Okay, we are the biggest secular democracy of world, agreed, One Hundred Percent.
Its been a little over 61 years since India was liberated and the highly coveted and wanted Independence was achieved. But where do we stand after those roller coaster like 61 years? Lets analyse, unbiasedly, of course.
Before i began, i would like to share a view, which was given or rather imposed on be someone very dear.
INDIA MAY BE 60 YEARS OLD, BUT NOT HINDUSTAN. THE DEMOCRACY MAY STILL BE LEARNING, WE WERE RULERS AND ADMINISTRATORS FROM AGES.
Although it was a no holds barred discussion, there were some points i was quick to adopt and acknowledge. Though some were arguable and debatable.
But the point in question is, where do we stand in terms of our International Colleagues? Although we got independence more than 6 decades before, out education system was never overhauled. We still read, mug up and write the words written 200 years before by the historians appointed by certain affluent sects of society. The fact is that the description of certain events in past was written to provide positive publicity to the person getting it written, so that after centuries and ages, they will remain the pride of history when they were actually the scar.
Our education system cover up history of not more than 1200 years, which effectively means we study only about the travellers and invaders, whereas our history dates back to more than 1,20,00,000 years (the oldest human skull found in Madhya Pradesh). Infact any intelligent 8th grader will tell you all about Mughals, Marathas, Maharana Pratap, Jhansi ki Rani, East India Company and independence. But what about Ashoka or Chandragupta. The importance of Kautilya, better known as Chanakya or the atomic explosion during Mahabharata are relatively unknown. Yes, these are not conclusions, these are facts. Our history is much older than an average Indian can imagine, all thanks to our education system.
The base of future is built on its past. If we do no plan well in past, there are rare, almost no chances of succeeding in future. If we do not know our history well, our generations will be deprived of the rich source of inspiration. A child learns by choice and by logic. If he reads a certan 1200 years of history, he will not even think of comparing two certain individuals or events. A child may compare Aurganzeb with Akbar, but what about Ashoka and Chandragupta? The religiuos books are a very good source of information, but a conclusion is arrived after conflicting various thoughts.
The question remains! Who will do the hard work? Right now we have a well in place and accepted educational system. But is it all that we need to teach our children, the so called future of nation? No, do not remove them, but add the glorified past. Let them also realise in spirit that we were actually a GOLDEN SPARROW. Right now, the system portraits us the same as before. We never saw the riches in our history books.
We need to get out of this shell. We are one of the oldest civilisations in the world, much older than the invaders who ruled over us, and who regard themselves to be superior in race. Our recent history dates back to the times even when a so called powerful nation was not even discovered. We are not inferior to anyone and its high time our own children are made this thing realised, by the books they read.
Cracking the Shell
Okay, we are the biggest secular democracy of world, agreed, One Hundred Percent.
Its been a little over 61 years since India was liberated and the highly coveted and wanted Independence was achieved. But where do we stand after those roller coaster like 61 years? Lets analyse, unbiasedly, of course.
Before i began, i would like to share a view, which was given or rather imposed on be someone very dear.
INDIA MAY BE 60 YEARS OLD, BUT NOT HINDUSTAN. THE DEMOCRACY MAY STILL BE LEARNING, WE WERE RULERS AND ADMINISTRATORS FROM AGES.
Although it was a no holds barred discussion, there were some points i was quick to adopt and acknowledge. Though some were arguable and debatable.
But the point in question is, where do we stand in terms of our International Colleagues? Although we got independence more than 6 decades before, out education system was never overhauled. We still read, mug up and write the words written 200 years before by the historians appointed by certain affluent sects of society. The fact is that the description of certain events in past was written to provide positive publicity to the person getting it written, so that after centuries and ages, they will remain the pride of history when they were actually the scar.
