10 Things That Make Me Proud To Be Indian, 10 That Make Me Sad
90India, my wise friend wrote the other day, is a land of contrasts and contradictions. It is a land of peace and war, of love and hate and many other emotions. You can spend a lifetime and be none the wiser in trying to understand India’s vast complexities. This subject can therefore easily make a book. I will try and compress it into a few pages.
Love us or hate us, like us or leave us, the one thing anyone can ill-afford to do, is ignore us. Not when one in every six human beings is an Indian. Here are the ten things that make me proud to be Indian and ten that make me sad.
1. Living in a democratic country, chaotic though it may be
714 million Indians have just completed the process of electing a new government. That is the about same as if the entire populations of the US, Russia, Japan, Germany and the UK were to decide to go to the polls together. This will give some perspective to those readers who have never been to India and know little about this country.
It is a matter of great pride that no matter how chaotic this country, as Indians, we are free to kick our leaders out (or re-elect them) every five years, unlike authoritarian regimes which may show quicker progress but at much greater human cost. For me, the free tortoise wins over the dictatorial hare anytime and always.
Women at an election meeting
Connected to this is the fact that the other legs of a democracy – the judiciary, the media and the executive are relatively free and healthy. I use the word “relatively” seriously as there is no such thing as absolute freedom, even in the torchbearer of democracy, the US.
I think it is great to be part of the world’s largest democracy.
India has also survived a brief flirtation with dictatorship in the 1970’s when Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister. Mercifully, I might add.
2. An emerging global economic, scientific and technological superpower
It is evident to only a few just now. But make no mistake, India is headed towards superpower status. And it could happen sooner than most think. I would wager another 50 years at the most. It is already the fourth largest economy in the world in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP). PPP takes into account the standard of living and the cost of living of different countries and is considered more relevant than the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) which is just the sum of all goods and services produced in an economy.
India has a strong and growing middle class which is put variously at between 200 and 300 million. It also has a young population (median age 25 years) with needs to fill. Both factors point to good things to come. One must also keep in mind that the “middle class” as defined in India is qualitatively different from the “middle class” of the prosperous West.
In terms of scientific and technological achievement, India has contributed vastly to the growth of the Information Technology industry worldwide. From data processing, the Indian IT sector is moving up the value chain to software development and beyond. The distance between Silicon Valley and Bangalore is reducing.
India has one of the world’s largest pools of trained scientific manpower. It is also a significant player in the Pharmaceutical industry worldwide and ahead of many developed nations in space and missile technology. India is only the fifth nation behind Russia, the USA, Japan and China to launch a lunar mission.
3 A Diverse Environment
We are blessed with the best Nature has to offer. Mountains, beaches, deserts, forests, rivers, wildlife and birdlife, to name a few. You have to drive on the highest road in the world to realize the natural beauty and heart-in-your-mouth excitement that is on offer as you cross three mountain passes over 17,000 feet high. Or the joy of lazing in a houseboat in Srinagar or the backwaters of Kerala, while the aroma of fresh fried fish wafts over you and the beer sits nicely around your belly.
4. A culturally vibrant, diverse and hospitable people
To begin to understand India, one must understand its diversity. There are 22 official languages and over 1600 dialects spoken. Nearly 650 different recognised tribes reside across the country. Keeping this cultural diversity alive is part of the challenge ahead, especially given the ever-increasing lure of westernisation.
Travel around India and you will realize that language, dress, food, facial features – virtually everything, is excitingly different between regions. Most visitors to India would also agree that the people are hospitable and open their homes and hearts to foreigners quickly. Another great plus in my book.
Chicken Tikka Masala
5. Indian Cuisine
Ironically, most foreigners identify Indian cuisine with “curry”. Nothing could be more erroneous. With its original Aryan and Dravidian cultures, churned by the influence of visitors and invaders from Central Asia and Europe, food habits and cuisines have evolved over the centuries in India.
The end result is a variety of cuisines – some region-specific, others influenced by the availability of certain ingredients; and yet others evolving from religion-dictated Do’s and Don’ts. If you throw into the mix the exotic spices native to this land you get, arguably, the best food available in the world – tasty, inexpensive and (mostly!) healthy.
Tandoori meats and vegetables, Kashmiri wazwaan, Hyderabadi biryani, the delicate flavors of the Hilsa fish revered in Bengal, or the melt-in-your-mouth fish moilee (a favourite with natives of Kerala and the Konkan coast). All of these and more make for a Gourmand’s feast.
Food for the palate and the soul!!
And surely one must not forget that the British consider Chicken Tikka Masala to be their national dish!
6. The Indian Armed Forces
Among the finest institutions this country has produced are the Indian Armed Forces. When tinpot generals have anointed themselves as Presidents for life in various parts of the world, we can be proud of our Defence forces.
