State of the Indian State: Scant Thinkers Two Corruptions And Three Epidemics: Solving Those and Making It a World Leader

Almost parallel to it being serially and as a matter of fact(ly) ruled by the Muslims, British, Marxists and then by globalisation, Mark Twain's favourite country, India, that according to western pundits was destined to doom after freedom through its 'polytheism' as opposed to Pakistan with its monotheism, finally came up with 'India shining'.

Unlike the 'minister with portfolio' of now-defunct Non-Aligned Movement membership that would have rebuffed Bush's, 'Either you are with us or with them', albeit 'without a portfolio' a sincere reciprocation, now made India member of the BRICK nations; less prestigious only to G8.

As if globalisation made cosmetic industry land there, this 'poverty-stricken', ethnically, linguistically, religiously and economically diverse nation, reminding its pre-'Battle of Plessey' days, suddenly looked beautiful and futuristic. Getting a shot on the arm, Indians even talked of leading the next century.

But then, as if tracing what goes up must come down, it is now on shaky grounds within the BRICK nations. Almost parallel to that, while some of its ordinary denizens see India as corrupt and await present Gujarat Chief Minister Modi to rescue them as a PM, adding moss (reasons) to the gathering momentum, one of its brighter ones even says India should not be a world leader.

In this melee, being talked about as much as UK's weather, although all know about troubles of India (not the solutions though), systemising troubles, an effective solution is aired here.

LACK OF PHILOSOPHERS/THINKERS

With Indian entrepreneurs showing their might as 'India shinning', its doctors sustaining UK's NHS and its IT graduates sustaining the Silicon Valley, it would almost amount to blasphemy to say India lacks thinkers. But then, reminding 'ruled by outsiders', and as if disbelieving 'Freedom alone brings free thought', India after independence has shown very few, if any, thinkers. This is said because the brighter ones mentioned above, in simple terms, would be contented with thinking in terms of ‘two plus two equals four’ as trained, but not offering originality by philosophically questioning 'Why not three or five?'

Unlike the Africans, who grumble about 'Bible in our hands and land in the colonisers’ hand', post-colonial Indians appear contented with exchange of drop in GDP from 23% to 3% with colonisers given national railways and international language.

Although it showed its brilliance in placing U.S.A.-educated Dalit Dr B.R. Ambedkar on the constitution drafting chair, almost showing a Munchausen Syndrome and only to regret later, it rejected 'uncultured' American's constitution and copied that of the former master: the British. As if to compensate however, its dream world, Bollywood, would copy from Hollywood.

Unlike the U.S. and French revolutions, it used religion to the till during its revolution, and almost consequently even vivisected the country according to faith. Additionally, it made its political leader, Gandhi, a spokesperson for Hindu beliefs. But then, seeing Hindu philosophy – pluralism – similar to Semitic philosophy - doctrines, and then grabbing a time when few parliamentarians were present, it ditched that aid and declared the state secular. While this made the Hindus sad, it unashamedly continued with preserving Hindu chores in government/political behaviour. This didn’t make secular ones happy either. Offering reservation for ten years, though it tried to uplift the persecuted Dalits (untouchables), it created elite Dalits and continued to aid them, and not the really persecuted illiterate Dalits.

Contented with coloniser-written history and therefore perspective, and with illiteracy in Sanskrit not mattering even to be a top historian unlike Latin for Roman historian, native perspective saw darkness alone and heart saw inferiority. It seemed like a century was enough to wipe out history from the Indian mind.

No wonder, parallel to being accused of disregarding regular history, its professors teach alone, write little. Digging into the past being an anathema and status quo being the rule, West alone at times revisit India to enlighten the masses of the darker sides of its past. Idolised leaders like Nehru and Gandhi who were lovingly called 'Chacha' and 'Bapu' respectively suddenly become controversial figures. As if reflecting that ignorance of the past and the loss of originality, the 'only' rectification of the past the free Indians seem to think of would be to change the names of Calcutta, Madras and Bombay to Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai respectively.