Our education system cover up history of not more than 1200 years, which effectively means we study only about the travellers and invaders, whereas our history dates back to more than 1,20,00,000 years (the oldest human skull found in Madhya Pradesh). Infact any intelligent 8th grader will tell you all about Mughals, Marathas, Maharana Pratap, Jhansi ki Rani, East India Company and independence. But what about Ashoka or Chandragupta. The importance of Kautilya, better known as Chanakya or the atomic explosion during Mahabharata are relatively unknown. Yes, these are not conclusions, these are facts. Our history is much older than an average Indian can imagine, all thanks to our education system.
The base of future is built on its past. If we do no plan well in past, there are rare, almost no chances of succeeding in future. If we do not know our history well, our generations will be deprived of the rich source of inspiration. A child learns by choice and by logic. If he reads a certan 1200 years of history, he will not even think of comparing two certain individuals or events. A child may compare Aurganzeb with Akbar, but what about Ashoka and Chandragupta? The religiuos books are a very good source of information, but a conclusion is arrived after conflicting various thoughts.
The question remains! Who will do the hard work? Right now we have a well in place and accepted educational system. But is it all that we need to teach our children, the so called future of nation? No, do not remove them, but add the glorified past. Let them also realise in spirit that we were actually a GOLDEN SPARROW. Right now, the system portraits us the same as before. We never saw the riches in our history books.
We need to get out of this shell. We are one of the oldest civilisations in the world, much older than the invaders who ruled over us, and who regard themselves to be superior in race. Our recent history dates back to the times even when a so called powerful nation was not even discovered. We are not inferior to anyone and its high time our own children are made this thing realised, by the books they read.
Its been a little over 61 years since India was liberated and the highly coveted and wanted Independence was achieved. But where do we stand after those roller coaster like 61 years? Lets analyse, unbiasedly, of course.
Before i began, i would like to share a view, which was given or rather imposed on be someone very dear.
INDIA MAY BE 60 YEARS OLD, BUT NOT HINDUSTAN. THE DEMOCRACY MAY STILL BE LEARNING, WE WERE RULERS AND ADMINISTRATORS FROM AGES.
Although it was a no holds barred discussion, there were some points i was quick to adopt and acknowledge. Though some were arguable and debatable.
But the point in question is, where do we stand in terms of our International Colleagues? Although we got independence more than 6 decades before, out education system was never overhauled. We still read, mug up and write the words written 200 years before by the historians appointed by certain affluent sects of society. The fact is that the description of certain events in past was written to provide positive publicity to the person getting it written, so that after centuries and ages, they will remain the pride of history when they were actually the scar.
Our education system cover up history of not more than 1200 years, which effectively means we study only about the travellers and invaders, whereas our history dates back to more than 1,20,00,000 years (the oldest human skull found in Madhya Pradesh). Infact any intelligent 8th grader will tell you all about Mughals, Marathas, Maharana Pratap, Jhansi ki Rani, East India Company and independence. But what about Ashoka or Chandragupta. The importance of Kautilya, better known as Chanakya or the atomic explosion during Mahabharata are relatively unknown. Yes, these are not conclusions, these are facts. Our history is much older than an average Indian can imagine, all thanks to our education system.
The base of future is built on its past. If we do no plan well in past, there are rare, almost no chances of succeeding in future. If we do not know our history well, our generations will be deprived of the rich source of inspiration. A child learns by choice and by logic. If he reads a certan 1200 years of history, he will not even think of comparing two certain individuals or events. A child may compare Aurganzeb with Akbar, but what about Ashoka and Chandragupta? The religiuos books are a very good source of information, but a conclusion is arrived after conflicting various thoughts.
The question remains! Who will do the hard work? Right now we have a well in place and accepted educational system. But is it all that we need to teach our children, the so called future of nation? No, do not remove them, but add the glorified past. Let them also realise in spirit that we were actually a GOLDEN SPARROW. Right now, the system portraits us the same as before. We never saw the riches in our history books.
We need to get out of this shell. We are one of the oldest civilisations in the world, much older than the invaders who ruled over us, and who regard themselves to be superior in race. Our recent history dates back to the times even when a so called powerful nation was not even discovered. We are not inferior to anyone and its high time our own children are made this thing realised, by the books they read.