It is the world’s third largest standing army comprising over 1.1 million men in uniform. This institution is totally apolitical and professional in its approach. Its values are largely intact, though how long it can remain isolated from societal values in general, remains an open question. It is also a symbol of the secular nature of the country as people from all over come together to make this organization.
7. The Indian family unit still survives
Despite the many pressures of globalization and westernization, the Indian family unit still survives, especially in the rural areas. In the cities, families have become more nuclear with the younger ones moving out in search of a better life. It is not unusual for unmarried, earning young adults to stay with the parents. Conversely, parents are usually expected to stay with their children during their twilight years. Single parenting is still uncommon.
8. The intense desire for education
Everyone but everyone in India wants their progeny to have as good an education as they can afford. So whether it is a humble daily wage earner whose son is in a municipal school or a scion of the country’s rich and famous being educated at Harvard, the desire to provide the best education burns brightly. The fact that the value of education is recognised augurs well for India.
I am proud also of the education provided by the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and the Indian Institutes of Managements (IIMs) which can boast of standards equal to the best in the world at far less cost. Products of these institutions now head global organizations and play a major role in organizations like NASA. Indians are familiar as doctors and scientists in many developed countries.
9. The ability to accept one’s reality
The Indian reality is one of stark contrasts. Mercedes cars jostle for space alongside rickshaws. World-class homes nestle cheek-by-jowl with shanty towns. And yet it seems unlikely that India will ever experience a bloody revolution as seen elsewhere in the world.
There is something in the Indian ethos that makes a person accept his lot. He finds it easy to come to terms with reality even while he dreams of a better life for himself and his children. In a way it implies a helplessness to change our fate - very different to Western thought.
10. The Indian woman
She is the loving wife,and doting mother, the well-groomed, highly articulate super-juggler, balancing her home and professional life.
What makes me proud of the Indian woman is her great dignity, and her commitment to the institution of marriage and family.
Her natural grace, softness, body structure and skin tone make her an epitome of beauty.
Madhubala - my choice for the most beautiful woman in history
Ten Things That Make Me Sad
1. An indisciplined nation
I am convinced that Indians are indisciplined by nature. There is something about the Indian psyche that dislikes authority. Our responses are therefore often like those of a rebellious child. Even when it is something in our own interest. Take the case of using helmets while driving two-wheelers or seat belts while driving cars. The huge resistance to both these life-saving measures is unbelievable.
Take our road traffic. Anyone who has seen or driven on our roads knows what little respect people have for road rules. As some wise man wrote. India must be the only country in the world where the use of a red light at a traffic signal is optional! Unlike other countries, the horn is used as a means of informing other traffic of our presence on the road. This is substantiated by the signs behind many trucks which say “Horn Please” – in other words, tell me you are behind me so I can make way for you to overtake. But then again, was the horn invented for use or was it meant to be for show?
2. An increasingly intolerant nation and a people with little concern for the “other”
It shows in so many ways. From the big issues like the growth of fundamentalism (more on that later) to the little, little ways in which we show our lack of concern for people who are not like “us”. It is “they” who are responsible for every ill-fortune that befalls “us”.
The concept of an “India” still has to take firm root. We are Indians second. First come religious, caste or regional considerations.
Small examples make big points.
Notice how two Indians will invariably choose the middle of a corridor to stand and talk, thereby blocking the path for others. When boarding a bus to reach an aircraft, you will invariably find an educated, well-dressed person plonking himself right in the centre of the passageway, a big bag resting on the floor, ensuring that no other passenger can reach the vacant space inside. Reason? Just that he wants to be the first off the bus. Likewise when deplaning, passengers are up and away even before the aircraft has come to a halt. It does’nt matter that you will still end up waiting at the baggage queue.
3. Care for the environment and awareness of climate change issues
We care little for the environment. Invariably developmental issues take precedence. Recently there was a case of thirty Neem trees being cut in a mofussil town to make space for a shopping mall. These trees have nests of the endangered vulture. Was it necessary to choose that particular location?
The air we breathe especially in our cities is highly polluted. It took a wise person to make me aware that while we can stay away from polluted waters or dirty streets, we have little choice but to breathe the air around us.
Our rivers carry all manner of industrial waste and filth. If, as someone wrote, the health of a nation is known by the state of its rivers, we must be terribly ill.
Climate change is not something that is discussed on the cocktail circuit. Most people are more knowledgeable about the game of cricket.
4. The issue of corruption
Time was when the corrupt did not dare look anyone in the eye. Now it is the honest who avert their eyes in the glare of the wealth exuded by the corrupt. Indians probably have the largest deposits in Swiss banks. Ill-begotten, under-utilised. Very little in the government machinery moves without money changing hands.
This has given rise to a booming “black money economy” which in itself could be as large as the official economy. Mercifully so far at least, corruption is confined largely to anything connected to government largesse - purchases, issues of permits and licenses and so forth. The trends however are encouraging as red-tapism is being cut.
It would not surprise me at all if someone were to do research and discover that the richest man in the world resides in India. The fact is that person would be unable to openly declare his ill-begotten wealth.
