FACE OF INDIA

Happy Independence Day.

On this eve of 61st anniversary of our nation’s freedom, I wanted to share A Thought / A Message / A Request / A Resolution with you. When I had been in school, learning history of our freedom struggle, I used to think that had I been born in those days, I would have also participated in the national movement. I also used to think that the nation has attained its glory and what all to be done is only enjoy it. Poverty had not bothered me as much as the corrupt politicians. Illiteracy had not bothered me as much as the philosophical arguments. Above all, our inability to raise and win as a society was not even in vicinity.

Now, two decades after passing from the school, life had exposed me to so many experiences, my perspectives are ever changing. It had become thing of past that I thought of a certain sect of people who are responsible for the everlasting misery of our society. I look at myself on each and every activity how I am contributing to the misery. When I realize that there are strong influential causes from who has the money and power in the society for our social debacle, also are present equally influential – the ridiculous nature of our society. A society can only be as ridicule as its members.

On the walk of everyday life, I see/feel/reckon/realize/visualize how life can be better for each one of us. Starting from looking at the “pan stain” in the lift (as a matter of fact, I live in a well-maintained private city where every day the lifts are cleaned inside-out in each building) to indifferent attitude of people in public places. Who is to be blamed ? Can we put all the chaos of the society on the shoulders on “administration” and “politicians” ? And we can sit cool and say “in my country that is how it is”.

While this country is emerging as a economical power in the global market, while this country is making its presence in supremacy of science and technology, while this country is generating more than sporadic entrepreneurs, management professionals, medicos, artists , writers etc, while this country is suddenly becoming the focus of the world, would things happen to eradicate the regress state of the society ? Partly yes. But a very small part. Not more than a million. Were the current economic growth to remove all the problems of society, it could have very well happened at the early years of independence as well.

I realize that unless the individual will not relate himself/herself to the society, the society can never progress. Society can be led by a few individuals but can never be a reflection of those few leaders. Each and every unit of the society has to go through the transformation to take its next generation forward. As responsible citizens of this nation, many of us realize what India has to do to bring a new face to its society. Seldom we realize that it is us "Who are India".

On this, I initiate the movement “Face of India”. The movement is a self-initiation point by every individual of this country. To participate in this movement, one need to vow to himself an oath. An oath, that may be big or small. But an oath he/she will keep for life. A sample oath is as follows
- “I am the FACE OF INDIA. I will never spit in a public place”.
- “I am the FACE OF INDIA. I will not horn in a school neighborhood (of course I will go slow as well!!).”
- “I am the FACE OF INDIA. I will respect government servant.”
- “I am the FACE OF INDIA. I will keep my house surrounding clean.”
- “I am the FACE OF INDIA. I will cast my vote in all elections.”
- "I am the FACE OF INDIA. I will drive abiding by traffic rules by letter and sprit"
- "I am the FACE OF INDIA. I will wait for my turn honestly wherever required"
- "I am the FACE OF INDIA. I will conduct myself socially responsible in all public places"
- “I am the FACE OF INDIA. I will help to spread literacy.”
- "I am the FACE OF INDIA. I will pay all taxes as they are due."
- "I am the FACE OF INDIA. I will buy things only with bill."
- "I am the FACE OF INDIA. I will not take bribe."
- "I am the FACE OF INDIA. I will not bribe for my favour"

The oath is according to individual’s priority, will and relevance. The sprit behind the oath is not correcting others/system. It is more into what I can do within my control to make the situation better. There are a billion faces. I am sure, even one simple oath is good enough for person to set the right direction for the society he/she is part of.

If you want to express your oath, feel free to do so as a comment to this BLOG.

I AM NOT A "PATRIOT"

Somehow, I find that Indians have developed a sense of "pleasure" in portraying oneself as "patriot". I have not chosen the word "portraying" instead of "being" unwittingly.

The advertisements talk about patriotism. Sports persons are talking about patriotism. Professionals are talking about patriotism. Individuals are talking about patriotism. And lastly, politicians are talking about patriotism altogether in a different scale.

