Oh My India!. Review on India, General

Being an Indian is a matter of the heart. It doesn't matter if you are away from India, as long as you love India. Sadly, many Indians abroad do not have any idea as to their roots. They are more happy calling themselves Americans. Well, I am happy to be an Indian. At least we do not subject a whole nation to war to find one single terrorist. Our parliament was attacked, and within a week the attackers are found out(by local police). We do not spend months trying to bombard other countries for one man, and then busy our docs in carrying out DNA tests cos their soldiers do not know whether they killed him. Many Indians go to US for Money! Many Americans come to India -for Peace! Now, let us look at the minus points. Corruption heads the list. I agree that this problem has been haunting Indians. But whatever makes anyone think that other nations are any different? The only thing is that India is more forthcoming in its findings, and hence the world comes to know about the corrupt people. There are flaws in the judicial system, but then at least India has the courage of bringing its prime minister in court, and punishing him. Second point that seems to have ruffled a few feathers are the religious quarrels. I really wonder how many nations in the world can be termed as having so many religions! And when such a big family lives together, there are bound to be differences, which may give rise to violent emotions in many people. Does that mean that India should be termed as a nation that is always having religious riots? Ok....what about the reaction of the Americans when the Towers were attacked? Every one resembling a Taliban or an Arab were beaten. Even our Sikh brothers were not spared. Its very easy to point fingers at India. But it did be appreciated if the accusers first get to know what exactly is India! India is much more than amby cars and Govt Offices. What we all need to understand is that Indians do not believe in lavish show off! They need a commuting vehicle. And they may as well spend their hard earned money on their children's education rather than a full powered car. Ok! If the only way to establish a nation's greatness is by comparing, let us do that! First is Indian Music. We have produced Tony Vaz in Bass guitar, Zubin Mehta in western classical, Rahman in Music composing. Now let us see the west produce a Zakir Hussain, a Shivkumar Sharma or a Pandit Ravishankar. We respect all forms of art and culture. May it be a Pakistani Mehndi Hasan,or a US singer Michael Jackson. We always welcome foriegn talents in our land. I know there are some who put up hurdles in art, but then a nation is not branded by a minority. It has to be assessed by the majority, especially if its a nation as big as India. India is one nation which has not invaded anyone in its history, the only nation whose freedom movement was based on Ahimsa, the only nation who has adapted every nation's traits and cultures within their culture. And India's own culture is far better than any western so called developed countries. India believes in family values - not forced on the younger generation, but happily embraced by them. India believes that a woman looks graceful when her body is covered, but India does not force a woman to wear a burkha by threatening to kill her. India believes that her culture is her best asset, and yet is open to the western approach, without losing her dignity. Anyway, to continue with the review, let us see the tourist attractions of India. I will not waste time on Taj Mahal and Gateway of India, as all know about them. Let me take u all on a trip in the interiors of India. Do visit Shingnapur whenever you visit Shirdi in Maharashtra. It is a village with houses without doors. The theme of this small place is TRUST. There has not been a single incident of theft here. Do visit the picturesque area of Konkan. No amount of Hamburgers can give you the pleasure of a meal of fish and rice here. Let me take you a bit more further. Goa! The natural haven where the people have still cherished the constructions built by the Portuguese. That's the true spirit of India. We cherish our tormentors' creations too. For one Babri Masjid I can show you umpteen Gateway of Indias. Let us go a bit further south.Kerala! The green magic! Coconut trees, rivulets, boathouses! Its to be seen to be believed. Go to Kanya Kumari, the place from where Swami Vivekanand addressed India. For the west, it would have seemed like a madman shouting towards a shore. But you need to understand what went into this action. The love for his country! Fortunately for the Americans, they did get to experience the power of this man from India! I doubt if any other country's man has addressed the Americans as ''My dear American Brothers and Sisters''. It could only come from an Indian heart. Okay! Let us go to the North now. I will leave Kashmir....for now! Will talk about it when Pakistan sees the light of the day. Let us go to the other places. Lets go to Punjab. I doubt if the West can give anyone the hospitality like a Sikh. The Punjabi Lassi is enough to counter any Cokes and Pepsis. The ''sarson da saag aur makai di roti'' can take any pizzas hands down. Then comes Rajasthan! Its a desert heaven. Try the ''daalbati'' here. Come down to Gujarat! You will find people clad in the simplest of clothes who can give a Western millionaire a run for his money. Lets move on to the dance and music scene now. Show me one country which has so many diverse folk as India like the Punjabi Bhangra, Rajasthani folk, Kashmiri Bhumro, Bharatnatyam, Kuchipudi, Nagadance, Kathak, Kathakali, Raasgarba, or even the Maharashtrian Tamasha. In one state alone you will find umpteen folk dances. For example, Maharashtra alone can give you tamasha, lezim, powada, waghya murli, kolidance and gondhal. Having said all that, let us come to the present. How about the IT? The Docs? The Scientists? Even the US has benefitted by it. And if anyone feels that all these people do not have any exposure in India, let me draw your attention to people like Jayant Narlikar, Dr. Neetu Mandke, Dr.Abdul Kalaam and the like. I do not think that India had any foreign scientist specially flown in to carry the nuclear tests. India has her own children. Finally, I would like to point out that every Indian heart cried for the attacks on USA. My heart certainly bleeds for the little girl there who does not know why her father had to die when all he did was work hard at the WTC to feed her and get her toys,for the people who died because some mad men feel that they have the right to kill. And I am sure that every Indian will be with me on this. Last,the all important question :What can we do about the things that are not right in India? To answer this question, I would like to share a small incident in my life. I was in Std.VI when I had written a letter to Mother Teresa. I had wrote in that letter that I would like to join her mission. To my surprise, I recieved a letter from the Mother. It said,''Its really good to see that you are concerned about your fellow beings. But remember, all good things start at home. Help your family members, your neighbours, your community, and soon you will see that the world is changing. Its becoming a better place to live.'' I have cherished those words of the Mother, and today, I look at them as the solution. Yes friends, do not wait for things to happen at a bigger level. Start helping your immediate locality. Plant trees, clean your locality, start a small movement in your own small area. If all do it, I am sure that Mother Teresa's words will come true. I know that things are not that good. But I am damn confident that things can be improved. All it needs is a little effort. And I am sure that a true Indian will never rest till India realises the dream that the freedom fighters had seen. Jai Hind!