5. The eradication of poverty
Although some progress has taken place, much still remains to done to improve the lot of the less privileged. We still have millions who live miserable lives, who don’t even have access to clean drinking water or electricity or a roof over their heads or any of the benefits technology has brought.
Part of the reason could lie in the fact that it requires someone who has seen poverty first hand to empathise with the poor. Our leaders and decision-makers seldom qualify on this score. And those that do, grow rich so quickly, their past is soon forgotten. There is always a struggle for resource utilisation – whether a road in the city should be developed first or a water pipeline in a village.
6. The declining importance of educators
This point may seem at odds with the earlier one on education. But there is a fundamental difference between the two. One of the major drivers of economic prosperity has been the high quality of education imparted both at school and college level in the early years after independence.
It is sad that today neither the teachers nor the taught are given the importance they deserve by society. Teachers and professors in government-run institutions are poorly paid and not motivated. This needs to be reversed and teachers accorded their rightful importance in society.
7. Health of the people and value of human life
Perhaps it has something to do with the population. But if one were to believe the grapevine, human life in India can be worth as little as Rs 5000/- ($ 100). This is what you would have to pay for a “supari” – a contract to kill and snuff out the life of an ordinary citizen. I am sure the price goes up with the value of the target. So really, life in India is not worth much. Death is accepted as a part of life.
Access to quality health care is very poor in rural areas and pathetic in government-run hospitals. Big bucks will ofcourse buy you world-class medical treatment. This is available only to a painfully few.
Sculpture at Khajuraho Temples
8. We are hypocritical
Sadly, we are a two-faced people. We rarely follow the values we profess. We preach one thing and practice the opposite. Starting with our political leaders. There are cases where a leader will condemn the use of the English language and yet send his children to the best English language schools in the country.
We curse the West for corrupting our culture and yet would do anything to be able to immigrate to the US by hook or by crook. We are known to beat up girls found in pubs on the grounds of immorality but how moral are we in reality?
We object if the subject of sex education in schools and colleges is discussed. We forget that some of the oldest and most erotic sculptures in the world are in India at the Khajuraho Temples, dating back to 950 to 1050 AD. The Kamasutra, the ancient Indian treatise on human sexual behavior was written sometime around the 2nd Century CE.
With that kind of a past, we should be teaching the world about sex and not appear like giggling schoolchildren whenever this topic comes up.
9. The growth and growth of religious fundamentalism
India is perpetually flirting with religious fundamentalism while other nations in our neighbourhood are busy embracing it. What frightens me is the number of “people like us” who think nothing of supporting fundamentalism. My neighbor, my colleagues, my relatives. All good, honest folk, misguided by the age-old fascist line of creating fear and hatred for the “other”. I hope and pray we are not going the way some countries went fascist before World War II. It will be a long, long time before we find our way back.
10. The growth and growth of the population
There are just too many of us. Plain and simple. But what can we do? We can’t dump our own people into the Indian Ocean. We can’t send a few hundred million to Australia. It may just be a sensible thing to do when you consider that Australia has an area more than twice India’s and only one-fiftieth the population. I mentioned this in jest to an Australian woman I met at a party recently. The look on her face was something – I think she was so horrified at the thought of so many Indians rushing around in Australia that she just couldn't see I was joking.
Contrary to the thinking some years ago, a huge population is now seen as a major plus. The reason? Simply that markets in the West are saturated so who is going to buy the cars and TVs and mobile phones? Them Indians ofcourse. Not to mention the Chinese.
The result of this is no one in India dares even talk about population control, leave alone doing anything about it. Have European nations, with their low population growth or declining populations missed a trick? I suspect not.
11. The unbridled ride to consumerism
Globalisation is fine with me, provided it is tempered. Not everything about the West is great. Consumer overkill and being a wasteful society is hardly the way to go. Yes, there is a case to encourage competition and give consumers increased choice, but we must ensure balance. An extra shopping mall cannot be at the cost of other priorities. But lobbies are strong and the powerful are easily corrupted.
Look at the number of shopping malls that have sprung up in the cities like mushrooms after the rains. Surely there is no need for so many. Could these resources have been used more effectively?
Well, that makes 11. Just shows that the scales are tilted just a bit on the wrong side. To be honest, it took less time to think of the ten things which need improvement than the ones to be proud of. But when I think of it, a generation ago, it was probably worse although people talk about the good old days.
I cannot forget a German Director of our company on his farewell visit to India saying “50 years from now, remember to be nice to us”. I can't wait to see whether he was right.
Check Out Shashi Tharoor on TED TV for an Articulate View on India
- Shashi Tharoor: Why nations should pursue "soft" power | Video on TED.com
TED Talks India is fast becoming a superpower, says Shashi Tharoor -- not just through trade and politics, but through "soft" power, its ability to share its culture with the world through food, music, technology, Bollywood. He argues that in the lon
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Thanks FP
As I see it, we have a lot to be proud about (and not necessarily material things). Things can only get better
I totally agree about Madhubala, she brings a warm smile and glow every time I think of her, but there are 11 things that make you sad...I totally understand the reason , you could add a few more to that list...
