Mera Bharat…. Two words which are very emotive for all of us. And most of us proudly say Mera Bharat Mahaan. But is it really so….can we claim that distinction? Most of us would say a definite… YES. Looking at some of the urban cities in India there is no doubt that India has progressed quite a bit in the six decades after its independence. Take a look at the National Capital Region and one would be likely to agree with the statement and proudly so. Advancements – social, economic, political – are abounding. People here are flourishing. High rise buildings, multiplexes, flyovers, infra-structural developments can be seen and we can be justifiably be proud of it. The income of an average person has also risen and so has his spending power. Urban Indians came together and made themselves heard loud and clear as they demanded justice for Jessica Lall, Priyadarshini Matto and Nitish Katara.. and they did it successfully too. The urban Indian is having the time of his life. NCR is not the only region in India that is flourishing. Look at Hyderabad, Kolkatta, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune, ….all the metropolitan cities can boast of inflow of international companies wanting to set base there and give employment to the Indians. So we have a lot of grounds to say… Mera Bharat Mahaan.
But there is a reverse side of this coin and this side is not as rosy … in fact it is positively ugly. India woke up to a bright new year with the news of the morbid sexual harassment and killings of in-numerable children….. and some women too…. by a maniac called Pander and his Man Friday. And the place … NCR…….one of the parts of India that we are so justifiably proud of. The nation witnessed the callous attitude of the UP police. The comment of it being a ‘chota mota crime’ by the CM’s relative was as shocking as the crime itself. Is it a reflection of the in-human attitude that we are developing towards fellow human beings and their mis-fortunes? I would definitely say a YES to that. The serial killings have left people gasping and has been made murkier with the possibility of organ trade also being thrown in. We started comparing the reaction of the UP police – their reaction when the son of Adobe’s CEO was kidnapped vis-à-vis their reaction when the common man registered complaints with the police regarding their missing children… who had been killed by Pander. The police as well as the politicians have shown their callous side… and how!!!!!
The callous attitude of the politicians has also been highlighted recently by NDTV. NDTV is currently doing a campaign titled ROH (Republic of Hunger). In its article date January 23, 2007 and titled ‘India grapples with hunger pangs’ it has emphatically pointed out that the ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) has failed in states like UP, Maharashtra, Orissa while Chattisgarh and Tamil Nadu have fared very well in providing food and health facilities to the under privileged children. And the blame has been laid squarely at the politicians door steps. NDTV has also published a separate article by Sutapa Deb titled ‘Rampant corruption in ICDS scheme in UP’ where it has been pointed out emphatically that the food for children are being used to feed the cattle – such is the corruption. So lakhs of children are mal-nourished since we have to keep the cattle healthy. How would you feel when you read a 112 page document titled ‘Hamara Uttar Pradesh Ban Raha Hai Adarsh Uttam Pradesh’ after you read the article by Sutapa Deb????.......
A similar contrast can be seen when I compare the spread of 1700 dishes on Annakut Diwas which was celebrated at the Akshardhaam Temple in Delhi to the beggar begging in front of the temple to fill his hungry stomach.
So in spite of the economic prosperity being witnessed by the Indians lakhs of people are denied the basic necessities of life like food, health care, security.
These are just tips of the iceberg. There are many more similar incidents that are taking place across the length and breadth of India. If I merely stated incidents which are closer home and are in sharp contrast to the rosy, prospering urban Indian. Do you still feel like saying Mera Bharat Mahaan??????
But there is a reverse side of this coin and this side is not as rosy … in fact it is positively ugly. India woke up to a bright new year with the news of the morbid sexual harassment and killings of in-numerable children….. and some women too…. by a maniac called Pander and his Man Friday. And the place … NCR…….one of the parts of India that we are so justifiably proud of. The nation witnessed the callous attitude of the UP police. The comment of it being a ‘chota mota crime’ by the CM’s relative was as shocking as the crime itself. Is it a reflection of the in-human attitude that we are developing towards fellow human beings and their mis-fortunes? I would definitely say a YES to that. The serial killings have left people gasping and has been made murkier with the possibility of organ trade also being thrown in. We started comparing the reaction of the UP police – their reaction when the son of Adobe’s CEO was kidnapped vis-à-vis their reaction when the common man registered complaints with the police regarding their missing children… who had been killed by Pander. The police as well as the politicians have shown their callous side… and how!!!!!
The callous attitude of the politicians has also been highlighted recently by NDTV. NDTV is currently doing a campaign titled ROH (Republic of Hunger). In its article date January 23, 2007 and titled ‘India grapples with hunger pangs’ it has emphatically pointed out that the ICDS (Integrated Child Development Services) has failed in states like UP, Maharashtra, Orissa while Chattisgarh and Tamil Nadu have fared very well in providing food and health facilities to the under privileged children. And the blame has been laid squarely at the politicians door steps. NDTV has also published a separate article by Sutapa Deb titled ‘Rampant corruption in ICDS scheme in UP’ where it has been pointed out emphatically that the food for children are being used to feed the cattle – such is the corruption. So lakhs of children are mal-nourished since we have to keep the cattle healthy. How would you feel when you read a 112 page document titled ‘Hamara Uttar Pradesh Ban Raha Hai Adarsh Uttam Pradesh’ after you read the article by Sutapa Deb????.......
A similar contrast can be seen when I compare the spread of 1700 dishes on Annakut Diwas which was celebrated at the Akshardhaam Temple in Delhi to the beggar begging in front of the temple to fill his hungry stomach.
So in spite of the economic prosperity being witnessed by the Indians lakhs of people are denied the basic necessities of life like food, health care, security.
These are just tips of the iceberg. There are many more similar incidents that are taking place across the length and breadth of India. If I merely stated incidents which are closer home and are in sharp contrast to the rosy, prospering urban Indian. Do you still feel like saying Mera Bharat Mahaan??????
