If I were to pick two things out of his 10 that I find absolutely correct:
1. No access to historical documents 2. Neglect for the environment:
Paranoia About Maps (I wanted to become a cartographer and gave up the idea thanks to the near zero possibility of an entrepreneurial opportunity in India in the field), No Photographs and No access to historical documents stem out of a paranoid sense of insecurity in the Indian governance system.
Historically, Indians abused history. We are the worst recorders of history. All the major historical investigations were conducted in India by the British. Indian contribution to history is hagiographic paens to kings like Prithviraj Raso or Ain-e-Akbari. We have no rightful claim to historical studies. Neglect of environment is widely visible. Bad sanitation in cities is especially a clear indicator. Environmental concern is imbibed in Hinduism (Vriksho Rakshati Rakshitaha) and yet the government never enforced environmental safeguard apart from mild messages on TV and railway stations. None of the Indian rivers contain water that is potable. All lakes in India are polluted. Priorities are mixed up.
i think the differntial rate system for tourist places is present in many other countries. One such experience is Thailand where tourist ( any ) has to cough up 3-4 times higher. Sometimes he pays for place whwre locals have free access
Most points are debatable. I understand the frustration. However I must point specifically at the mention of racial discrimination part. did u say the foreign tourist pays 10 times more? well I wished it was more, did someone tell you that as Indians we have to pay several amounts in visas to visit one of their country for couple of hours. As an international traveller, I can tell you the amount of money and more importantly time I have spent to get visas for various countries. So please think before you write!!
Its heartening to note that the majority of the readers responding to this article have done so positively - they see the article as a balance sheet of where we are today and a way to improve it going forward.
For all the others and there are many of them, why get touchy and emotional about the facts the author has pointed out? Why look at the author (who is also a renowned defence/ strategic affairs analyst of the country) in a blinkered "he is a foreigner" kind of way? Change begins with understanding the need to change. The author is just trying to initiate that change. If we cant see that..then thats just too bad for us Indians.
Dear Claude Since you have chosen India as your place of residence, you have every right to express your anguish. I can add ten more 10 things to your list. However, it would be nicer to suggest possible ways and means to overcome these drawbacks. Babudom has led India to disaster, so also the attempt by influential people to corrupt the judiciary and democratic ethics. To start with let us list out 10 things that you and I love about India: 1.Kind and caring peope,2.Respect for women,3. Respect for teachers and elders,4.Respect for parents,5.Love for poetry and literature,6.Respect for statesmen like Gandhi,Abraham Lincoln,Nelson Mandela,Bernard Shaw,Willy Brandt,Subhash Bose, Nehru,Sardar Patel,J.R.D.Tata and the like 7. Respect for scientists like Einstein,Ramanujam, Satyen Bose,Meghnad Saha,Raman,Bhaba,Sarabhai and the like 8.Spiritual leaders like Buddha,Kabir, Shankaracharya, Ramakrishna, Vivekanand, Guru Nanak, Raman Maharshi,Mata Amritanandmayi,Tulasi, Meera, Ajmeer Baba,9.Artists like Saigal, Amir Khan, Bade Ali Ghulam Khan, Bismilla Khan, Ravi Shankar,Nargis, Lata, Kishore, Rafi, Asha,A.R.Rehman,players like Tendulkar and Dravid 10. Freedom of expression K.Mallick