Yes we could surely add to that list - both sides actually. I think you would think of ten things that may be totally different. India is a vast, complex country as you know. Thanks for reading and commenting
You said it Mr.Singh! I completely agree with you! It was great reading this. :)
Thank you chains for your comments. Glad you enjoyed reading it
I, an American, am coming to know about India only now, as I have become a member here at HP.
I have never been to your country. In some ways, India has been as alien to me as Mars. Not so much now, as I've made friends here, and I am learning.
This Hub of yours, about being both proud and sad, is what I have been hearing. The largest democracy on the planet, barricaded by nations at war to the west, not easily accessible, certainly not by land routes. There's an isolation, but it is bridged by electronics, the Internet, diplomacy, the spirit of democracy, and in this other way, HubPages.
I look forward to hearing more.
Thanks for your comments Sally's Trove. I have travelled a bit and although every place is unique, India is very different. It can and will drive you crazy the first time. We would be happy to welcome you should you ever decide to make a trip. I am not so sure about your comment regarding India's isolation. I guess you mean the goegraphical distance between the US and India - yes it is far but we are quite integrated with the world otherwise. Shall certainly try and give you more information soon
You've said it all Sabu - and said it so well. We have so much to be proud of - and so much needs changing. Hopefully we'll up the numbers in the first and reduce the ones in the second!
Shalini, where have you been? I have been waiting for your comments, my good friend and mentor. We surely will Shalini - just wait and see. We only need the Gods to smile for a while
sabu
I agree with everybody, this is a great hub - the passion that went into writing it is almost palpable. We all have good and bad things to say about our cuntries but at the end of the day, it's all that we've got. India is one beautiful country and one with a very rich history and heritage. Thanks for sharing what an Indian thinks about India.
And I love my Indian friends, too! :D
Thanks Cris A. I wonder whether you have ever visited India and if so, what were your impressions? Thanks for reading and commenting
No I haven't but I almost went to Noida for training purposes. But a friend who now lives in Chennai (she moved there from Chandigarh) has been telling me beautiful things about your country, the places, the faces and the culture. She's married to a wonderful Indian doctor. Anyway, she's planning to invite some of us, her friends, next year. So...I'm keeping my fingers crossed! ;D
Great. I am sure you will have a wonderful trip. The first visit is the one where you really absorb things - the next time it will seem ordinary - do keep a diary and make notes otherwise one forgets and the moment is lost
About isolation, yes, Sabu, that comment was completely from my own isolationist perspective. India seems so far away, not only because of the geographical distance but because of how little I know of it and its immediate neighbors. India is integrated with the world, but we here are not. Thank you for the generous welcome. I have a feeling that to visit your country is to be welcomed by many, in many ways.
That is quite philosophical ST. India has so much to offer - is there something in particular that interests you? Also ofcourse a lot that could prove upsetting to someone who has not been exposed to this country. Which is why I have tried to produce as balanced a picture as possible of an insanely complex country
Sabu, you have profiled the Indian Nation so beautifully here. All the strenghts and the weaknesses are present. A wonderful and balanced Hub on India
Thanks Cashmere. Honestly it is a big subject I thought of and to do justice in a short essay is tough.
I have tried to be as objective as possible. Thanks for reading
Thanks Sabu for listing 10 good and 10 bad things about India. Its true that finding a mistake is simpler than finding a positive point among the people and when you sum up characteristics of 100 crore its really hard work to find 10 good and 10 bad things. I'll request you to give a rough measure of things like how much percentage is affected by good and bad things. Actually, few things need to be measured in relative terms instaed of absolute. For ex. we've routine discussions about honesty. In the present context, it's really not wise to talk of honesty in absolute terms. Anyways, great hub. Keep adding equally both good and bad things.
Thanks Prem for reading and commenting. I shall continue to look for things to add - there really are many
Great hub! I learned so much about India. I'd love to visit one day.
Thank you for reading LR. The truth is one could spend a lifetime and not be anywhere understanding this land.
Whatever else, India will not bore you - it is a feast for the eyes, painful to western ears (and not to forget the nose - smells and aromas like you never have smelt before).
And ofcourse the diversity - from the north to the south and east to west.
With your interests in nature and the outdoors, you would ofcourse have to trek in the Himalayas - and go higher than you have ever been before.
Do let me know if I can help in any way when you decide to visit India.
realy good one,........
it helped me in a debate compitition
thank you uncle...
I hope you won Akshaya. What was the subject of the debate and which side were you on?
the topics were ''india makes me proud
and
india makes me sad
the results are yet to come............
my topic was ''india makes me proud
I am happy to hear that Akshaya. Do keep me posted when the results come.
