PERSPECTIVES

Lots of my friends had forwarded me a reader comment written by one V. Mitchell that was supposed to have appeared in New York Times sometime in May 2009 on the Indian elections held in that month. As a proud Indian, I felt it necessary to put the comment in my blog, for others to read and understand an outside perspective on India which was till very recently counted as a good for nothing land of snake charmers and elephants.

I quote:-

It is truly the greatest show on Earth, an ode to a diverse and democratic ethos, where 700 million + of humanity vote, providing their small part in directing their ancient civilization into the future. It is no less impressive when done in a neighborhood which includes de-stabilizing and violent Pakistan, China, and Burma.

Its challenges are immense, more so probably than anywhere else, particularly in development and fending off terrorism -- but considering these challenges and its neighbors, it is even more astounding that the most diverse nation on Earth, with hundreds of languages, all religions and cultures, is not only surviving, but thriving.The nation where Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism were born, which is the second largest Muslim nation on Earth; where Christianity has existed for 2000 years; where the oldest Jewish synagogues and Jewish communities have resided since the Romans burnt their 2nd temple; where the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile reside; where the Zoroastrians from Persia have thrived since being thrown out of their ancient homeland; where Armenians and Syrians and many others have to come live; which the Paris-based OECD said was the largest economy on Earth for 1500 of the last 2000 years, including the 2nd largest, only 200 years ago; where 3 Muslim Presidents have been elected, where a Sikh is Prime Minister and the head of the ruling party a Catholic Italian woman, where the President is also a woman, succeeding a Muslim President who as a rocket scientist is a hero of the nation; where a booming economy is lifting 40 million out of poverty each year and is expected to have the majority of its population in the middle class already, equal to the entire US population, by 2025; where its optimism and vibrancy is manifested in its movies, arts, economic growth, and voting, despite all the incredible challenges and hardships; where all the great powers are vying for influence, as it itself finds its place in the world.

Where all of this is happening, is India, and as greater than 1/10th of humanity gets ready to vote, it is an inspiration to the entire World.

Unquote

The comment in NYT is brisk and straight but it says everything about a civilization that had accepted and tolerated every culture of the world, welcomed warmly every guest (with or without good intention) to its fold, allowed new though processes to germinate and thrive without any fear and was truly rich, both materially and spiritually. To top it, it is a true democracy with the second largest population of the world. India is big, huge, clumsy, complex, contrasting….. you name it, it is all rolled into it. For such a country to exist for eons, with hundreds of its languages, culture, caste and creed, most of which are juxtaposing in nature, is indeed an unfathomable wonder.

Close to this comment is another forward that I had received from a friend. This is an anecdote on how one views things. I reproduce the same as below:

Quote:-

One day a rich businessman took his son to a trip to the country home of a peasant with the firm purpose to show him how poor people can be. They spent a dayand a night in the farm.

When they got back from their trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?"

"Very good Dad!" replied his son.

"Did you see how poor people can be?" the father asked.

"Yeah!" said the son.

"And what did you learn?"

The son answered, "I saw that we have a dog at home, and they have four. Wehave a pool that reaches to the middle of the garden; they have a creek thathas no end. We have imported lamps in the garden; they have the stars.Our patio reaches to the front yard, they have a whole horizon. And Thanks Dad, for showing me how poor we are!"

When the little boy finished, his father was speechless.

Unquote

As in the first case, it is also a perspective. One likes it because one feels that it was put forward so very well, with a tangential but empethetical understanding.

Aren’t we all poor in spite of the material richness around us and aren’t we all rich in spite of material poorness that we suffer?

Yes, it is all about the outlook. On how we view things!

However, the bottom line is not about being poor or rich. It is all about being happy, being peaceful and living in harmony with whatever we possess.

Strive for it, people………..