Firstly- there are two kinds of NRI’s or PIOs who whine about india’s problems. The first is the NRI that whines with self-thinking, needy sort of considerations…where he is frustrated directly because of the inconveniencies to himself per se. This type of NRI/PIO has developed a sort of detachment from the Indian foundation, and chooses to view India through he lens of a first world citizen. He sees the deficiencies, the cracks in the system, as what they literally are – problems. He does not question the problems, or pore over the cause-effect aspect of the flaws or even try to ponder the solution. He is quick to highlight the problems and is quite ready to let go of that sentiment of adaptability that is badly needed to survive within the Indian system. He is willing to do this because he is a “visitor” to india, in every sense of the word, physically and emotionally. I have met several well to do Indians who reside in india, and are still “visitors”, in the sense of their detachment from the Indian system, and their condescending attitude to the true spirit of india (in its rawest form, with all the holes and cracks).

When the above type of NRI/PIO whines and whinges, I feel like slapping them and telling them to bugger off to US, UK, Canada, Aus or wherever they live the life of a glorified corporate slave.

Which brings me to the second type of NRI/PIO (and I like to think I’m one of them). This one too clearly sees the deficiencies, the failings, the inefficiencies, the obvious misery. But this one feels a sense of frustration, not because of the sheer individual inconvenience caused on a practical plane, but because of the feeling of helplessness that despite the whole “India Shining” show, the reality is that there is much yet to be done, much to be repaired, much to be learnt and much to be taught. This NRI feels a sense of desolation that despite the country possessing millions of educated, genuine, well meaning individuals, the system is still so flawed. This NRI feels the genuine deep rooted sense of loss that a parent feels as they watch their talented child throw it all away because of “bad company”, lack of vision or just bad luck. This NRI wants to help, he wants to motivate, he wants to help make his country a better one, but he is also confused as to how he can do it, and amidst that confusion is an ever growing sense of resignation to the vagaries of the Indian system, a system that rewards those who manipulate, those who grab rather than ask, those who corrupt rather than adhere to rules, those who bypass the system rather than trod it, those who view and practise life as “eat or be eaten”. This NRI is joined by the millions of well meaning Indians who share the same sentiments, the same sense of desolation, the same sense of regret, the same acute frustration.

What is the solution – obviously there isn’t one easy one. At a high level, the below need to, at the very least, be implemented:

1] Implement a more secure and honest election process, at all levels. Get more voters from the educated segment (as this demographic is woefully under-represented in the voting spectrum). Perhaps restrict voting rights to only those with 8th / 10th standard pass (to limit the possibility of “uneducated” voters who’s votes can easily be bought off). The combined affect of this might be that we see less of the literate, corrupt thugs coming to various levels of power.

2] Re-vamp the judicial system…we need to have laws that are in sync with modern judicial requirements and considerations. We also need tons more judicial staff, to clear the massive backlog of cases. With a more efficient judicial system, accountability and enforceability will be easier to accomplish.

3] We NEED an autocrat or bunch of autocrats at the top who are able to enforce (top-down) the various rules, regulations and boundaries that define a successful system. Western countries are where they are because of this simple concept of accountability and enforceability. There HAS to be a “danda
in place, whether a physical one (jail, capital punishment), or a financial one (fines, penalties). Democracy in itself is a farcical concept, especially for a cultural/social system with such complexity, diversity and variance such as India. I have absolutely no problem with a bunch of leaders sitting atop the hierarchy and making tons of money….but let them enforce a system of governance that allows for efficiency, accountability, enforcement and equitable allocation of rights.

4] Mobilisation by the media. Why do we, as a nation, tend to focus on the rare and statistically insignificant instances of success, when simultaneously ignoring the more relevant and infinitely more important cases of failure??? Why do we glorify the tiny proportion of IIT and IIM grads that happen to get the massive salaries…but we ignore the thousands of universities that provide sub-standard education. Why do we glorify the shiny IT campuses in b’lore, hyd and gurgaon, but superficially gloss over the pathetic public infrastructure just outside of the private campuses?? Why does our media not continually highlight the many obvious symptoms of failure??? Perhaps its because such news doesn’t sell….the average public doesn’t want to read this, they see it everyday, and have seen it since they were born. But how else to reach out to the junta and remind them that it is NOT ok to accept this lying down, NOT ok to condone things the way they are. People underestimate the power of public opinion; it can be hugely influential factor in all matters of governance, social behaviour, private/public activity and as a mechanism to enforce public shame on wrongdoers.

Ok, I tire now, enough of ranting.

At the risk of sounding sadist, im actually quite happy that even Americans are getting a taste of their own medicine in a foreign land!

you know what? I think you are right in a way that we are wasting our time just making retorts at each other! All of us (I think) are contributing in some way but how about making a collective effort? You seem to be sincere about your commitment to make India a better place and I am sure you already have some great ideas….why not share them with us and let’s see if we can, in a small way, help make a difference!

Regards.

@AD: I agree, his reply was a complete waste of time, but there’s no harm in trying to get someone to see the error of his ways. At most, my effort will be a complete waste of time as well.

2)”How can this country change? There is probably no sudden solution. People’s attitudes towards the nation need to change, and they need to start getting a bit more involved.”

We just keep giving such bullshit while the country “rots away”, as you said. The key is to do what you can within your power instead of wasting time writing about what the problem is, which was what I was trying to say. Because everyone knows what the problem is. It’s just that no one bothers to do anything about them.
3)What am I doing?
I am a member of the very youth whom you detest(?) so much. I don’t say I am a deshbhakt, nor am I an exactly worthy citizen. But atleast I don’t complain(!).
Anyway I do have plans on how to contribute, but that’s later…

4)The cause of my angst is that it’s become “cool” and fashionable to ridicule/criticize/rubbish anything Indian, often without any facts or logic, and without any visible urge to make a difference. My ire is directed particularly at the Indian privileged section, which includes NRIs. Such people may leave. I wasn’t specifically referring to NRIs, urban people in general.

I see this has turned into a n vs. 1 contest, with several feathers having been ruffled and with a lot of accusations made and there is a lot more I want to say, but I am not going to waste my breath and degrade myself.

If only all this energy was seen in actually building the nation I’m supposedly banishing you from.
(I mean, just look at this reply of mine. It’s just a waste of time, isn’t it? )