Although it made it a religion and does well in cricket, while bagging only few bronze medals that it did in Olympics (2012) despite being a country of a  billion was bad, relishing that as an achievement, was even worse.

As a continued trend of ignorance, its fourth pillar – media – that espouses freedom of speech would ascertain Sonia Gandhi's sacrifice in her not becoming India's PM. As if embarrassing them and its barristers, who should have done so, this time it would be an Indian, albeit with western connection (Ex-Professor of Harvard Dr Subramanian Swami), who would apprise its President of its legal difficulty and save India from both embarrassment and legal trouble later. Incidentally, although having majority didn't make her a PM, not having that didn't stop Nehru being the Indian Congress' candidate for the first PM post, either.

Although not brilliantly eloquent and coherent, Indians chat and are known to offer views that can't be taken as a bad sign for progress. But then, with those attached to emotions, and most discussions ending in RSS and Cast, political talks, at least and at times, are prohibited in Buses. Almost reflecting that, TV discussions are not always without exchange of interrupting emotional outbursts that amount to incomplete conversations in dinner parties globally.

Bereft of their own history and relying on a borrowed history, many Indians neither know about India's contribution to the Modern Civilisation nor how their forefathers developed the ubiquitous techniques of using zero, Yoga and Meditation.

THE THREE EPIDEMICS - TERRORISM, MAOISM AND RAPE

With Pakistan's existence and its army's opulence needing external enemy, and India needing an external cause to blame, its terrorism-suffering cities see more blame on Pakistan for training terrorists and less training on defensive forces to lessen reoccurrences. No wonder, its city-dwellers aren't entirely safe. And, forgetting Chinese army's once in a blue moon visit to its hills, separatist terrorism in North East and in Kashmir add to it to form a terrorism epidemic.

Although India, that accuses Pakistan, alone knows what fourteen thousand Nepalese-killing Maoists were doing in its land, its own Maoists don't make its villagers safe either. Despite killing more than the terrorists, extending all over the country to form a Maoist epidemic, and its PM Man Mohan Singh acknowledging it as the country's biggest threat, actions simply reflect death of 'unimportant' villagers. Although not quite like the 'Reduce to ground zero and start afresh', what Mao did to China, its milder form ruled over intellectually-fertile East Bengal, and retarded it.

And when its traditional patriarchy met modern laxity in law and society, the imported Sexual Revolution became Sexual Revolution Plus here. This has given rise to the third epidemic: rape epidemic. As if it badly needed to double up, its political capital Delhi has also become the rape capital. Although not quite as bad as in South Africa or Congo, suddenly women and children feel unsafe here.

THE TWO CORRUPTIONS:

1. POLITICAL

Although prided as the largest democracy in the world, with Nehru undemocratically using Gandhi's veto to become its first PM candidate despite losing to Patel (three to twelve votes), its political corruption started from day one.

Giving credit where it is due, although Military might hasn't taken over and this country with many languages, cultures, faiths and euthenics hasn't disintegrated despite Western predictions, its parliament probably has shown more shows than goodies.

Although 'majority in office' is unhindered and power transition is smooth (main reason why democracy is good), with opposition resorting to bulling through slogans and walkouts to press their way, 'majority rules' isn't quite so. In the lack of presidential system, coalition politics don't make things easy, except for reporters looking for juicy stories. 'Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown' said Shakespeare. Unease is more here.

While secret horse trading in other countries sees overt bags of cash in parliament here, feasting on the delayed justice, and philosophical and powerful logics like 'Innocent till proven guilty' or 'Anybody can sue anybody before elections', its election brings almost 25% of MPs with serious criminal charges.

But then, with 'loop of audit' being not acted upon, those happenings approach adultery in the West as 'Not good but it happens'. While politicians aren't respected, as if bitten by the history bug, respected ones prefer status quo.

Mesmerised by the newly-gotten franchise, although its fourth pillar stalwarts loud the denizens right to vote and its ability to 'topple' disliked rulers, voters have followed tradition, and convincingly voted to oust government once only: Indira Gandhi after Emergency.