Wow i have to be a fan after reading this. Glad you bumped into my profile else i would miss knowing someone who has such insight. India is a land of many cultures, travelled Europe and London somehow i find peace and my heart lies only in India. Proud to be an Indian despite its loose ends. Will follow your writing for sure keep up the hubbing.
Thank you for reading this Charanjeet. Glad to have you as a fan and to be your fan. Let me know what you think of the other Hubs as and when you read them.
A very good composition! All proud thins are ok.
All sad thing need reassessment.
No one in this world is more tolerant than Indians. I, for my part, keep posting comments, even after my important comments that fail to suit the HP are deleted... But I keep posting my comments! Is it not tolerance?
Thank you for your comments Venu.
Kajuraho temple sculpture refered herein does not deviate our ethical standards. Sex between accepted couple is acceptable. Before the engage themselves, they should have some knowledge about it. Everyone in those days could not refer to Kamasutra and other things. Verbal teachings in this field will not look nice. So, like any other information, our ancestors chose to teach sex by creating permanent monuments. Such thing can also be seen in several temples in South India. (eg. Tiruvannamalai)
India is not a corrupt nation. It is a free society with committed principles. We offer something even to gods when we go to temples and pray for something. Is it corruption? Those who succeed in getting their needs say it is fair. Those who fail in their attempts say it is corrupt. For instance, the main national opposition party says the electronic voting machines should be replaced by the old paper-voting on the ground that the ruling party corrupts the machine in their favour. They cant explain how they won in some places.
guess what??????????
I STOOD SECOND!!!!
Well done champ. You must come first next time.
Sabu, you are very right about your comments about the tolerance and indifference of some people to the flirtations with fundamentalism. When fear and hatred triumph it can affect even those who think that that they might not be concerned. Perhaps people should always keep in mind the words of Pastor Martin Niemoller:
First they came for the Communists and I did not speak up because I was not a Communist, Then they came for the Jews and I did not speak up because I wasn't a Jew, Then they came for the Catholics and I did not speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me but there was no one left to speak up.
This is the advantage of having well-read friends Minhminh. Thank you for reading. I am looking forward to your first Hub.
I have writer's block, Sabu. So I'm just happy to read the very interesting, thought provoking , sometimes nostalgic and often hilarious articles in your hubpages.
Thanks for bringing in a lot of sunshine.
Ah what an opportunity for some entrepreneur to invent a writer's bloc cream. Apply and it's gone-a la sun block cream. LOL.
Come on Minhminh. You write so well it would be a hyge loss to HP if you did not get over your SB.
Thank you for the lovely comment. I certainly do NOT deserve it but grateful thanks anyway.
Thanks for Article, I would like to tell you that as far as corruption is concerned , Every country has corrupt people . It has nothing to do with the country but with the psychology of humans.
Thank you for your comments Vizey. I am sure corruption is present in all countries. It is a matter of degree. If a tinpot dictator is corrupt in say the defence deals of his country, itis different from a village patwari or a small traffic policeman trying to pocket Rs 50/- for a small offence.
I do not know what your experience is, but I have spent many years handling government purchases and have a fairly good idea how corruption pervades the life of the ordinary citizen in Inida.
good sharing of information but while talking about indian woman don't forget LATA MANGESHKAR.
Thanks for your suggestion FREEWORKING.
While writing this Hub, I have tried to stay away from personalities and concentrated on organisations and iinstitutions as there are so many one could write about. Thanks for reading.
Thanks alot this info was really very useful.
I am glad this was of use Fazila.Thanks for reading.
thank you for sharing the information and please don't forget the legend Indira Gandhi.
I completely agree with you Sabu Ji (I dont know what to say uncle or anything else)
VENUGOPAL SIVAGNA :-
India is corrupt country (& you said "We offer something even to gods when we go to temples and pray for something. Is it corruption? " my answer is Yes this is corruption mind, if dont agree with me please come at my office )
Britneydavidson:-
In my view Indira Gandhi not legend (yaa great politician but not legend)
Thank you for reading Dilip. You may call me whatever suits your fancy. No problem.
sir,
u r totally right about the india specially about that corruption point.idont know when this india will b called a developed country
Thank you for your comment Rahul. The good side is that people like you and me (who are certainly in the vast majority) are appalled by the corruption we see. What is needed is a social revolution to eradicate this evil. It has to be the youth of the country who have to initiate action.
I was googling for 'bird watching near Pune' and somehow landed here. We just moved to Pune from USA after 13 years. Enjoyed reading your article. All the analysis that was happening in my mind found articulated here.
It is always nice to meet a fellow bird-watcher and Puneite. Thank you for visiting. I am sure there is much else you would have to say on a subject as vast as this, especially with the cross-cultural environment you have been exposed to.
By the way, if you are interested in birding around Pune, let me know.
I am definitely interested in the bird-watching activity near Pune. Could you please give me your email id and then we can co-ordinate.
