Home and the World
Sometimes a change in perspective helps us see newer worlds – and, occasionally, some nuances even in the comfortingly familiar. Twirling the kaleidoscope every once in while gives you many more patterns to gaze at in wonderment. Out here, I hope to see the world through Indian eyes, and, occasionally, provide from my current station in Hong Kong an outside-in perspective on all things Indian. If I don’t go cross-eyed in the process, I’m sure to have loads of fun. And I hope you will too.
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In barely a few hours from now, just such an earth-shaking event will unfold in Beijing, but this time the mood will be festive: China will showcase an event, complete with tanks, missiles and air force jets piloted by female aviators, to mark the 60th anniversary of its founding as a modern nation-state. There will also be floats commemorating China's successes in many realms - and cultural festivities. It promises to be a grand spectacle. (More stunning pictures here.)
Any way you look at it, the past 60 years have been a remarkable period in China's modern history. As I noted here, on China's 60th birthday, the industrious Chinese people have much to be proud about: their country has been dramatically transformed by their blood, sweat, toil and tears. And, in turn, China is influencing and transforming the world in many ways. The near-unanimous verdict appears to be that China will inevitably "rule the world" someday soon.
Not every aspect of China's rise is, of course, inspirational; we'll talk about those another day. For now, suffice it to say that for all its downsides, there are still at least '5 things to love about China', particularly when seen from an Indian perspective.
And on this, their big day, there are just three words that 1.3 billion Chinese people want to hear.
Happy birthday, China!
