India, my country, my home; hence I get the right to make and build my own picture of what makes it India, what makes it tick, what makes my heart long for it, what makes me run away from it.
In America, they have a very strong quality, which anyone in the world can benefit from “They own their responsibilities”; be it at work or in life. If you have been assigned a task, than you would own it, it is your responsibility to finish not your boss’s.
Going by the same philosophy, I own my country, and have responsibilities towards it, to make it a better place for all of us. Did I do my part, and I have to say I did not. When living in India a year back, there were 2 incidents, which bought happiness to my heart, and tears to my eyes, making me realize what India is.
1st one, Nuclear deal between India and US. I am not a news junkie, but for those 2 days, everyone got transformed into one. At railway stations, airports, streets and shops, there was one channel, or to say all TV channels covered the same footage: live broadcast from the Parliament of India. Manmohan Singh’s coalition ruling party had lost majority as Left decided to take out their support as they did not believe India would benefit from signing the Indo-US nuclear treaty. It was a sad state that the ruling party was through coalition; you had to please all or at least come to a majority consensus to pass a bill. The live broadcast was shameful as it showed how educated our member of parliaments (MPs) are, and there is no decorum observed in the parliament. It showed how Indians love chaos, but there is an underlying order in chaos. There were speeches by either side to convince the other, some would lead to silence, some would have you laughing aloud, some would make you realize how secular India is. I was proud of a country where everyone’s opinion matters and can be heard. I was proud of a country where they can find order in chaos. I was proud of a secular, tolerant and democratic country. There is an unsaid pride among all Indians, that we are the biggest democracy in the world.
2nd one, My grandmother (mom’s mom Didima) started complaining about stiff neck and heart pain in the middle of night. This is in Chandanagar, about an hour from Calcutta, considered a suburb, where you would find more cycles and rickshaws than scooters or cars. We had to take her to see a doctor, but she had a stiff neck so transportation was a pain. From somewhere we found the number for ambulance operated by Lions Rotary Club, they were there in 10 minutes. It was the most basic service I have seen, but it was prompt response, the act of charity, which mattered. The doctor did Electrocardiogram, as my didima lay on the stretcher outside the office. This is what amazed me, portable EEG in India, in Chandernagar, this is when necessity leads to invention. Sometimes I loathe government hospitals, but these basic facilities are mostly loaded with very many patients, some good doctors, some OK doctors, but what it does is amazing.. it provides healtcare free or at some minimum cost of 20Indian Rupees to all those who need it the most. My didima did come back from one of these great government hospitals alive and recovered. I pay tribute to all the good Indian doctors who chose this life, who provide the most basic service for humanity with compassion. This paradox is what in my eyes India will always be for me.
How can good and bad be defined, these are in fact experiences which can even switch good for bad at times or vice versa. Is it not that reason that I love India, I want to live in India… and sometimes with in the next second you are struck by pollution, bureaucracy, attitude and many more problems which plague India.
Given everything, I am an Indian, I will always be an Indian, and I am very proud to be an Indian every moment of my life.