As usual, I am trying to get to the bottom of the "patriotism". In one of the debates with my friends, a challenging point was raised. Is "patriotism" defined by geographical boundary ? To elaborate, if I support "India" - what is the definition of India? Is the current political map ? What happens if the political map of the nation changes - regardless if it expands or shrinks ? Do I change my "attitude" towards the "changed" boundary ? For example, let us say that there is a river dispute between Bangladesh and India. Currently it is an international issue. Suppose, Bangladedsh is merged into Indian political map - then it becomes national issue. What are the resolution options that will merge - and how does it impact the definition of "patriotism" ?

I presented the above only as a perspective. Let us put aside the whole argument above as "hypothetical" (not truly, as the situation can happen in a similar way if an Indian would immigrate to a foriegn land - should he be patriotic to "homeland" or "foreignland") because that was not the main point I wanted to share in this writing.

The advertisements - should they not sell their products by demonstrating their quality of the product ? Why should there be an attempt to portray a picture that the patriots use their product ? I am referring to a bike-ad in which a young engineer prefers to stay in India to work abroad, demonstrating his "patriotism". The other ad is to create "healthy" India by using their Soap!!!!

The sports persons/organization - Till date, I have not understood the relationship between the BCCI and India. The rules and regulations of BCCI are not restricted (or obligated to abide by) by Indian Law - the way I understand it. Basically, I could never understand why a team selected by BCCI is "called" national team. Not only that BCCI is not a government body but also that it is not affiliated to Indian Government in anyway - to the best of my limited knowledge on the subject. Quoting the statement of BCCI Counsel in Supreme Court - from a old news article : "If India plays England, it is a match played by the official team of the BCCI and not the official team of India. India as a country was not represented at the International Cricket Council (ICC) and that the Board uses its own flag ". I do not know the subsequent developments on the subject, however, this much I remember that Sachin Tendulkar removed the national flag from his Helmet at certain point of time while playing for "India". Probably, given the "impression" created from the past, the billion people believe that the cricket team they watch is "Indian National Cricket Team" and even worse, supporting their national cricket team is the best and probably the only way of showing patriotism. The next possible organization to the list is "Force India" formula 1 racing team. In my opinion, the title of the team is coined in such a way to hide the private ownership of the team by an individual but to popularize the brand, which is the major objective of the formation of the team.

The professionals - Barring select individual scientists, doctors, teachers, technocrats, management professionals, majority of the professionals take a lot of pride(read money) in working for MNC (does not matter - if in India or Abroad) than working on a mission critical government projects. The tall claim they make on their patriotism is "paying high amount of income-tax" if they work in India and "remitting US dollars to India" if they work abroad. It is pretty apparent that both are not by choice.

The individuals - For a common man, patriotism is to respect national flag, to celebrate Aug-15/Jan-26 - by being either in the viewing gallery of the parade in the stadium or at home through TV, watching "India" Cricket match and supporting/debating an Indian Win, raise/donate funds for army personnel (God only knows the authenticity and accounting of the donation collectors).

The politicians - Less is required to be said. I would be pleasantly surprised if any Indian citizen would consider any of the current leaders as "patriotic". I have not come across anyone feeling about any leader so far in my life yet.

With all above, it is clearly evident that though not serving to the country the ordinary man salutes the national flag with utmost respect, the "intelligent" section evades the responsibility they can own upto, the "glamourous" parasites use patriotism for amassing individul wealth, the "business magnets" use the name of the nation for increasing their revenue streams, the politicians use it as "means" of living (the article being stolen is the means of living for the thief - isn't it ?).

The first question remains to be answered is already done so in the title. By the very essence of the article, I am not a patriot - given that I am a professional working in a MNC!!!

The next question - if at all it comes - does not have to be answered in this writing. The question is - "so, what should I do if I have to be patriot and not just portray like a one ?". The answer is not as important as the question because the question will direct the actions that will answer the question.

Jai Ho!!! Oops...I missed a point, probably a few, .....mmm...... probably not!!!!

Jai Hind.