Going for Gold
INDIA Gold-1, Silver-0, Bronze-2, Standing-50
Achievements
First ever gold medal in an individual event (Shooting) in Olympic history of 108 years.
First ever medal in Boxing
So, the two lines above are enough to satisfy a population of 115 Crore?
Lets check out some other results:
KENYA Gold-5, Silver-5, Bronze-4, Standing-15
Facing ongoing political unrest from 2007.
ETHIOPIA Gold-4, Silver-1, Bronze-2, Standing-18
Raging shortage of food and riots.
ZIMBABWE Gold-1, Silver-3, Bronze-0, Standing 38
Destroyed by internal conflicts and facing isolation from International community.
Are we still satisfied with the results? We always compare ourselves with China, lets look at how they fared in their own backyard.
Gold-51, Silver-21, Bronze-28, Standing-1
It was not long-before, when China won its first ever Gold Medal. In 1984, Los Angeles Games, Xu Haifeng shooted his way to the history of Chinese Olympics as its first ever Gold Medalist. And after 24 years China stand firmly at the top of table with 15 Gold medals more than a distant US.
Some people might argue that they got the home advantage and automatic entry to all the games, but does that mean getting an entry itself guarantees a gold or for that sake a medal? When competing amongst the best of bests, gate-crashers rarely held their heads high.
We should look at China as a source of Inspiration, not enviously. We are, to be frank, no competition to them. Of course we did got the all important breakthrough by winning our first ever Individual Olympic gold. But, its about planning and more importantly executing it. The Chinese planned and targeted each and every medal available. They had a systematic and individual approach towards all the metal pieces on for grab. They started nurturing there talented individuals for this Olympics from Sydney 2000. And we talk about preparing ourselves for London 2012.
The truth is that India need to provide financial security to the athletes. Yes, we are obsessed with Cricket, why not be? Its the only game in which we compete in top flight. We have earned a Test Playing nation status, of which there are only 8 (Zimbabwe suspended for now) other nations in the world. The expectations are met more often than not as compared to any other game we play. India was the world hockey power house. The same sponsor support our hockey and cricket teams. There are no financial problems, of course dreams of over night riches are self made by players, which to be frank depends entirely on a game's commercial value. Ussain Bolt or Michael Phelps even after winning heaps of gold medals, won't be the face of there country for the next 4 years. Jamaica have a lot more than running athletes and as for US, it will be all over when Monday night football kicks off.
China adopted a very basic approach- catch them young. The US athletes were afraid of a Chinese athlete, who according to them looked no older than 14 years and when China showed proof of age, they have to, simply eat their words and criticise them (debatable though). But that clearly underlines one thing, other Olympic powers have acknowledged and are afraid of China's might.
Had the Chinese media went crazy like their Indian counterparts, then they would have to stop broadcasting the events and have to keep interviewing the athletes all the time. There was a medal winner emerging every second hour for them.
We need to be realistic and plan to our strengths. Instead of planning for London 2012, we should start nurturing out forces for Olympics 2020. To plan is the first step, but to execute is the most important one. And who knows these things better than us Indians, we study the 5-year plans and Planning Commissions from Grade 1 to Grade 10. But as goes our basic instinct, we dream, rather to plan.
Going for Gold
INDIA Gold-1, Silver-0, Bronze-2, Standing-50
Achievements
First ever gold medal in an individual event (Shooting) in Olympic history of 108 years.
First ever medal in Boxing
So, the two lines above are enough to satisfy a population of 115 Crore?
Lets check out some other results:
KENYA Gold-5, Silver-5, Bronze-4, Standing-15
Facing ongoing political unrest from 2007.
ETHIOPIA Gold-4, Silver-1, Bronze-2, Standing-18
Raging shortage of food and riots.
ZIMBABWE Gold-1, Silver-3, Bronze-0, Standing 38
Destroyed by internal conflicts and facing isolation from International community.
Are we still satisfied with the results? We always compare ourselves with China, lets look at how they fared in their own backyard.
