Developed India
On this republic day, I'd like to discuss something else. The concept has been on my mind since late last year . It's funny how we tend to think elections are a general thing but when they are not. Come to think of it, it is our one vote that goes on to decide the kind of governance we would have for five years. This elections, however, brings us to an important threshold not just in our life but also in threshold of India, a threshold that divides the best from the rest.
While it is essential to make an informed opinion based on the predictions of economists, the opinions of leaders and also the voices of businessmen from across the world. The global investment banking and investment management firm Goldman Sachs in 2008 claimed that India will be the second global economic superpower by 2050. Does being the "second best" bring about a mood of elation and pride? Ask yourself is being the second best enough? Is this what we as Indians would want? Is being second the best we can do? Shouldn't we aim to be the first?
At the Parliament of the World's Religions in 1893, Swami Vivekananda said that our future is built upon our past. Hence, it becomes doubly important for us to look as far as we can. We have to drink deep the eternal fountains that are behind us and after that, look and march forward to make India brighter and greater. Much higher than she ever was with a spirit of "Rashtra Devo Bhava" (My country is my responsibility). In 1930, shortly after the Dandi March, Mahatma Gandhi said that young men are the leaders of tomorrow and it is the young who have to be the salt of this nation. If salt loses its flavour, where shall it be salted? It is therefore important to find peace in the midst of turmoil, light in the midst of darkness and hope in despair. Do not underestimate the power of truth.
The voyage to being the best is not being undertaken for the first time. Statistics say that India was the global economic leader until as recently as 1800 AD contributing nearly 38.5% of the world's GDP. Then, in just 200 years, we have fallen below 6% today. If we treat these 200 odd years as just a temporary fall in the march of prosperity through millennia, we can shake off the dirt and march ahead towards the goal of a Developed India. It is the Indian civilisation that once extended from Indonesia to Persia and influenced many other civilisations such as the Greeks, Egyptians, Romans and the Chinese. We need to draw pride from this truly global culture. We need to take responsibility for the progress of this country and also the future of this civilisation.
Today, as we fight against each other, we need to arise again thinking of the spirit of oneness. Let all states and the people come together to work towards a common vision: the vision of a developed India. Did Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj fight only for the freedom of Maharashtra from the Mughals or this country whom He revered as his Mother? Think!!
Sacrifice for the country is not a pain but a privilege. Invoke the countless Indian Army jawans who lay down their lives for the freedom of our motherland. Now, it's our chance to rise above myopic goals and work towards a developed India. Let lions among men accomplish this task of honour. As Rabindranath Tagore in his poem said:
"Where the mind is without fear and the head held high,
where knowledge is free and the mind is led forward into
ever-widening thought and action.
Into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake..."
If the world has to be peaceful, the world has to recognise humanity as one family: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Science explains that this is Brahma Vidya. Indians are known to be the custodians of this knowledge. That's the best that India has to offer to the world. Therefore, we have a much greater responsibility in shaping the future of the globe. Everyone looks up to India and the best we can offer is effectively summarised in The Bhagavad Gita, widely recognised across the globe as the most effective book on management:
यत्र योगेश्वर कृष्ण: यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धरः तत्र श्रीः विजयो भूति: ध्रुवः नीतिर मतिर मम ||
Where dynamism and efficiency that is Arjuna are empowered with the depth of spiritual values that is Krishna, there the heights of prosperity, lasting success and fulfilling progress are sure to be reached.
We are the link between a great past and a grand future. Be proud of India's past and in the present, let us unite to work smartly with inspiration to build a glorious future of developed India. Let there be one vision and one mission of restoring India back to its original glory. This election promises that and the privilege of casting your vote is yours. Make an informed choice!! Mrityunjaya Bhava!
While it is essential to make an informed opinion based on the predictions of economists, the opinions of leaders and also the voices of businessmen from across the world. The global investment banking and investment management firm Goldman Sachs in 2008 claimed that India will be the second global economic superpower by 2050. Does being the "second best" bring about a mood of elation and pride? Ask yourself is being the second best enough? Is this what we as Indians would want? Is being second the best we can do? Shouldn't we aim to be the first?
At the Parliament of the World's Religions in 1893, Swami Vivekananda said that our future is built upon our past. Hence, it becomes doubly important for us to look as far as we can. We have to drink deep the eternal fountains that are behind us and after that, look and march forward to make India brighter and greater. Much higher than she ever was with a spirit of "Rashtra Devo Bhava" (My country is my responsibility). In 1930, shortly after the Dandi March, Mahatma Gandhi said that young men are the leaders of tomorrow and it is the young who have to be the salt of this nation. If salt loses its flavour, where shall it be salted? It is therefore important to find peace in the midst of turmoil, light in the midst of darkness and hope in despair. Do not underestimate the power of truth.
The voyage to being the best is not being undertaken for the first time. Statistics say that India was the global economic leader until as recently as 1800 AD contributing nearly 38.5% of the world's GDP. Then, in just 200 years, we have fallen below 6% today. If we treat these 200 odd years as just a temporary fall in the march of prosperity through millennia, we can shake off the dirt and march ahead towards the goal of a Developed India. It is the Indian civilisation that once extended from Indonesia to Persia and influenced many other civilisations such as the Greeks, Egyptians, Romans and the Chinese. We need to draw pride from this truly global culture. We need to take responsibility for the progress of this country and also the future of this civilisation.
Today, as we fight against each other, we need to arise again thinking of the spirit of oneness. Let all states and the people come together to work towards a common vision: the vision of a developed India. Did Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj fight only for the freedom of Maharashtra from the Mughals or this country whom He revered as his Mother? Think!!
Sacrifice for the country is not a pain but a privilege. Invoke the countless Indian Army jawans who lay down their lives for the freedom of our motherland. Now, it's our chance to rise above myopic goals and work towards a developed India. Let lions among men accomplish this task of honour. As Rabindranath Tagore in his poem said:
"Where the mind is without fear and the head held high,
where knowledge is free and the mind is led forward into
ever-widening thought and action.
Into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake..."
If the world has to be peaceful, the world has to recognise humanity as one family: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. Science explains that this is Brahma Vidya. Indians are known to be the custodians of this knowledge. That's the best that India has to offer to the world. Therefore, we have a much greater responsibility in shaping the future of the globe. Everyone looks up to India and the best we can offer is effectively summarised in The Bhagavad Gita, widely recognised across the globe as the most effective book on management:
यत्र योगेश्वर कृष्ण: यत्र पार्थो धनुर्धरः तत्र श्रीः विजयो भूति: ध्रुवः नीतिर मतिर मम ||
Where dynamism and efficiency that is Arjuna are empowered with the depth of spiritual values that is Krishna, there the heights of prosperity, lasting success and fulfilling progress are sure to be reached.
We are the link between a great past and a grand future. Be proud of India's past and in the present, let us unite to work smartly with inspiration to build a glorious future of developed India. Let there be one vision and one mission of restoring India back to its original glory. This election promises that and the privilege of casting your vote is yours. Make an informed choice!! Mrityunjaya Bhava!
Comments
Good take..
Richa