Changing India – II
Posted on 26. Aug, 2010 by Ajay Goyal in All Write
My article To End Indian Bureaucracy was met with the usual cycle of denial and shrugging shoulders from numerous Indian friends. There is seething anger in every section of society at the state of affairs. It is manifesting itself as a Maoist Naxal insurgency in 220 districts of India. They have killed more than 200 para forces this year alone. In Kashmir youth are running pitched battles with police and paramilitary for weeks. In Uttar Pradesh farmers are burning buses and construction equipment and fighting pitched battles with armed police. Each day sees some form of violent protest over demands of a caste or regional group.
Indians are turning more tribal and primitive as they confront challenges of 21st century.
India’s highly educated and well off middle class which should form the avantgaurd of change is in fact its worst enemy. Those handful that have broken through the poverty of India to ranks of middle class cling on to what little they have and protect the system of favours and exclusions so millions others outside cannot make it in. Truth is there is too little room in India for all Indians. Nothing threatens a middle class Indian as another Indian with merit.
Middle class India is in denial about the state of country. Instead of being agents of change, they are fighting the hardest for status quo. They, the middle class and young Indians, more than any other section of society have put their faith in demagogues of Indian politics. And they are the most inert – barely taking the time to vote, leave aside any active participation in Indian democracy. They expect the democracy to delivery without participation. They expect to have all the advantages without collective bargaining. They place their faith in lies and expect to be delivered the truth.
India however, has never been more ready for change. I only hope and pray that the change does not come through violence, bloodshed and revolution. For India to change, Indian educated youth and middle class must take charge and be the agents of change. What must they do? Perhaps start with ten simple steps:
1. Open your eyes and do not be in denial: Middle class Indians no longer notice the poverty, squalor and hunger that is omnipresent in India. We must start noticing it. We should not turn away.
2. End the culture of lies and be humble: Middle class India often joins in the chorus of “India Superpower”, “India Inc.”, “Indians Are Coming,” ” Empire Strikes Back.” We are a country in deep trouble. This nation is sliding back into dark ages. Human condition, health, security, dignity and plain subsistence are under attack. Let us stop telling lies to ourselves. Let us embrace the truth of what is.
3. Let us focus on where we can be, not where are: The oft repeated excuse from Indian leadership and bureaucracy is ” look how far we have come.” The truth is we have not come far at all. Instead of back slapping and self congratulation we must set ambitious targets for our community, city, state and nation. We must be ambitious about where we can go, what we can be. India and Indians are capable of achieving much. We have tremendous natural gifts. We are a hard working people. Prosperity, great wealth, secure, healthy, clean conditions and a perfectly functioning democracy is easy to achieve and reach. But not before we stop telling the lies and really aim for this India in our hearts and souls.
4. Be Civil to the poor guy: There is rising anger among middle class against immigrants from other states, poor people, construction workers, beggars, auto-rickshaw drivers, cart pullers, vegetable vendors and in general poorest of the poor. It is important that shed this attitude immediately. We are nothing if not a kind people. Kindness, generosity, humility are Indian virtues. Let us adopt a kinder, gentler tone towards the poor. Let us try and smile at them if we cannot do much else. But a small act of kindness and generosity towards the poorest who suffer the most will go a long way in creating a better society.
5. Stop Groveling in front of corrupt politicians and bureaucrats : The sycophancy and ass-licking Indian middle class is an embarrassment. Highly educated and accomplished Indians do not hesitate to bend over backwards in front of mean and powerful. Let us stop ass-licking of corrupt bureaucrats. They can keep their money but let them feel the loneliness of corruption. Do we really need to lick when we spit? Paying these bureaucrats a bribe is also equal to spitting at them. To then try and befriend them is like licking our spit off of a pig. There will be a time these corrupt bureaucrats will go to prison and face toughest punishment. Till then, the middle class and educated Indians must make them feel the loneliness of a prison cell within their golden cages built of dirty, stolen money.
6. Get Off Face Book: Hundreds of facebook groups and web sites were launched in India in the run-up to election in 2009. I myself launched a few. I soon realized that virtual action is cowardice. Facebook activism is an escape. Mahatma Gandhi did not earn freedom for India by writing letters to Editor. Nelson Mandela and thousands of Africans suffered in prison for decades so they could build a rainbow country. Civil rights activists in America were beaten, tortured, humiliated – they could not have taken their rights by sending telegrams to Washington. Physical courage in the face of oppression, corruption and thievery is essential if we want to survive. Would we not stand and fight if a thief entered our home? Would we instead protest on facebook? The thieves of Indian bureaucracy and politics are stealing from us. We need to stand and face them physically. Lobbing shoes at them is not the answer. We must demand our representatives come and visit us. And then instead of lobbing soft questions or shoes, ask them hard, solid questions and demand actions.
7. Dont’ Believe a Word They Say: Do not let them fool you. Sensational news, provocations, stoking of passions and shouting matches in Indian media are not revelations or truth. They are dirty business. Indian media colluded with the worst elements of society in 2009 elections. Newspapers and TV channels across the country benefited financially from corrupt candidates and parties. They have in effect subverted Indian democracy. Bedroom anger and SMS voting on issues is not real
