Dear CD family,
Recvd. the following in mail, thought of sharing with you:
“THE WORLD’S BIGGEST EXERCISE IN DEMOCRACY”
NEW YORK TIMES READER COMMENTS ON INDIA GOING TO THE POLLS
April 15, 2009
It is truly the greatest show on Earth, an ode to a diverse and democratic ethos, where 700 million + of humanity vote, providing their small part in directing their ancient civilization into the future. It is no less impressive when done in a neighborhood which includes de-stabilizing and violent Pakistan, China, and Burma.
Its challenges are immense, more so probably than anywhere else, particularly in development and fending off terrorism—but considering these challenges and its neighbors, it is even more astounding that the most diverse nation on Earth, with hundreds of languages, all religions and cultures, is not only surviving, but thriving.
The nation where Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism were born, which is the second largest Muslim nation on Earth; where Christianity has existed for 2000 years; where the oldest Jewish synagogues and Jewish communities have resided since the Romans burnt their 2nd temple; where the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile reside; where the Zorostrians from Persia have thrived since being thrown out of their ancient homeland; where Armenians and Syrians and many others have to come live; where the Paris-based OECD said was the largest economy on Earth 1500 of the last 2000 years, including the 2nd largest only 200 years ago; where 3 Muslim Presidents have been elected, where a Sikh is Prime Minister and the head of the ruling party a Catholic Italian woman, where the President is also a woman, succeeding a Muslim President who as a rocket scientist was a hero in the nation; where a booming economy is lifting 40 million out of poverty each year and is expected to have the majority of its population in the middle class, already equal to the entire US population, by 2025; where its optimism and vibrancy is manifested in its movies, arts, economic growth, and voting, despite all the incredible challenges and hardships; where all the great powers are vying for influence, as it itself finds its place in the world.
Where all of this is happening, is India, and as greater than 1/10 of humanity gets ready to vote, it is an inspiration to all the World.
V. Mitchell, New York, NY
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Location: carl sagan's universe
Posted on: 26-04-09 08:10:53
Right on brother!
Montek Ahluwalia said the same thing when he was here on April 15. Many all over the world say the same thing, even I do, as I am sure you do, but that doesn't make news.
NY Times says it and man it makes news. Damn sad.
NY Times ain't the end of the world.
We should be sending out such commentaries made by columnists in TOI and other Indian newspapers.
That NY Times says it- don't carry much weight for me.
But will for many of the non Indians.
Nonetheless, good to know that the NY Times has put in a + word.
Quote:
Originally posted by sanjeevm
Dear CD family,
Recvd. the following in mail, thought of sharing with you:
“THE WORLD’S BIGGEST EXERCISE IN DEMOCRACY”
NEW YORK TIMES READER COMMENTS ON INDIA GOING TO THE POLLS
April 15, 2009
It is truly the greatest show on Earth, an ode to a diverse and democratic ethos, where 700 million + of humanity vote, providing their small part in directing their ancient civilization into the future. It is no less impressive when done in a neighborhood which includes de-stabilizing and violent Pakistan, China, and Burma.
Its challenges are immense, more so probably than anywhere else, particularly in development and fending off terrorism—but considering these challenges and its neighbors, it is even more astounding that the most diverse nation on Earth, with hundreds of languages, all religions and cultures, is not only surviving, but thriving.
The nation where Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism were born, which is the second largest Muslim nation on Earth; where Christianity has existed for 2000 years; where the oldest Jewish synagogues and Jewish communities have resided since the Romans burnt their 2nd temple; where the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government in exile reside; where the Zorostrians from Persia have thrived since being thrown out of their ancient homeland; where Armenians and Syrians and many others have to come live; where the Paris-based OECD said was the largest economy on Earth 1500 of the last 2000 years, including the 2nd largest only 200 years ago; where 3 Muslim Presidents have been elected, where a Sikh is Prime Minister and the head of the ruling party a Catholic Italian woman, where the President is also a woman, succeeding a Muslim President who as a rocket scientist was a hero in the nation; where a booming economy is lifting 40 million out of poverty each year and is expected to have the majority of its population in the middle class, already equal to the entire US population, by 2025; where its optimism and vibrancy is manifested in its movies, arts, economic growth, and voting, despite all the incredible challenges and hardships; where all the great powers are vying for influence, as it itself finds its place in the world.