Gold-51, Silver-21, Bronze-28, Standing-1
It was not long-before, when China won its first ever Gold Medal. In 1984, Los Angeles Games, Xu Haifeng shooted his way to the history of Chinese Olympics as its first ever Gold Medalist. And after 24 years China stand firmly at the top of table with 15 Gold medals more than a distant US.
Some people might argue that they got the home advantage and automatic entry to all the games, but does that mean getting an entry itself guarantees a gold or for that sake a medal? When competing amongst the best of bests, gate-crashers rarely held their heads high.
We should look at China as a source of Inspiration, not enviously. We are, to be frank, no competition to them. Of course we did got the all important breakthrough by winning our first ever Individual Olympic gold. But, its about planning and more importantly executing it. The Chinese planned and targeted each and every medal available. They had a systematic and individual approach towards all the metal pieces on for grab. They started nurturing there talented individuals for this Olympics from Sydney 2000. And we talk about preparing ourselves for London 2012.
The truth is that India need to provide financial security to the athletes. Yes, we are obsessed with Cricket, why not be? Its the only game in which we compete in top flight. We have earned a Test Playing nation status, of which there are only 8 (Zimbabwe suspended for now) other nations in the world. The expectations are met more often than not as compared to any other game we play. India was the world hockey power house. The same sponsor support our hockey and cricket teams. There are no financial problems, of course dreams of over night riches are self made by players, which to be frank depends entirely on a game's commercial value. Ussain Bolt or Michael Phelps even after winning heaps of gold medals, won't be the face of there country for the next 4 years. Jamaica have a lot more than running athletes and as for US, it will be all over when Monday night football kicks off.
China adopted a very basic approach- catch them young. The US athletes were afraid of a Chinese athlete, who according to them looked no older than 14 years and when China showed proof of age, they have to, simply eat their words and criticise them (debatable though). But that clearly underlines one thing, other Olympic powers have acknowledged and are afraid of China's might.
Had the Chinese media went crazy like their Indian counterparts, then they would have to stop broadcasting the events and have to keep interviewing the athletes all the time. There was a medal winner emerging every second hour for them.
We need to be realistic and plan to our strengths. Instead of planning for London 2012, we should start nurturing out forces for Olympics 2020. To plan is the first step, but to execute is the most important one. And who knows these things better than us Indians, we study the 5-year plans and Planning Commissions from Grade 1 to Grade 10. But as goes our basic instinct, we dream, rather to plan.
Unjustified tolerance
When a government becomes too numb to something, the citizens are easy prey and more vulnerable. Thats what exactly is happening in India.
In very recent times, the country had suffered serial bombings in 3 religiously harmonic and growing metropolises and managed, somehow, to avert 1. After disturbing Jaipur, Bangalore and Ahmedabad were taken on sword by the terrorists in consecutive days and the third disaster averted in Surat the very next day. What does it symbolises? Has the Indian Government left the situation on itself? Or the terrorists are too smart for them to catch? Whatever it does, it surely concludes that the Government had taken a very unique stand on it, which no country and i REPEAT, no country in world can or will do- tolerance, UNJUSTIFIED TOLERANCE.
Agreed India is a country of huge proportions, both by size and population, but is that an excuse. We should look at how China has used it huge population as an asset instead of blaming it for failures and short-comings. With a population of 115 Crore people, pre-dominantly youth, the Government should use it as the best means of internal security. Instead of that, the head-constable on road pulls up a software engineer walking at 11.30 pm. His fault- he was walking hand in hand with his girl friend at 11.30 pm because there shifts are from 2 to 10 pm. Thats India and thats the alertness possessed by our Security forces.
Moreover, even a 5 year old, if hit by a bully on road, will retaliate and fight for it. But what does India do? India just condemn the bombings, correction, Condemn the bombings in strong words. When asked what were RAW and IB doing all the time? There is a foundry minted reply from the officials- We are trying our best to take stock of situation and will let you know after the investigations are over. Honestly, its not their fault. If allowed to work freely, the security forces won't take much of time to clean up India of these obnoxious weeds scattered all over, But that word- ALLOWED carries much weight in itself.
