I am saddened by the responses. We are talking about Indian citizens. Does it matter that their cause is being espoused by Maoists? Can we deny our collective responsibility for our country’s failure to ensure a life of minimal dignity for hundreds of millions of our citizens? The destitute Aadivaasis of Chhattisgarh don’t have the luxury of ideological battles. Nor do they have a choice of champions for their cause. They take what they get. A prosperous India must mean a land where everyone has enough to meet their minimum needs of food, shelter, education and health. It must also mean a land where everyone has a voice/ say in how our government is run. A vote once in 5 years is not democracy. From the responses it is clear that those who have written in are people who have a positive outlook; the hope of a bright and prosperous future. They are also people with a sense of national spirit. This spirit is meaningful only if it is inclusive. If we want India (and Indians) to stand tall in the world, we must strive to increase the “height” of all. For, even the tallest among a tribe of pygmies are short by global standards.
