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"Incredible India", as the country's tourism slogan claims, is fast disappearing. I know this may get downvoted by fans of India, but I'm just saying it as I se
by osrec 8y ago
"Incredible India", as the country's tourism slogan claims, is fast disappearing. I know this may get downvoted by fans of India, but I'm just saying it as I see it. If it matters, I'm of Indian origin too.
First of all, India has everything it needs to be amazing. A young workforce, driven, technical people, a nice selection of flourishing industries, bucket loads of natural resources and abundant sources of renewable energy. Yet it seems to make use of those things poorly.
Whenever I step into Delhi, or any major Indian city, I feel like I'm stepping into chaos. The buildings are blackened and poorly planned. The sky, perpetually grey with pollution. The traffic is idiotic. I'm convinced the volume of cars is not the problem, but instead lack of road etiquette is to blame. Every car, whether it be a cheap Honda or an expensive S-class has a dent or two in it. Everyone's beeping horns for no apparent reason, and crawling forward at ten meters a minute. It's a great metaphor for the country as a whole - it appears loud and active, but the actual activity is somewhat unsubstantial.
While I was in Delhi about 2 weeks ago, my father asked me to advise the 17 year old son of one of his employees. I met the guy - a studious, fiercly competitive lad, but pleasant nonetheless. He wanted to become a doctor; I asked him "why a doctor?". His response was that he could make a lot of money in that field, specifically because people come to you when they're in need and in trouble. I then asked him "What about helping people? Interest in the subject itself? Passion?". He fobbed those questions off like they simply didn't matter. (Aside: the medical system in India is ruthless - if you're ill, you will likely be taken advantage of, and it can bring you and your family to your knees very, very quickly. Even my own grandfather's gold rings and dental filings mysteriously disappeared when he passed away in the most reputable hospital in Delhi).
Why am I telling you the above story? Well, because I see this mindset almost everywhere in India. Cold hearted profiteering is killing passion and genuine interest amongst vast swathes of society. It's horribly unpleasant, and it doesn't surprise me that things of cultural importance are taking such a back seat. In the case of the Taj, I bet the money was available, but improperly used or swindled away (adminstrative government officials in India are known for their corruption - it's one of the perks of the job apparently). Anyway, the crumbling Taj is simply another metaphor for the crumbling culture of India, and it really does make me rather sad.
- lokeshk 8y agoWow, so very well sad! As another person of Indian origin, coolately agree.
- RcouF1uZ4gsC 8y ago>While I was in Delhi about 2 weeks ago, my father asked me to advise the 17 year old son of one of his employees. I met the guy - a studious, fiercly competitive lad, but pleasant nonetheless. He wanted to become a doctor; I asked him "why a doctor?". His response was that he could make a lot of money in that field, specifically because people come to you when they're in need and in trouble. I then asked him "What about helping people? Interest in the subject itself? Passion?". He fobbed those questions off like they simply didn't matter. You have to have a certain level of wealth before you care about "passion". Sometimes if you grow up seeing the consequences of being poor, the desire to never go through that again becomes your passion. That is why you then optimize your career to make money rather than follow your "passion".
- osrec 8y agoI don't disagree with you, however, the individual in my story was not "poor" - he was part of India's middle class. His father was being paid reasonably well at my dad's firm for the last 20+ years.
- yumraj 8y agoSo, while his father was being paid reasonably well according to you - he is employed by your father's firm, which leads me to believe you grew up with considerably more resources to be able to pursue your passions then the child in question. As such, the argument still applies that not everyone has an ability or an opportunity to pursue their passions.
- osrec 8y agoMy personal situation, on a relative scale, is rather more tragic. I would suggest you not to make that assumption about my upbringing, for you would be quite incorrect.