Oct 15, 2010
 
India is ranked the third most influential country in the world because of its growth in economy and technology, infrastructure and workforce production. Many have tried to change the face of India. But has India really changed from deep within? What is that which blocks India from realizing Kalam’s ‘Vision 2020?’

India is blessed with the largest number of natural resources in the world. It is also rich in population. There are many who wish to bring its culture and traditions to the fore. But most important of all is the fact that despite 60 and more years of independence India still remains the same at the grass roots level. The young India is not oriented enough to choose the way that will facilitate India’s actual development. The judiciary is doing fine coming to the rescue of key issues with prompt response.

Development is possible. But it is primarily the politicians who confuse the people by mixing religion with politics. Why has the Indian system remained the same? Who are we to blame?

We cannot totally blame the politicians, because it is we who elect them to serve our land, seldom demanding anything from them once they get elected. We just fulfill our obligations and sit still. All this hampers the progressive march of our growing nation.

So then, there are the major issues that need introspection at the grass roots level (core issues):

a) Educational flaw
b) Lukewarmness to injustice
c) Unresolved divisional society
 

Educational Flaw:

The education system in our country today has changed for the worse. It has begun to shut the natural creative thought process in children. The only goal is to be bookworms to produce photocopy of what you swallow. Indian children are not being allowed to raise their voices in classrooms. No one is encouraged to think beyond the course material. If there are too many questions the teacher often shuts up the student in a hurry to finish the portion.

Eg: How many colours are there in the rainbow?
Ans: Seven
Why are they different?
Ans: Because of their wavelength.
 
No one wishes to go further and ask what does this phenomenon teaches us humans? What is its significance in our life, our earth and for our nation? There seems to be no analysis ever and no instances of disagreeing with the teacher. Anything and everything is to be accepted. No one seems to takes the matter out of class.
 
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Lukewarmness to Injustice:

Indians seem to have a sober attitude to injustice. This comes from the casual environment that has existed around us for decades. Injustice has been borne with by the dalits, the adivasis since time immemorial, and that has made us thick-skinned and apathetic. It is nothing but what is to be accepted and lived with. “Come on, let’s just move on” seems to be the philosophy of most people.

Don’t most of us lie about our age when we buy a bus or a train ticket, claiming to be five years less than the actual age? Don’t we get caste certificates for school or other purposes by paying small little bribes? This has naturally been observed and absorbed by innocent children who are given to understand that 'anything goes.' We actually don’t care to fight against unjust structures and values of various officials and offices.

“Just chill chill, just chill,” the song of the Hindi movie ‘Race’ seems to be the mantra of today's populace towards injustice. "Why fight when no one else has questioned?" seems to be the unanimous response of most citizens.
 

Unresolved Divisional Society:
      
We are taught from childhood to respect our cultural, traditional and religious value systems. Caste seems to colour each and every aspect of the cultural ethos of our country. ‘Fate’ is the key word that is accepted by the majority of Indians. Cultural and religious beliefs have strongly been rooted in the psyche of most citizens. It is a sorry sight to see parents tell their children during celebration of feasts that those others who do not celebrate as they do are different from them.
   
Elections reveal the true colour of the above aspect. There's bias regarding minorities. Dalits vote for dalits, Thakurs for Thakurs, Reddys for Reddys, Vokkaligas for Vokkaligas, Lingayats for Lingayats.
   
When we choose a cable or a mobile connection do we really see caste or status to select Airtel, Tata Sky, Vodafone, Idea and so on? Don’t we choose that which assures us the best service and the best offers? Then why vote on the basis of caste.
 

Conclusion:

Our mindset needs a change for the better, for a better India. Outer development without inner transformation of the Indian core/psyche is not worth praising. The ‘Suffering Bharat’ must rise. Our children should be better equipped not just to acquire knowledge but must imbibe an analytical mind that views and reviews issues of concern. Corruption and division of society based on caste will ensure that India remains the same at the core.
   
Our filmmakers seem to focus their works on the above issues but have at most times been driven by the demands of entertainment and have not been able to encourage people to bring about change.

We need a renewed attitude to change India at the core. Honest and young, hardworking and broad-minded individuals need to come forward to heal the Indian psyche. Working hand in hand to develop the undeveloped Indian core is the immediate need when we speak of development.