If you look directly under my mugshot, there is a box where "contact sabu singh" is mentioned. Click there and you will get the email ID. In any case it is sabusingh2003@yahoo.com.
If you check my Hubs, you will also find some more on India as well as on birds. Hope you find them of interest. Thank you for visiting.
helloby
good morning sabu...
i think u should write about RESERVATION in the topic that what i don't like about india...
Mr.Aashish periwal: You dont like reservation...?
In Mahabharatha, Karna was prevented from contesting the archery competition. Had he been allowed, he would have certainly won and the end of the epic would have been different. Like this, several intelligent minds are kept away from decision making process... Had they got a chance, they would have performed better. So, reservation is a must, as long as caste system prevails. Better support banning caste divisions in Hinduism.
Rajaji, a high caste Hindu and former Governor General of India has given the key word to Madras Regiment that martyrdom is the supreme sacrifice for a soldier. Babu Jagjivanram, former Defence Minister and father of the present Speaker said "There will be no Pakistan after the war" during a speech before war began between India and pakistan. Compare these two versions...
A high caste Hindu favours martyrdom while a low caste Hindu gives a morale boosting speech." If the underprivileged people go to helm, India will be different.
But what is worrying, the majority of the people are low caste but they are called "minorities". Those branding them as minorities are only 1 % of the total population.
sabu - in your ten things that make you proud to be an Indian, you should include India's rich cultural heritage - the art, music, religion etc. is beautiful and powerful. And the distrust of authority? That sounds like a good thing to me. Too much trust in authority is what gave rise to people like Adolph Hitler. Wonderful hub!
Thank you for nice suggestion Dolores. Actually there are so many things one could have chosen on either side. India's rich cultural heritage should have been one, I agree. Perhaps I'll make that the subject for another Hub.
i em a 20 yr. old nd doing engineering..
i wanna 2 give my cmmnts in HINDI as i am a 100% pure HINDUSTANI...
bahut sare bhartiya log sochte hain ki unka janm kahi australia, america, china , japan etc. etc me hua hota to aaj vo is halat me na hte...
maine b ek survey kia hai, most of d INDIANS are nt happy..
kisi ko apni salary se dikkat hai, kisi ko apne promotion se... sbka yahi rona..
ajkl kisi literate prsn se pucho ki job kaha kroge?
ans.- US, AUST., JAPAN.. why nt in his own country..?
ans.- more wrk nd less salary.. so y shd we??
106 crore ki population or 1 gold medal nhi..??
dese are d sch negative things 4 our country that cnt b neglected..
besides dis dere are lot of n lot of sch things dat make us really proud to b AN INDIAN..
AS U HAVE MENTIONED ABOVE..
apse bs yahi req. hai, ki plz. -ve things thoda km darshayiye.. +ve things ko weight dijiye...coz hm sb jante ki hmari cntry kya h, or kya bn skti h.....pr foreigners donno 9 our culture na...
or apko kya kahu sabu sir, apne itna wrk kiya hai.. u really make every INDIAN proud to b himself..
thnx, thnx a lot...
really good i am gonna use it for ma english project as a speech
nice hub....very well composed...
Great Hub. Well said! =)
Thank you for your nice comment Don. Glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you for giving such a nice information-
It was well composed
Thank you for your kind comment Kavya. Nice of you to read this Hub.
No one has any objection with Abishek Kaushik in being a Hindustani. But he is not even 50% Hindustani. India has 14 major languages and all of them have contributed to our cultural heritage. Branding himself as "100% pur Hindustani" is very much objectionable. A poor man in Kanyakumari is also a pure Hindustani as well as those in the northern tip of India in Kashmir. Better he may call himself "Hindistani", not "Hindustani". Better he may make himself understandable to others.
This attitude of some people is the 11th factor why I am sad with India.
wanna make a trip to india just to tour and dnt really know anybody there hope i could make some friends here before coming. nanakbl@hotmail.com thats ma e-mail
Hey, I totally agree with you.. We need to do something to make this coutry back to its golden day.. Incidently I also write something similar http://hubpages.com/hub/10-things-I-hate-about-Ind
hello sabu ... i seriously agree with you . you have greatly helped me with my speech . i have really enjoyed it.
yeah
A very good article Mr.Singh. I've always believed that to know a country or culture you have to know the contradictions it adheres to. I use the word 'know' as apposed to 'understand'.Tony
I am glad you liked this, hub Tony. As you have wisely put it, there is a huge gap between "knowing" a culture and "understanding" it. One could spend a lifetime or more and yet not understand India. The other thing is its diversity which is simply mind-boggling.
Thank you for reading.
Really beautiful and interesting article, I am agree with you.Thanks for sharing this article with us..
Domain name registration
India is indeed land of beautiful women just like Africa.
