Mother India
India has come a long way since I left in 1991. Liberalization of the license Raj, a legacy left behind by the Colonial rule of 200+ years, alongside a systematic deconstruction of Nehru's decision to be a State dominated republic, and the incredible resourcefulness and hard-work of Indians have contributed to the stunning economic growth. Rising tides lift many boats, and is also true in India. The economy has created an enormous swath of hungry consumers, with pockets that can afford even prices that will shock many in the Western Worlds. A 3BR apartment (or flat) that costs USD 1,000,000 is not uncommon in metro areas. Given its continuing growth, and despite the global financial crisis, property values did not suffer as much (as in the US, for example). I have seen projections that call for India becoming the 2nd largest global economy, in 30 to 40 years. At that horizon, arguing about the potential rank does not have a definitive answer. To be candid, it really does not matter wether its #1 or #2. Well done folks, well done.
I am a US Citizen now, and have been one for many years. This does not, in any way, diminish my sense of pride. Most of my family is still in India, and my heritage gives me a unique perspective. I love India as much as I love the US.
Despite the astronomical leap of economic progress, or perhaps because of this very phenomenon, there are deeply rooted social issues that have not changed much, if at all. What follows is NOT a sweeping indictment of the nation, or of every man in India. Please do not slam me with hostile fire, for this commentary is not aimed at anyone. It is based on my observations.
Amidst all the glamor, glitter and boom time success stories, the singularity that stands out is how poorly Indian women continue to be treated.
While some Indian women have also achieved very high educational, professional and economic success, many (and in my mind even 1 is one too many) are regularly abused at home, or at work by a man - a boss, a brother, a father, a husband, or a son. Abuse comes in many shades, physical and emotional being the foremost forms. Some have a support network, and are able to walk away. Others do not, or can not. So, thousands of women suffer in silent agony each day, resigned to their fate. Or, waiting for the day they can walk away. At times that fate is paying 'the ultimate' price.
No one likes to talk about 'dark' issues. We have a propensity to bottle up, and not acknowledge that which is ugly in our lives. We want to pretend all is well when it is not. This is what we tend to do - compartmentalize.
I doubt India will ever achieve true greatness, until it faces the plight of its women. As a nation. Laws that provide protection to women exist, but we know that parliamentary (congressional) dictate, in it of itself, is acutely incapable of social reform. That has to come from within, one household at a time.
I long for the day. Always have, and will continue to do so. I have hope.
PS - I am all too familiar with violence against women in America. It is flagrant. And, it is rampant. It is a shame, and neither forgiven, nor ignored. I am also aware of the flip side of this coin, where men are the abused in a relationship. Regardless, real men do not abuse the women in their lives. Cowards do.
India has come a long way since I left in 1991. Liberalization of the license Raj, a legacy left behind by the Colonial rule of 200+ years, alongside a systematic deconstruction of Nehru's decision to be a State dominated republic, and the incredible resourcefulness and hard-work of Indians have contributed to the stunning economic growth. Rising tides lift many boats, and is also true in India. The economy has created an enormous swath of hungry consumers, with pockets that can afford even prices that will shock many in the Western Worlds. A 3BR apartment (or flat) that costs USD 1,000,000 is not uncommon in metro areas. Given its continuing growth, and despite the global financial crisis, property values did not suffer as much (as in the US, for example). I have seen projections that call for India becoming the 2nd largest global economy, in 30 to 40 years. At that horizon, arguing about the potential rank does not have a definitive answer. To be candid, it really does not matter wether its #1 or #2. Well done folks, well done.
I am a US Citizen now, and have been one for many years. This does not, in any way, diminish my sense of pride. Most of my family is still in India, and my heritage gives me a unique perspective. I love India as much as I love the US.
Despite the astronomical leap of economic progress, or perhaps because of this very phenomenon, there are deeply rooted social issues that have not changed much, if at all. What follows is NOT a sweeping indictment of the nation, or of every man in India. Please do not slam me with hostile fire, for this commentary is not aimed at anyone. It is based on my observations.
Amidst all the glamor, glitter and boom time success stories, the singularity that stands out is how poorly Indian women continue to be treated.
While some Indian women have also achieved very high educational, professional and economic success, many (and in my mind even 1 is one too many) are regularly abused at home, or at work by a man - a boss, a brother, a father, a husband, or a son. Abuse comes in many shades, physical and emotional being the foremost forms. Some have a support network, and are able to walk away. Others do not, or can not. So, thousands of women suffer in silent agony each day, resigned to their fate. Or, waiting for the day they can walk away. At times that fate is paying 'the ultimate' price.
No one likes to talk about 'dark' issues. We have a propensity to bottle up, and not acknowledge that which is ugly in our lives. We want to pretend all is well when it is not. This is what we tend to do - compartmentalize.
I doubt India will ever achieve true greatness, until it faces the plight of its women. As a nation. Laws that provide protection to women exist, but we know that parliamentary (congressional) dictate, in it of itself, is acutely incapable of social reform. That has to come from within, one household at a time.
I long for the day. Always have, and will continue to do so. I have hope.
PS - I am all too familiar with violence against women in America. It is flagrant. And, it is rampant. It is a shame, and neither forgiven, nor ignored. I am also aware of the flip side of this coin, where men are the abused in a relationship. Regardless, real men do not abuse the women in their lives. Cowards do.
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