Patriotism... Dunno???
But definitely Nationalistic...
This evening while I was in a book store
deciding what piece of writing should I pick, the cover page of a magazine
really caught my eye. The cover page said, "The Best Country in the World is..."
and when I read this, a zillion of hopes arose in mind wishing that it was none
other than India. The magazine that I am referring to was "Newsweek Magazine",
the edition dated August 23 & 30, 2010. They claimed that it was the first
time they were doing such a survey and they had rated the top 100 countries in
the world. All my wishes were to see my motherland shining right on the top
spot. No doubt that I was doubtful about it, that's why I decided to scan the
list of the top 20. But to put in the simplest of words, I didn't find a
mention anywhere there which was definitely something that I felt bad about. To
feed my curiosity, I did go through the next 20 and then the subsequent 20, but
unfortunately, I did not find India anywhere. (I also think that the use of
word "unfortunate" doesn't sync in well with my thoughts, but can't think of a
better one now). The country appeared somewhere at the 78th spot way behind
Slovakia, Thailand, China and even Egypt, not to forget to mention the likes of
UK and US which were leading the list. This only fills me with cynicism.
This only got me to actually wait, sit
down and give it a thought if we are actually left so far behind and moving on
the not so correct lines; if we should actually work and alter our strategies
to change them into the ones which are kind of good for my fellow countrymen
and for the development of the country as a whole. What I am trying to say is
not that we are not developing, and not moving forward at all, but we are doing
so at a very small pace. Agreed that we are the 2nd quickest growing economy in
the world, but it is only us who lag behind in the Human Welfare Index and the
Corruption Index. I am also not being over optimistic and expecting an
overnight transition of the country and it overtaking other nations to displace
Finland from the top notch, all I am trying to put forward is a thought
whereby, we can change not only our attitude but also influence that of the
others around us for the better. Only working on one's own attitude would help
but won't accelerate the growth to the desired level. Just to state the
obvious, in an analogy. All of us must have come across the saying - When in
Rome, do as the Romans do! And also am I cent percent sure that irrespective of
the fact that others follow it or not, we Indians have definitely taken it a
bit too seriously and obey it as religiously as we follow our Cricket. And I am
surely not saying that it is for bad. Now, there are two ways of looking at it,
just like there are two sides to every coin, in a similar fashion, there is
something good and bad about it. Good - People which definitely and surely
includes Indians show signs of civility at least when they visit other
countries. And to highlight the other side of it, something which I have gained
proficiency in over the last few days - We just can't mend our ways! Why do we
have to wait to be told or taken to a different environment altogether to do
something that is appreciable? To say it in one of my teacher's words - An
Indian who would be spotted littering the roads in his nation would start
throwing the garbage in the litter bins when moved to another country of the
likes of the US. Now, you can again look at this in two ways -
1.
Indian finally mending his ways..!! Achievement!!
2.
Why only after going to US? Why not in India?? Littering on
the roads.
So, I think the point that she was
trying to make was that it is all in your mind. We can do anything we want,
achieve any goals and overcome any obstacles but that is only if we want to do
it. One point that I want to reiterate at this point is that as you all might
have come to think that I don't love my country and I keep cursing the fact
that I am born an Indian. But trust me that am surely not the case. I am very
proud of being born in India and it is just that I am hell bent on improving it
and yes regain the lost status and pride.
Trying to do my bit...
Wishing you the Best of Health and
Spirits
Amity
Institute of Biotechnology