You can call me outdated, you can called me old fashioned, but the truth is, I am a hardcore nationalist. I am fiercely protective of my country's reputation. I know India is not Utopian, but I believe it has the power to be. We know our flaws and we definitely are improving. It may take a million years, but it will happen. And I do believe that.
What bothers me much is the new age 'American' illusion. "But USA is so cool!" I hear often. Yes, damn cool. If you still believe that it is 'the most developed, most advanced economy in the world', I don't know which era you are living in, buddy! USA is indebted, and its indebted bad. And guess who its indebted to? Yes, its us, the Asians.
USA has been an independent nation since the 18th century whereas we became independent only in the 20th century. That is two centuries late. But still, we are trying. We are trying to compete with America. And let me say this, we are competing well. Its just a few more years, and we are there. But the question is, will you be part of this change? Will you be there to participate in this revolution?
The concept of 'brain drain' has been existing forever in our country. There has always been an attraction towards the west. But, at such a crucial time, when India is stepping into a new beginning, is it really right to abandon your country, just for the sake of money and comfort and run away?
You will give me various reasons- India is too corrupt. Ever wondered why so? Because you made it so and so did I. Because our parents and grandparents and the generations before them made it so. But, if you hate it so much, then why are you not changing it? Is running away a solution?
Next you will say everything in this country is messed up- from the education system to the politics. Sorry my friend, but as I see it, its actually going in the right direction. We have an education system the Americans envy. Don't believe me? At least that's what Obama said. "We can't afford our kids to be mediocre at a time when they're competing against kids in China and India who are actually in school about a month longer than our kids," he said. And the politics. In which country is politics a noble man's profession? Yet there are some of our leaders, who in the past have had visions for our future, which makes one of the strongest economies in the world and will continue to progress. I won't ask you to join politics, but at least be a part of choosing the right leaders.
There are a million other reasons you could give me, and there are a million ways I can debate them. Then you would accuse me of wearing Nike, eating at McDonald's and watching Hollywood movies. Yes, I do all that. But, I wear FabIndia, eat tandoori chicken and love Bollywood movies too. There is nothing wrong in trying out a new culture or taste but its definitely not right to abandon what is ours for something that isn't.
Just give it a thought. Do you really want to leave your country or demean it for a country which in turn accuses you of "stealing jobs" from it? Do you not want your country to improve and reach the top? Help it grow? And if you still answer a 'no' to all these questions, dare not criticize my country. Because, you lose the right to comment on my country when you shun away your responsibilities.
*Thanks, Arpitha Desai. Jai Hind!*
