Aditya, a good friend, sent me this link and asked me my opinion on it. While I read this nicely written article what loomed over my mind is why do “WE” (Indians) react in this way? During the attacks, I had several arguments and discussions with other friends on the situation then. One thing which I was always clear on is this is our behaviour and outlook was very normal which is CONDEMN->BLAME->GET ANGRY->PROTEST->GO BACK TO BUSINESS.
I think as an Indian, we have become this way. We don’t mind people coming to our homeland, fool us, rule us, exploit us. Mughals did that. Britishers did that. Politicians are doing it. And since past few years our neighbors.
With the current war between Israel and Hamas, we are questioned why can’t we follow the same route with Pakistan? Can we?
Most of our leaders are typical Indian. That doesn’t mean I am not. There were very few who could swim against the current .. I can recall Sadar Patel, Netaji Bose, Lal Bahadur Shashtri. I am sure I can count these names on my fingers. Since so many centuries we have been ruled, has made us bow in front of anyone and everyone. Be it corruption, foreign policies, domestic casteism riots, language/ regional differences etc; has always made us bow and accept and live with it attitude.
Be it a Mumbai Train Blast, or Mumbai Gun Fire Attack, I guess our resilience to the situation is extremely high. I recall my friend getting onto the same train next day or my uncle driving to work near the same location (while the fight between the terrorists and commandos was going on). LIFE GOES ON, is what they were thinking.
During my school days, I always use to oppose views of Gandhiji, peace, non violence. Then I never really understood the real reason. It was just a feeling I had which told me non violence is not the way to treat a coward who is crushing my liberty, my peace, my happiness over my LAND. I always stood by the views of Netaji Bose. A big fan of Shashtriji. I guess it we also need to revive our educational systems, where too much emphasis on Ghandhi-giri (Thanks Munnabhai for that word) should be taken off. Do you really believe in Gandhi-giri? Real life is no “Lage Raho” … people are losing their lives, investors are turning away, future dreams are getting shattered. Is there any course book in India who talks about Bhagat Singh’s attitude? No. If Gandhi has been bestowed Father of the Nation, why can’t we call Lal Bahadur Shahtri Son of the Nation? (Well don’t want the dirty politics to come in here)
I know much has been said and written around India’s fight against terrorism and this is yet another blog post I am writing. But frankly, what I conclude is the current generations will continue to “bow”. We have to make the next generation fierce when they see the light of the day. Along with teaching them how to live in harmony with such great diversity, also tell them to be warriors when it comes to integrity of our NATION. Else, this will go on forever. No “Munnabhai” or “A Wednesday” can solve this problem.
Start talking to your young ones, now!
(Image from Flickr by sirwatkyn)
We need this in our new generation
