The Two faces of INDIA - 2014.

INDEPENDENCE DAY

On the 15th of August 2014 we proudly celebrate the 68th year of our independence from the British rule. The very mention of the word Independence brings back nostalgic memories to all those who love their beloved country. They are the moments of sheer magic when a nation held in bondage for centuries breaks free from the shackles of foreign rule and breathes in winds of freedom.

The country that suffered slavery is the very country that has been admired by many in the West. We need to be proud of that legacy. No less a person than Albert Einstein has said of India: “We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made.” The famous German scholar Max Muller observed, “If I were asked under what sky the human mind has most fully developed some of its choicest gifts, has most deeply pondered on the greatest problems
of life, and has found solutions, I should point to India.” And Mark Twain who is known for his satirical comments observes seriously that India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grandmother of tradition.

Our most valuable and most instructive materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only. Such a great nation that was the birth of wisdom is ours and ours only. But today, we see that freedom that was won by sacrifice, blood and toil is being taken for granted. Most Indians are not keenly appreciative of the blessings of being born an Indian.

Given the opportunity let me present to you the two faces of India as of today. Independent though she is, India must deal with extremes that range from delightful to excruciating. Presenting a country juxtaposed between centuries, year of our Independence from the the contradiction that is India.

India, a country caught between intense extremities, is home to both Antilla and to Dharavi. The Ambani's 27-storey house, Antilla, one of the world’s most expensive homes, was built at an estimated cost of $2 billion, holding 6 stories of parking, three helipads, nine elevators, and a ballroom of crystal chandeliers.

Ironically, Antilla is located in the same city that houses Dharavi, one of the largest slums in the world.

In a democratic country like India, politicians too come with a case of extremities. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. In India, the poorest-known politician (not an oxymoron) is Manik Sarkar (left). Sarkar is the Chief Minister of Tripura, and belongs to the Communist Party of India (Marxist). He has the distinct honor of holding his office for four consecutive terms till date, and is referred to as the “cleanest and poorest CM of the country”. Contrast this with the richest politician in India, Ravindra Kishore Sinha (right), a BJP member, who has over 800 crores of assets. He too had humble beginnings that soon turned into riches. Besides this, he owns a very profitable Security and Intelligence Services.

Women in India are worshiped and abused. More than 68% of women in India are subject to domestic violence. In 2012 alone, there were 2,44,270 reported cases of violence against women. The country's growing awareness and outrage over violence and sexual crimes against women have a long battle ahead: A recent survey by ICRW reports that 65% of Indian men believe women should tolerate violence, and sometimes deserve to be beaten. Harassment, rape, female infanticide, domestic violence, acid throwing, dowry deaths and honour killings stem from a culture with a deep-rooted history of misogyny.

India is a country of many centuries. Our roads play host in equal measure to the Bentley and Ferrari, as they do to the lowly bullock cart and hand-pulled rickshaws. These ancient means of transportation are used in many parts of the country where modern transportation is unavailable or too expensive.

India’s universities and placements boast of international standards, and the country is seen as an emerging new academic destination globally. Yet, India has one of the largest illiterate populations in the world, with over 60 million child laborers in the country. Of these, 50% are subject to some form of physical abuse and work seven days a week.

While millions starve in a country ranked second in the world for the number of children suffering from malnutrition, India also witnesses abject waste in abundance. Food is hoarded for price rise, until rot sets in, and is no longer fit for human consumption. And across the cities, marriage halls hold feasts, while beggars outside scavenge through the garbage, looking for another Indian women have made it to the top of the corporate world as CEOs and MDs of multinational companies. Indira Nooyi, Chanda Kochhar, Naina Lal Kidwai and Kirthiga Reddy are familiar names, holding their own despite the odds against their gender.

But the majority of Indian women live in rural Indian where they are deprived of economic opportunity, social equality and personal rights. This is despite evidence to prove that working women in rural India play a key role in supporting their households, achieving food and nutrition security, generating income, improving livelihoods and contributing to rural enterprises and Feminine divinity is omnipresent in India. Depictions of Sita, Radha, Durga, Laksmi and Kali range from mounds of mud, and wood carvings to paintings, bronze statues, and poetic verse. The goddess is the center of sacred festivals, and cities adorn themselves to win her favor. Conversely, female foeticide in India has acquired almost genocidal proportions. Sex-selective abortion has grown into a Rs. 1000 crore industry, and India’s sex ratio is skewed to the point of 940 females for every 1000 males.

India, still seen as the world’s spiritual epicenter, is host to a steady river of devotees seeking divine salvation in its holy cities nearly every month of the year. It is a country that has been home to many of the world’s greatest religions, and the majority of India’s population is still sustained by faith. They seek absolution, redemption and hope in her ashrams and temples, in meditation and communal living. Yet, India’s godmen have been mired in controversy, corruption and allegations of sexual abuse. Reality is often far from the image of spirituality portrayed.

Mother India needs her children! The Uttarakhand tragedy still lingers in our minds and our hearts reaching out to those facing such dreadful situations. Similar calamities have been creating havoc and many lives have been lost. This is the thundering response of our mother India for pulling everything apart from her wealthy heritage.

Such is the plight of our beloved country. Everyone should question themselves. Can we take a few minutes to think about how we can change the situations around us? Can we think of a better India for our future generations? Or we can continue pointing our fingers at each other and shudder our responsibilities towing India at world’s end.

As the tricolor flutters high in the sky, let each one of us reaffirm our faith to bring glory to the country and strive to make India a nation that stands for a rich heritage and true human values.

Jai Hind. Jai Hind. Jai Hind.