From Pity To Fear- The Times of India
From Pity To Fear- The Times of India
Once, western predictions about India's descent into anarchy or army rule prompted anger or embarrassment among educated Indians. These newer predictions, however, have led to a rising tide of self-congratulation. Our own answer to Time, India Today, carries cover stories with titles like 'Housekeepers to the World' and 'Global Champs'. And this morning's newspaper tells me that 'India is moving fast to become global economic power No. 1'.
Those older anticipations of India's demise were greatly exaggerated. For the Constitution forged by our founding fathers allowed cultural heterogeneity to flourish within the ambit of a single (and democratic) nation state. However, these celebrations of India's imminent rise to
power are premature as well. Despite the manifest successes of the new economy there remain large areas of poverty and deprivation. Only purposive state intervention can correct these imbalances; and the state as it exists now is too corroded and corrupted to act with much purpose. It was mistaken, then, to see India as swiftly going down the tube; and it is mistaken, now, to see it as soon taking its place among the elect of the earth. India will merely muddle along in the middle — as it has always done.
Once, western predictions about India's descent into anarchy or army rule prompted anger or embarrassment among educated Indians. These newer predictions, however, have led to a rising tide of self-congratulation. Our own answer to Time, India Today, carries cover stories with titles like 'Housekeepers to the World' and 'Global Champs'. And this morning's newspaper tells me that 'India is moving fast to become global economic power No. 1'.
Those older anticipations of India's demise were greatly exaggerated. For the Constitution forged by our founding fathers allowed cultural heterogeneity to flourish within the ambit of a single (and democratic) nation state. However, these celebrations of India's imminent rise to
power are premature as well. Despite the manifest successes of the new economy there remain large areas of poverty and deprivation. Only purposive state intervention can correct these imbalances; and the state as it exists now is too corroded and corrupted to act with much purpose. It was mistaken, then, to see India as swiftly going down the tube; and it is mistaken, now, to see it as soon taking its place among the elect of the earth. India will merely muddle along in the middle — as it has always done.
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