Comparing apples with oranges!

Conversations with co-passengers in buses, trains and, now aircrafts have now become an ‘Indian’ way of life.  What start out as a casual banter about the weather usually escalates to animated ‘reflections’ on the ‘state of affairs’ – both economic and political.  And also brings out the C and D words!  ‘How China has it all right’ and ‘how India has had to compromise at the altar of Democracy’. Interestingly, this has been the course of conversation for people from all walks of life – from the unschooled to the erudite, humble to the haughty, roadside stall owners to colleagues and friends in the Government! While one would silently hear this out, I, completely disagree with these thoughts!

Firstly, the idea of comparing ourselves with another isn’t quite healthy.  And secondly, democracy is India’s pride! 

A recent article by Yasheng Huang of MIT makes great sense. In his article, he shows how for each successful authoritarian East Asian nation, there is another that fails.  Similarly, he trashes the idea that India has failed economically because it is a democracy.  Pre-1990s, a constrained India grew at 1 to 2%. While a more ‘open’ and ‘liberal’ India, post-1990s, grew rapidly. On a similar note, a recent book attributes the success of the Silicon Valley to its ‘rain-forest’ ecosystem, much like the laissez faire, while a completely regulated, planned, disciplined and authoritarian system may lose most innovations and choke passionate creations.

To bring home my point, despite the challenges, more and more nations have embraced democracy — from 20% in 1960s to 65% nations now becoming democratic.  It thus seems more plausible and probable that China would gravitate towards us, than the other way around.  Critics have pointed out that China was already richer than India to begin with. Also, the ethnic homogeneity of its population along with a temperate climate, make it better disposed for economic growth, as compared to the diversity and tropical climate of India. Here too, I prefer to differ.  The freedom struggle, the Indian Cinema, cricket, dance, music, IT, politics and spirituality, have all contributed to the ‘Indian pride’.

Interestingly, Ashutosh Varshney points out that nearly 85 to 90 per cent Indians say they are proud of India, which is next only to the people of USA and Australia!   

India launched its unmanned satellite to Mars recently.  What is amazing is that this project was completed in a record 15-months time and in a budget of under $75 million!  This is the essence and USP of India, and has further enhanced the ‘Indian pride’.  Again, there are comparisons with China, given that so far only the US, Russia and EU have succeeded in Mars exploration.

Moving from space to housing, the ‘cradle of space sciences in India’ — the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) — we have more reasons to celebrate. Tomorrow is PRL’s founder’s day. 

Sixty-six years ago, Dr Vikram Sarabhai, father of the Indian Space program, was instrumental in formally establishing PRL at the MG Science College in Ahmedabad.

Growing up on a staple diet of these conversations about India, I noticed a stark difference over the years. From a tone and tenor of complaint, frustration and anger, the young India is increasingly articulating hope, fraternity and aspiration. Possibly, the terrible ‘mind-sets’ are giving way to the emerging, beautiful Indian mind!  May the Mars mission succeed and be a real harbinger for India’s stride to her rightful place of a true, universal and ethical superpower in human history.  As Max Mueller, a German scholar, very aptly stated – “If I were asked under what sky the human mind has most fully developed some of its choicest gifts, has most deeply pondered on the greatest problems of life, and has found solutions, I should point to India.”

The author is a Harvard educated civil servant and writer, now working in the education sector