I am very glad to read about our womens. As a mother of three children balanced family and my professional life. It makes me very proud.
nice
Thank you Tabs
I am proud to be an indian...jai hind...very nice information....thanx.this helped me a lot in completing my project work.
thanks Sanu for this interesting writeup...
since much has been already said i want to talk about 2 points of agreement and disagreement from your negative list.
a)
Point 6 is quite a remarkable mention since no one else talks about the importance of educators in country's fate. i believe that's the key reason behinds the might of superpower US. In US the academia and intellectual think tanks are integral part of policy making to the extend of guiding its foreign policy.
In ancient India educators were respected and protected but unfortunately what now draws respect is power whether political, bureaucratic, wealthy or criminal.
b) Point 8 mention about the India being a land of sex and now suddenly we have turned against it. I believe that's certainly not true. Khajurao is no mecca or vatican for Indians who can we say that what's there is Khajurao represent the views of India as a whole. even geographically it holds no value. some sculptures created one thousand years back by some 'sect' who later vanished without trace is no symbol of Indian culture. Here we see a interesting example of how we interpret and rediscover our own culture like an alien.
why label a ordinary citizen hypocritical? most even never heard or seen khajurao what they have heard or read is sufis, saints, folks and their own scriptures who talks of family values, love, celibacy, fidelity, sacrifice... rather we as Indians have mastered all forms of joy over the millenniums including art, music, dance and yes Sex. But it doesn't mean animal sex or group sex of Khajurao is integral part of Indian culture as a whole.
Thanks for your comments and viewpoints Bharat.
sir,what r 3 things u like & dislikeabout r defence forces.If told 2 join as a soldier what will b ur response &why.pls reply.
I come from an Army background so my advice to you would be go for it. Ofcourse, the most important thing to my mind is to choose a career that i) interests you and ii) hopefully has growth opportunities etc. Good luck.
sir, i am in 8cls, st josephs school hyderbad,your writing on india has help to make s.a on pride to indian and to make its better.
Thank you Alok. I wish you well in your studies and may you do well in life too.
Great article sabu. Agree on several of your points and hope that change can come much quicker than 50 years.
However, as an Indian-born Australian, I must correct you on one thing. Australia has one-fiftieth (1/50th) the population of India, not one-fifth as you suggested. Just makes the disparity between our populations that much more amazing given our land mass.
India: 1,155,347,700
Australia: 21,874,900
Absolutely... Yeah..Mr.sabu.i m definitely supporting u.i have a request to u.Pls post this stuff on Facebook.we all wanna share...
proud not to be a indian but a true indian which i was made from this site
i AM PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN
Thank you for your comments, Kobe, Akash, Limesh and Vikram.S.
And thank you for pointing out the error Kobe. Shall rectify it shortly.
It was awesome!!!!
Mr. Singh, i am really sad that i could only read an article like this so late...
What you told about India are true..
It is hightime for every indian to understand our shortcomings and rectify them...
proud to be N INDIAN
Thank you for your kind comments Alen. Better late than never I guess.
Most of indians are saying this hub helped them in Project/Seminar/Debate etc. But nobody is getting the fact that we have to do something for our country so that next time when Sabu G will try to rewrite this hub then he has to put great efforts even to find a single thing that make him sad about INDIA.
Wake up guys! I know this is difficult but not Impossible.
Sabu G m sure second part of this hub is gonna tough to write for you. Anyways thanks a lot for your precious information.
we must think to make INDIA a better place!
vry nice n true about india
Am proud to be an Indian!!
I AM PROUD TO BE AN INDIAN
i feel proud of india
I have never visited this place but I like India so much nice reading this.
I LOVE MY COUNTRY
i dont like it at all because we know you should generate new things which people dont know about that at all.
very bad
I fell proud of india but the road of india is just like a cyclone
I AM PROUD TO BE BE A INDIAN
Thanks for listing good and bad things. Specially bad things draw special attention to me. As an Indian i think now it is the time protest against bad thing. I felt sorry when a thief is caught then he or she is beaten badly but when a corrupt leader is caught then no proper decisions are made. I think inequality is the biggest problem in India.
Thank you Soumitra for your comments. You are right - the rich and famous do generally get away. But let us not give up hope. Things have to improve for the better and a lot will depend on the younger generation.
I REALLY WISH THAT EVERY THING HAPPENS TO BE FINE IN THE YEARS TO COME..IT WAS NICE HEARING YOU SIR...THANK YOU
your views are good gentlemen and may ur 10 sad points may convert into ur next 10 things which make everyone happy especially the poverty in india......thank u!!!!!
Thank you for your comments Viji and Afshan.
When I read this, a glow in pure heart flourished with everything I have, and deal with my life.
mr sabu...thank you very much...but i want to add one more thing india is the only country in the world which is maintaining it's caste system from thousand years...we should be proud on that too....
Thank you for your comment Kunal, although I would reserve my opinion on whether the caste system is something to be proud of. Perhaps it served some purpose when it first came into existence, but in this day and age........
