We
are a nation of startling contrasts. An
union of varied races, languages, castes, religions et al.. To put it openly –
a country of divergent groups of
people, stuck together by a democratic framework, adopted
constitution and a strong, disciplined military.
We
have -
1)
Opulent wealth
resting with one section of people, heartrending poverty roasting another
section
2) Strident industrial
development on one side, staggering, and struggling agricultural scenario on the other side
3)
Uncontrolled urban
development, uncared for rural areas
4) Massive medical
institutions, hospitals in cities and towns, while rampant malnourishment,
apathetic health conditions, abhorring infrastructure plague the rural
areas, so much so that a poor, unfortunate citizen had to carry his
wife’s dead body on foot for over 10 kilometers, for want
of an ambulance in Orissa.
5)
Conquered the skies
with satellites, whereas our villages and remote areas languish without adequate street lights
6)
Emerged as leaders in
the field of software, but millions walk without footwear
7)
Shining four lane
expressways, but deplorable potholed country roads
8)
Highly corrupt polity
and bureaucracy, ruling over a
submissive, tolerant and docile populace
9)
Women Goddesses
deified as Immortals in temples, while the common mortals are tormented, harassed at home, work spots and public places
10) Numerous
tax rates and structures, with wide
scale evasion
11) Been
blessed with many rivers and other natural resources, over which regional states
bicker and fight. The horrendous attack by Kannada fringe outfits on Tamils and
their properties at Bangalore and other places in Karnataka sent shock waves
throughout the country. The hooliganism had the stamp of indirect political
instigation as everything seems to have been preplanned malevolently and
executed with hatred. This unfortunate episode
has once again proved that all
high talk, rhetoric and sermons
on Indian integration are nothing but a farce and laughing stock. The mindless mayhem unleashed
on the streets of Bangalore is deplorable and highly condemnable. Bangalore’s image
has suffered a
beating, with insecurity plaguing the industrial houses and
business entrepreneurs.
12) Unity
in diversity as the official motto, contrarily on the ground disunity prevails
in Toto – what with the innumerable caste, communal clashes, regional
disturbances fuelled by river disputes, border tussles etc
13) Abundant manpower and skills, but unexplored
talents going unrecognized due to official and bureaucratic apathy
14) An array of native languages, house a multi lingual society, all unified by
a foreign language ( English )
15) A surging sense of patriotism and oneness exhibited
during an emergency and external threat, and an overt exhibition of disunity
during peaceful times.
16) Recurrent
political scams of gargantuan nature, enacted
without remorse or shame
17) Institutions lending at will to big
businessmen who default on repayment and even flee the country, while the poor
and middle class borrowers are physically assaulted and harassed by recovery
agents.
The
list can continue a bit longer. But it is time to stop.
The
ruling establishment at the Centre
should strive its best towards fostering an uniform, all round development in
the country, eschewing political differences
and work steadfastly for removing
regional imbalances.
This
is our motherland, and all the wealth that
She has, is to be
inherited, shared and
enjoyed by everyone
of us, cohesively.
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