polluting the already eroded ecosystem further.

We, the middle-class are feeling these problems daily, but who has the courage to go to the System and ask for its realignment? After all, it is supposed to be a Government Of, For and By the People, but can it be so, if we neglect our duty of voting saying that “What’s the use, nothing’s going to change”. Actually, this is what happens, as none of us votes, nothing changes. Those who go to vote are only those who have been brain-washed for a few days, given some temporary greed like money or food, and the party that reaches farther comes to rule.

Rule, did I say? But, as far as I knew, a democracy was meant to be governed, by a group of leaders elected by the people. This doubt may not have crossed many minds, that why the party at the helm of the country is called the Ruling party? That’s only because we have ceded our votes to them, as we do not want to miss the live India-Australia match or would prefer to watch the latest Shahrukh flick with his lady love, in a cozy space in the hall, rather than fulfill that boring duty of choosing a leader to govern the nation, and prefer to be ruled, as always.

Then, why didn’t we continue under the British rule? After all, at that time, our economy was in a better state and so was the Law, Order and coordination. No offence meant to anyone and my grievances with those affected by it but I feel that the British, by causing the Partition to happen have at least given the politicians on either side one strong point to base their election propaganda on, otherwise winning votes for them would be next to impossible, in an undivided India, as I do not see them having any thoughts for the country’s future.

They too, like the common man, are busy making arrangements to see their family is fine, their son’s degree and job in the U.S are secure and their daughter’s marriage is fixed with a Green Card holder, so that they all can live in peace forever. In between, just before the elections, he needs to take out maybe 1-2% of his earnings to buy the votes, as he also knows that none of us would be going to vote. Who has that much interest and the free time to go and stand in the queue, waiting for the black ink mark on the index finger. And who cares – I don’t bother about my future, why should I bother about the future of the nation?

It’s high time we woke up and realized this huge responsibility, of reconstructing India, of regaining the lost economic status for India, not of complaining about bad roads, power cuts, increasing prices, job cutting, bad government, increasing corruption, eroding values and economic slavery, but of joining hands to try and solve all these problems. You will surely feel what can I do, but “Every Drop Makes An Ocean”. And once we are strong as an ocean, no problem would be big for us. Just the intent is required, the way would come automatically.

I am sorry if I took up a lot of your quality time, but it is not for myself that I ask you to think, but for the future of the India we would become old in, and in which our children would be left struggling, job-less, fund-less and maybe even starving, if we do not act today. I trust none of us wants that future for us. So, let’s pledge to join hands and make India Shining a reality. “Jai Hind”.