So why is India just tolerating? We don't have the capability to crack down on these terrorists? Or the Civil Nuclear Deal or perhaps the election season are much more important. We all know who's behind these persistent infiltration in our territories but yet, the Government is too numb to act. This silent, unjustified tolerance by the so called Biggest Democracy, Fastest growing Economy, makes one wonder- Are we not armed enough? Mind you, armed by means, not by weapons. We repeatedly pledge and re-ignite our vows on international scene to fight terrorism and yet at home we so often fail to prevent the now-so-common militant attacks.
Its plain simple, these terrorists have no agenda, no demands, no target. They hit and will hit wherever and whenever they get the opportunity. So its upon the Government to prepare the very assets of this country- the people of India to fight against these trespassing, correction VIOLENT trespassing. India have actually forgotten the best way of fighting any dreadious disease- PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE. That how we keep away from them. Its about taking a strong front and adopting a clear cut agenda. If we adopt the zero tolerance policy as by Russia or USA, there is no way any militant would dare eye us.
Yes, we are peace loving, but not cowards. Yes we like to solve situations amicably, but not at the costs of innocent lives of our own people.
In very recent times, the country had suffered serial bombings in 3 religiously harmonic and growing metropolises and managed, somehow, to avert 1. After disturbing Jaipur, Bangalore and Ahmedabad were taken on sword by the terrorists in consecutive days and the third disaster averted in Surat the very next day. What does it symbolises? Has the Indian Government left the situation on itself? Or the terrorists are too smart for them to catch? Whatever it does, it surely concludes that the Government had taken a very unique stand on it, which no country and i REPEAT, no country in world can or will do- tolerance, UNJUSTIFIED TOLERANCE.
Agreed India is a country of huge proportions, both by size and population, but is that an excuse. We should look at how China has used it huge population as an asset instead of blaming it for failures and short-comings. With a population of 115 Crore people, pre-dominantly youth, the Government should use it as the best means of internal security. Instead of that, the head-constable on road pulls up a software engineer walking at 11.30 pm. His fault- he was walking hand in hand with his girl friend at 11.30 pm because there shifts are from 2 to 10 pm. Thats India and thats the alertness possessed by our Security forces.
Moreover, even a 5 year old, if hit by a bully on road, will retaliate and fight for it. But what does India do? India just condemn the bombings, correction, Condemn the bombings in strong words. When asked what were RAW and IB doing all the time? There is a foundry minted reply from the officials- We are trying our best to take stock of situation and will let you know after the investigations are over. Honestly, its not their fault. If allowed to work freely, the security forces won't take much of time to clean up India of these obnoxious weeds scattered all over, But that word- ALLOWED carries much weight in itself.
So why is India just tolerating? We don't have the capability to crack down on these terrorists? Or the Civil Nuclear Deal or perhaps the election season are much more important. We all know who's behind these persistent infiltration in our territories but yet, the Government is too numb to act. This silent, unjustified tolerance by the so called Biggest Democracy, Fastest growing Economy, makes one wonder- Are we not armed enough? Mind you, armed by means, not by weapons. We repeatedly pledge and re-ignite our vows on international scene to fight terrorism and yet at home we so often fail to prevent the now-so-common militant attacks.
Its plain simple, these terrorists have no agenda, no demands, no target. They hit and will hit wherever and whenever they get the opportunity. So its upon the Government to prepare the very assets of this country- the people of India to fight against these trespassing, correction VIOLENT trespassing. India have actually forgotten the best way of fighting any dreadious disease- PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE. That how we keep away from them. Its about taking a strong front and adopting a clear cut agenda. If we adopt the zero tolerance policy as by Russia or USA, there is no way any militant would dare eye us.
Yes, we are peace loving, but not cowards. Yes we like to solve situations amicably, but not at the costs of innocent lives of our own people.
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