2. ECONOMIC

As if aided by, 'As is the king so are the people', unlike in the higher echelons in the West, corruption is everyday reality – a culture – here. With law enforcers being corrupt and courts offering delayed and at times corrupted justice, lessening of restraining fear of God amplifies fearlessness here, and money speaks louder. And when the latter isn't enough, as if silence reigns in, lethargy and frustration climb and enthusiasm falls. When work is less, chat is more and chance for a work culture is less. 

When attempts are made to alleviate suffering, reminding stepwise profit slices peaking Asian spice price in medieval Europe, Rs 10 alone reaches the common man when Rs 100 is allotted at centre. With rulers and ruled both being corrupt, and change through ballot, not revolution, changing slogans alone, fatalism has grown. Although not as bad as in Pakistan where Brits are said to pay their taxes, while ordinary cheats stash cash at home, totalling 1/10 problem (above) solving trillions mega cheats stash cash in foreign banks. While latter is big, loss through incomplete constructions and less utilisation resources since freedom is enormous.

SOLUTION-

Being law abiding and progressing in the West, and producing 'India shining' in less corrupt environment locally, Indians are not uniquely corrupt. They simply lack the fear factor that tames airing of Homo sapiens’ survival traits as in the West.

TAMING ITS PEOPLE

Although fatalism in the Indian mind is understandable, with the pathology now identified, surprisingly a single mantra can act as a panacea. However, though this can make it an economic power, adding more alone can see it as a world leader.

Possibly never thought of before, India simply needs to spend considerable amount of its wealth - possibly billions- to glamorise law education and dot itself with 'millions' of courts and its functioning accessories (police and jails).

This way justice will be quick, seen to be done, used more and with faith when needed, and cheaper. Working well even when the fear of the unknown (God) lessens, bringing about fear of social stigma and punishment, this fear of the known restrains people. All institutions including state having well-thought-of, progressive and futuristic laws, they need little change but more adherence. Disregarded laws will now be adhered to and work well. Plans will consequently work, constructions finish on time and productivity will increase. And when statistics climb up, enthusiasm butts in, competitiveness increases, futuristic visions set in, and ambition skyrockets.

Although presidential system removes coalition unease and lessens occult horse trading, above solves even this parliament's ills. Till then however, if accused MPs are made to come clean six months post-election through fast track courts, that will lessen criminals in the temple of democracy.

With corruption-laden inequity enticing Maoism, while the mantra lessens neo-Maoists, it made efficient forces neutralises the brainwashed.

Although Sexual Revolution is out of its reach, it can certainly lessen more elements of Sexual Revolution Plus and convert rape epidemic to incidents. While change in economy will help North East and adding change in law will help Kashmir, adding inevitable change in discipline, technology and intelligence-gathering will lessen all terrorisms. The inevitable, mistakes made by having just few billion brain cells and genes more than monkeys (that we all have) can be lessened by completing the 'loop of audit'.

With it producing 'India Shining' despite corruption or 'in spite of government' as the opposition says, a tamed, corruption-'free' India can become an economic power. This will make it compete with China as it did before the Brits and even climb up to G8 nations.

To be a world leader, however, it has to give something original - as done by the West. For this, beyond urging its professors to jot their experiences and knowledge in books, it has to tame its intellectuals. With original alone and not duplicates/copycats being respected, almost like its meditation technique it has to look inward for originality. While knowledge of Persian and Sanskrit will give it a brush with its recent original history, that of Sanskrit and Pali will enlighten this nation of its earlier past.

While this will add historic identity to the present boarder identity and match the Chinese identity enthusiasm, use of its own pluralistic - theistic and atheistic - perspectives will beautify the inferences by coming up with more accurate interpretations.

With its recent past being painful but present non-Hindus being innocent and even of Indian descent, a touch of Nelson Mandela's South African way will enhance peace and progress. Stretching its multiple perspective technique, it has to tell us how it came about zero, yoga and meditation that has changed the world. When it gives the dugout happiness that today's world badly needs, then only the formed economic power will match the giving West and therefore be regarded as a true world leader when the latter declines. This time, a blameless leader that is.