Tuesday, September 28, 2010

There is more to life than simply increasing its speed

After 5 to 6 years of gap, I was visiting India. The eagerness is always there as what is changed and how well the country is progressing as we read about it all the time on the net.

All this makes real sense when you actually land in the country and observe things closely. As I was passing by from one city to the other, I felt if I had started blogging daily (provided that I had the net accessibility all the time), I had so many stories to tell but then in mind I had thought of one liners which I will make a list of to express what I observed and felt about the New India and its people.

As we all know that growth and its diverse impact goes parallel and hence there might be justifications for many things but then at what cost? I will make the list and would like to hear from others too as these could be one observation and comment but it could vary from people to people. Let’s dive in…

  • The speed of progress is going so rapid that at the other end if anyone is dying there is no action to it.
  • Replica of west is what east is changing towards – why?
  • Malls are the theme of the country – but then why take away the India out of it?
  • Constructions everywhere whether it’s the malls, metro rails or even houses – with poor housing facility, transportation to the common people and to add to it pollution of all kinds whether air, sound you name it.
  • Progress of a country but people are suffering due to the environment – for whom are we creating?
  • Looks like there is a race and we have to win no matter what – even if at the cost of the lives of people.
  • There is no feeling for each other, neighbor or so – everyone is in the rat race and want to reach the sky – I don’t care even if I am crushing someone’s throat as long as I am moving on the right path.
  • It seemed like there is a barometer of who is rich and how can one be richer – the show business is so much that it is already getting into the minds of next generation.
  • Kids evaluate situations based on money in mind, as the schools also they go shows the class system as who can achieve to get admission and you cannot!
  • Surprised to witness the thought process of two kids who are raised in two different countries – one talks of safety and one talks of affordability.
  • Man has reached to the moon, plans to buy and sell property on the Moon yet we are stuck with our caste and religion and the differentiation with the mankind.
  • Country is doing everything to make sure the standard of living be as same as of western countries – from one aspect it is good that brain drain will be stopped but the way it is being done needs some planning and preparations.
  • Real talent and skills are dumped on the side track – no one cares for anyone’s talent as long as one is able to fulfill others requirements – what’s in it for me?
  • The kind of feeling and sentiments people have developed outside of the country – is missing as if the heart is completely removed from the body.
  • Metros are either busy building malls or fly-over and metro rails – in the name of these constructions politically all tops are enjoying the benefit already
  • Poor is still poor and the rich is trying to be richer – where is my developed India?
  • In all these, the true culture still exists in the hearts of people as I was witnessing the Ganpati visarjan (Lord Ganesha Idol immersion in the sea), the unity, the love and cultural aspect evolves the depth and closeness of it in people. I did experience the sentiments while the people are going with the procession – the sadness that after visiting us for 10 days Lord Ganesha is departing from us – is a sad part.
  • The people in the forces are taken care that’s what I am proud of my country and the government.
In the end, all I have to say is I still long for my country and would like to settle somewhere, that’s not metro and where it’s not too backward under-developed place. I want to live in the heart of the country where all these malls have not taken over yet I have the internet connectivity to be able to be connected globally with my friends and relatives. I long for that place in India and would love to reach back to the roots where I come from. As all the rivers no matter where they flow at the end they all join together to make a big waterfall!
“Speed provides the one genuinely modern pleasure” ~ Aldous Huxley

9 comments:

Suresh Kumar said...

Welcome to India!

The one liners were very good but also sadly true. But I feel my small city still hasn't lost much though it is in the same road.

rauf said...

that looks like Bangalore. If it is Bangalore you have every reason to complain. Once beautiful city ruined by progress. i was there last week and my eyes started burning as soon as i reached there. My city of Chennai is none better. And no less polluted. Saved by the sea breeze to an extent.

What do you expect ? Bullock carts, snake charmers, cows cow dung, mud walls, thatched roofs all over India ?
Yours is a typical NRI attitude.
Nothing remains the same. There will be changes, progress development, which come at a price.
heavy price.

Why shouldn't we have Malls, Metro rails, roads, highways and Expressways ? If there is money, there will be construction. Even the agricultural income finds its way to the city.

The problem is, We the Indians living in India seem to be confused about progress. We don't seem to learn from the ill effects of rapid progress in the west.

Any way the environment series i wrote few years ago is titled 'Speed'

rauf said...

please don't worry, Malls or Metros, we still believe in myths.

Dawn said...

@ Suresh Kumar: Which city is that - would be glad to know about dear.. :) - thanks for understanding with the post.
Cheers

@ rauf: Dear...please don't take it as NRI - stuff but the truth is that I have come after 6 yrs and found a big change - it was good to see malls coming up in 2005 which did make me feel that this is for good but in 6 years now when I see people talking about malls coming up and they say Madam - no one goes there because not many shops - or you get everything in other mall so why bother here...and all these - so are we making the right judgement of what a city needs and how much based on the population?
As much as any Indian wants all NRI's want their country to progress but with a bit of intelligence...we can learn from others as we are making these changes by looking at west...!
The amount of pollution and the cry of people in India about unable to reach in office in a legitimate hour or so...all these is part of it - but I hope the Metro Rails will reduce all this....we can say let's wait and watch if we succeed in what we are saying to achieve.

I sincerely thank for your genuine comments here - thanks for sharing it :)
Cheers

Deepak Gopy said...

Hi :)
Nice to see you after a long time.Hope you are fine.
Your observations about India are 100%accurate.
Btw Are you basically from Kerala??I am asking you because there is a sticker in Malayalam in one of your pics and Image of House boat.

krystyna said...

Glad to see you again, Dear Dawn!
I understand your longing for the homeland.
I also was not in my country for 10 years
and I know that a lot has changed and progress in many areas.
But at what cost?
Very accurate and true are your comparison.
Progress does not always mean
human welfare.

Thank you for sharing
and many blessings to you and to your homeland India.

Dawn said...

Deepak Gopy: Thanks dear I am happy to hear from you after a long time. Hope all is well at ur end. Recently I visited India and Kerala had been a major part of my trip and hence you will see that in my pictures too :)
Yes, my parents live in Kerala.
Cheers

Krystyna: Thanks dear! You can understand the feeling very well. I am sure many may think it otherwise but if you give a different angle thats when they realize what value is being missed while adding many other elements from west.
God Bless You and Your Family dear
Cheers

Raghu Ram Prasad said...

How the man is changing from one form to another...yes it is good...but see the poor people also. nice blog

krystyna said...

How are you my dear friend?

Many blessings and best wishes to you Dawn!

We are all different. Don’t judge, understand instead!!!

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