Where all of this is happening, is India, and as greater than 1/10 of humanity gets ready to vote, it is an inspiration to all the World.
V. Mitchell, New York, NY
Nice letter and thanks for posting it here. Cheers.
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If you have a gun, you can rob a bank.
If you have a bank, you can rob everyone.
- Bill Maher
Quote:
Originally posted by investpro
Right on brother!
Montek Ahluwalia said the same thing when he was here on April 15. Many all over the world say the same thing, even I do, as I am sure you do, but that doesn't make news.
NY Times says it and man it makes news. Damn sad.
NY Times ain't the end of the world.
We should be sending out such commentaries made by columnists in TOI and other Indian newspapers.
That NY Times says it- don't carry much weight for me.
But will for many of the non Indians.
Nonetheless, good to know that the NY Times has put in a + word.
I think you missed the vital point here! This is not an article from NYT. It is a reader's comment in NYT. NYT or for that matter USA do not give a damn to India or Indian democracy. There are couple of CD members who get enthused by any positive news about India and rush to post on web site. Sanjeevm is one such person.
By the way, I do not consider India a democratic country measured by modern democratic standards. A country where there is reservation of more than 50% in higher education and jobs for vertain caste and religion is not democratic by any standard. Those who will jump on this observation, please Google and read ongoing litigation on affirmative action in US supreme court before doing so. It is toolong to paste here but arguments for and against are very informative. Hopefully, you will cometo same conclusion as mine that India is no democracy. Further, looking from practical point of view where most MPs are elected on caste affliation or religious bias (Read minority appeasement) can never be called democracy. India is a big joke.
Location: carl sagan's universe
Posted on: 26-04-09 16:45:06
Hi Nightmare,
The NYT and US don't give a hang not only for India but for any other country as well. They don't even care for Canada.
They only think they are where it's at.
Quote:
Originally posted by investpro
Hi Nightmare,
The NYT and US don't give a hang not only for India but for any other country as well. They don't even care for Canada.
They only think they are where it's at.
I Absolutely agree
Quote:
Originally posted by Nightmare
Quote:
Originally posted by investpro
Right on brother!
Montek Ahluwalia said the same thing when he was here on April 15. Many all over the world say the same thing, even I do, as I am sure you do, but that doesn't make news.
NY Times says it and man it makes news. Damn sad.
NY Times ain't the end of the world.
We should be sending out such commentaries made by columnists in TOI and other Indian newspapers.
That NY Times says it- don't carry much weight for me.
But will for many of the non Indians.
Nonetheless, good to know that the NY Times has put in a + word.
I think you missed the vital point here! This is not an article from NYT. It is a reader's comment in NYT. NYT or for that matter USA do not give a damn to India or Indian democracy. There are couple of CD members who get enthused by any positive news about India and rush to post on web site. Sanjeevm is one such person.
By the way, I do not consider India a democratic country measured by modern democratic standards. A country where there is reservation of more than 50% in higher education and jobs for vertain caste and religion is not democratic by any standard. Those who will jump on this observation, please Google and read ongoing litigation on affirmative action in US supreme court before doing so. It is toolong to paste here but arguments for and against are very informative. Hopefully, you will cometo same conclusion as mine that India is no democracy. Further, looking from practical point of view where most MPs are elected on caste affliation or religious bias (Read minority appeasement) can never be called democracy. India is a big joke.
And yet India (the sub-continent) has come this far hasn't it? Even if it is a joke, amidst all this morbid humour, things do happen and it shows. As for the involvement of religion in politics that may not ever go away.
Just remember progress is an ongoing process. You cannot ever draw a line and say, this is it.
What in your opinion is a flawless democracy? Care to share?
-----------------------------------------------------------------
If you have a gun, you can rob a bank.
If you have a bank, you can rob everyone.
- Bill Maher