Very well written!
Very well written i enjoyed every bit of your views and experience Sabu sir. I must share it is very sad how people outside india seem to have a rather judge-mental view about what India really is, and what made me read about it all.I've come across some who say they hate india because of few or many things that would exist anywhere in any other country as well,..but somehow india manages up to be the prime focus , i guess that is because we come out at a much larger degree.I mostly have nothing to tell them especially when , yes it is a fact that corruption has widespread on indian lands,and individual religion inside indian boundaries comes out more important that India as a whole , but Which country is free from it?
I don't know which country has what issues, i am simply not interested in knowing it,
But , all i do know for a fact that every country is suffering from , thief's,rapists,murderers ,terrorists, corruption..
Sabu thx for your post, this will help me open up some narrow minds ..
thats absolutely true sir, the most unfortunate part is , only few of indian realises this and you are one of them , if every indian start thinking in this direction/way, instead of self centered attitude, there is no doubt that we would be best in the world in all aspects.
Thank you, Shilpi, Varun and Shrikant for reading and your valued comments.
It really is upto the younger generation to overcome whatever is not as it should be in our country. I have no doubt it will happen.
Hi Sabu
I really liked your post. I am married to an Indian man. I've been two times to India and I have to agree with you. While Bombay is a really chaotic city, the rural life offers wonderful experiences. Meeting local people and learning their culture is wonderful.It is so sad that such a rich country is governed mostly by corrupted people. Like you said, unless you come from the poor life you don't understand what it is like, the importance to have clear water, a roof to sleep under, free education, etc.
Greetings from Finland
Good to read your comments, Ana. And especially, coming from Finland, the contrast must be very vivid.
The challenges for India are huge, but so are the opportunities.
Thank you for reading.
we should be proud of the 10 things not sad of the other 10 things
My favorites and most agreeable points were #8-The intense desire for education. and #11 The unbridled ride to consumerism. "Globalisation is fine with me, provided it is tempered. Not everything about the West is great. Consumer overkill and being a wasteful society is hardly the way to go. " -YES! It makes me sad when I see Indians falling into this trap, when they possess a richness the west doesn't know, and are willingly to abandon it in the quest for "progress."
Thank you for your comments CGarg - not so much for agreeing with me as for the way you have expressed yourself. I look forward to reading your Hubs.
fantastic comment
Sir, you've nicely portrayed our country. I hope, this will surely motivate foreign tourist to visit India and discover its eternal beauty. Indian rich culture and monuments are worth watching. Every single thing in India has something to teach you. Just a right perspective is required.
Sir, you are doing an awesome job by portraying the real India as it is. Keep going with your obvious to be proud work.
Dear mr. singh ,
first of all compliments on writing such a unbiased hub (a difficult feat for us indians as we are nothing if not biased ).
I agree with most of what you said . I believe another positive thing which influences most of our day to day dealings as individuals is our core values system .
I personally see no harm in progress but a superpower we will be only when we carry our advantages forward with us and not lose them on the way to "evolutionising " towards westernism .
It's also sad that a country which such a hunger for education breeds such sad lots of politicians . Maybe issues such as health , education systems ,infrastructure need to be the responsibilty of hand picked educated citizens instead of power hungry ministers ?
i hope we can all "be the change we wish to see ".
As the daughter of an Indian father I am aware of most of these things and this is a great hub page that sums up the good and no-so-good of India. But it takes time for things to get better. I enjoyed reading this. Thank you for a wonderful hub page.
Thank you for your comments Snigdhal and Astra Nomik. It is upto your generation to "be the change you wish to see". There is a lot that is good about our country and a lot that could be better.
very nicely written sir..........................
Thank you XYZ. Glad you enjoyed this Hub.
Great hub.Proud to be an Indian.
Sir,
Your writing inspired me and many.Indian republic stood on three pillars 1--Democracy 2-Secularism 3--Judiciary
All the three pillars are intact so India is intact.If corruption is a mess , we should clean up quick and cut the bottlenecks, we can grow faster than today, should not be complacent on 8% or 9% growth rate.
We lack in implementation of our good plans,unfortunately our governance and administration is still not transparent as expected.
Regional parties are emerging and without vision,that is the hurdle in our progress.
Elections are like festivals and huge expenditures to win ,finally common Indian is getting suffered.
the super power in making seems glamorous but sustain growth and economy is a hard job,Reserve bank of India did a splendid job by protecting India from Global crisis.
Thank you.
thank you for this great article, im from australia and im writing a report about india and the difference between both countries and this really helped
Thank you :)
thank you so much !!!!!!!!!!!!you article helped me doing my project about India and i got A and tht because of u thank you so much Mr.sabu singh
Feline Prophet Level 5 Commenter 2 years ago
Very well said sabu! You've given voice to the thoughts of millions of your countrymen. Indeed this country makes my heart swell with pride, but I'm not blind to its faults. One lives in hope however. :)