You don't have to be patriotic to understand India

India is a dichotomy, if I can put it that way. It is a land of contrasts. It gives you opportunities; it also robs you of opportunities. It has people dying of starvation; it also has people who throw millions on food and sending most of it sent to waste bins. When I look at India emotionally I am hit by anguish. When this becomes the way of life I either get alienated or overly critical.

We are in a materialistic world. Most of the people want to dominate their way into things, be it individuals, groups, societies or nations. You can’t escape this fact nor can you afford to be lax. It's all right and sounds great to talk about unifying people and fighting for the cause the great humanity. But then to walk the talk you must have strong legs.

We need to develop and grow. These are two different things. I am a strong critic of growth oriented policies when the economic development is in shambles. But then development cannot take place in the absence of growth. This is the situation that most of the developing economies will find themselves in. They got to strike a balance between development and growth for without development growth cannot be sustained.

When our children die of malnutrition, we send rockets to space, play commonwealth games and fete medalists with millions. That’s contradiction but inevitable for development cannot take place without growth. Our space research and exploration is now yielding return in dollars and is expected to grow well. Games bring lot of dollars through global sponsors, tourism and boost in local trade. When you lay foundations, for example 1982 Asian games, you incur loss. Take a shipping company or a mining company where investments are poured in for years and years before they see their money coming back. Not all investments make money on day 1.

We talk about problems. In fact no other citizen can match an Indian when it comes to highlighting the problems of one’s country. There is no denial here, nor one is blind folded. I see problems and I accept most of them are deep rooted. But then in what way any of these problems can be set right by abandoning space exploration or for that matter by not celebrating an achievement like Chandrayaan? India’s problems are more to do with men than materials. Not that India lack resources, it lacks good polity. India’s problems are structural and systemic. Money alone cannot solve these problems. India is not short of money or resources but short on moral grounds and that it is not just restricted to politicians.

Let us not allow emotions to blind our reason. Let us not allow media to dictate our reason. Let’s us not piggyback on India’s problems for that would mean we will never get down on the ground to solve them. Let’s understand our problems and also understand our challenges. Let us not allow under achievements rob our joy of achievements. Let us praise and criticize. Let us understand India, the land of contradictions.

To understand India you don’t have to be patriotic. In fact less patriotic you are better it will be as your emotions won’t blind you

On the topic of what is a third world, Soulberry has written an excellent piece on it. I will remove the survey on what is a third world tomorrow morning, as there is no point in trying to mock or match some one who do not know what it is. In fact even I didn't know what it is? Please take the link to read SB's article at TCWJ.