India’s Greatest Moment in its History is Now
India today is the 12th largest economy in the world. Among large economies India is also the second fastest growing economy in the world after China. If this growth rate continues India will become the third largest economy in the world in less than 25 years. Indians particularly those who are young are optimistic and ready for the challenges that await them. There is idealism, nationalism and more importantly a can do attitude.
But why are some Indians grumpy and feel that India is deteriorating? Why do some Indians believe that we have a great past and the present is nothing worth talking about? Who are these people anyway and are their arguments valid? Let us investigate.
Invasions: Starting with Alexander in 326 BCE (about 2300 years ago) we have documented history that shows that India was a victim of constant invasions from land and from sea. Alexander the great (who was from Macedonia) was followed by the Kanishka (who was part of the Kushan Empire from Central Asia). Then the invasions by the Turks and the Mongols began followed by the Portuguese, British, French and the Dutch.
What is clear from our history is that Indian rulers by and large have been unable to defend our borders. I personally do not look at these invasions negatively. While it is clear that some of these invaders exploited India others greatly contributed to the history and fabric of India and made it the diverse nation of culture and people that it is today.
Can India be attacked and occupied by any nation for an extended period of time today? Probably not. The modern day Indian governments have done a better job of defending our borders and maintaining a credible deterrence than any emperor or kingdom has done in the previous 2300 years.
Myth of Dharma: Dharma is now a word that is very popular with those who hold conservative Hindu views. Some of them adhere to the opinion that India in its past was a peaceful and equitable society. According to them there was a time when Dharma, benevolence, sacrifice and ethics was more important than materialism, selfishness and regulations. This is a simplistic way of looking at the past. It is like saying that villagers are naive and innocent compared to the city folk.
Indian history contradicts the Dharmic view point. In the past 2300 years the Brahminical religions (which has roots in Central Asia) slowly tightened their grip on India. Along with it came the rigid caste system and its antidote Dharma. India today is littered with thousands of temples, fortresses and palaces that are all living examples of the materialistic lifestyle of these rules who were supposed to follow the Dharma.
Many of these rulers and their kingdoms almost went bankrupt or were taken over by other rulers because of their excessive spending. These rulers promoted and acquired paintings, sculptures and dances which are all material pursuits. Most of their subjects were not even allowed into these temples and palaces. Even if they were allowed most of the offerings were made in secretive languages like Sanskrit which most people did not speak nor understand.
Real issues like caste, untouchability, poverty and illiteracy were ignored by these rulers. You are more likely to lead a fair and equitable life in modern day India than at anytime during the past 2300 years.
Corruption: The one key issue that leads many Indians today to believe that the past was better is the corruption that exists in India today. I agree that it is suffocating. But we still have a functioning democracy. Our leaders are elected by us and therefore we are partly to blame for the corruption. We have a justice system to fall back on. There is a certain level of accountability.
Can you imagine living for hundreds of years under the same family without basic rights that we take for granted today? Can you live in a system where you pay taxes to the royal family which they will use as they please with no questions asked? One of the most startling figures is the fact that in 1942 the literacy rate of India was just 12%. How can such a great country have such a low literacy rate? Today the literacy rate is 67%. We should credit the democratic governments of modern India for investing in its people. This is something most of the so-called rulers who believed in concepts like the Dharma did not do.
I want to stress that India has a great past even with all its short comings. But the past was never as good as the present moment. There are a lot of individuals who are trying to use some of the negative aspects of India today to their advantage. They are trying to paint an unfair picture of modern India and its people and their achievements. They want to drag India back to the not so ideal past. These individuals are prisoners of their past and are quick to question the patriotism, motivations and intent of anyone who questions them and stands between them and their vision for India.
Related posts:
- India’s Rich History: Myth vs. Reality
- History of India: The First Indians
- Myth or Reality: India is prospering but not Indians?
- Corruption in India Masking Real Problems
- Ayodhya Dispute: Hindu History vs. India’s Future
Category: Culture & Religion
Hari,
My first visit here.. Fully agree with the post
Thank you.
Where was this blog till now!? Completely agree.
Welcome Indian Homemaker. There is no question that India is peaking like never before in its history.