India is 60. My thoughts

Last updated on: August 15, 2007 at 2:47 pm by Desh Kapoor

India is 60. My thoughts 2007-08-15T14:47:29-05:00 Desh Kapoor

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I know I am a little late – I had no internet connection at my hotel for last two days – but I wanted to wish a very Happy Independence day to all today on the 60th birthday of India.

This journey has been amazing with great twists and turns. The optimism and tragedy of the early few years to the stabilization period of the 50’s and the wars of the 60’s to the political quagmires of the 70’s, the terrorism spectre and the cold war sanctions of the 80’s to the resurgence of the 90’s and a new look confident (brash?) generation of the new century – we have seen it all!!

Some say at 60 years we are like an “old lady” – a comparison surely influenced by that famous Manoj Kumar song “Dulhan Chali”. But really speaking from the strict Indian context – a civilization that is probably 6000 years old (or more), 60 years is a blip!

What we have done in this period is very miniscule. What can unfold because of our strengths and inadequacies is significant. Mir Jaffer and family probably never knew what it was letting unleashed on India for the next 250 years! Or Maharana Sangha would have thought that his loss to Babar would lead to several centuries of slavery for India and Islamic rule. How that changed the entire landscape of this region is there for everyone to see. In a matter of 600 years – a predominantly Hindu region was converted into a predominantly Muslim region. Where scientific temper and exploratory spirit ran through – religious fervor and fundamentalism is the main emotion from Afghanistan to Pakistan and in Bangladesh. As for India – there is unbridled hypocrisy in the name of secularism.

What we do from here on will affect the world. No one knows who will get to unbeknownst play that pivotal role of affecting the centuries of this land – it could be anyone. That is why everyone of us should be ready to not to be found wanting when that time comes. When we face a Babar or a Robert Clive. When one move will mean unlimited and abject poverty for the masses.

Just one person’s efforts may, on the other hand, lead to long term prosperity for masses as well. It could be anyone of us. So, everyone should be ready. We have a rich heritage of giants from the Vedanta ages who faced the truth ruthlessly, incarnates who did not hide behind the veil of faith but entertained and welcomed relentless questioning and skepticism of Arjun to deliver the highest of knowledge. We are a land where Swami Vivekananda could discuss any topic from Spirituality to Science (he was invited to be the first Head of Indian Insitute of Science) will the eloquence and facility of a Vedic or a Nobel Prize winner! Let us realize all that potential.

Finally, as Swami Vivekananda said – the potential to become God is in everyone and everything in this creation.. how much and what we manifest out of that bounty is upto us. If we are poor, it is what WE have manifest. If we grow to be rich and prosperous and happy.. that indeed will also be our own manifestation.

Our future is upto us!

India

Personal

Previous Post

August 15, 2007

Pakistan is the King of Fake Currency!

Next Post

August 16, 2007 India at 60: by VK

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Aarti Achievement and Leadership AfPak Africa Annual and Year-end Asia Audio Australia Behavioural Sciences Bhagwad Gita Bhagwad Gita Blogging Blogs Business Business Intelligence Business Strategy Cannes Careers Chanakya China Conservation Corruption Creative Daily Links Desh Poems Development & Welfare Devotional Audio Devotional Songs Drama Earth Economics Education Entertainment Environment Europe Everyday Quotes Featured Articles Featured Songs Finance Flickr Pictures Food Geo-Political Global Warming Globalization Health & Medicine Hinduism Historic History Humour India Indian Culture Indian music Indian Weddings Israel Issues Legal Link Love Minorities Misc Motivation and Personal Development Movie Lists Movie Reviews Movies Mumbai terror attacks Natural Disasters Nature News Outsourcing Pakistan Parenting Personal Philosophy Poetry Politics Poverty Quotes Recipe Regular Blog Post Relationships Religion Religious/Spiritual Audio Sciences Showcase Slideshow South Asia Special Stories Spiritual Quotes Spirituality Sports Stories Strategy Technology Technology Terrorism Travel Uncategorized US Video Women Women_s Rights Worship Yoga

Select a Month December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 June 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 September 2014 August 2014 January 2014 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007 October 2007 September 2007 August 2007 July 2007 June 2007 May 2007 April 2007 March 2007 February 2007 January 2007 December 2006 November 2006 October 2006 September 2006 August 2006 July 2006 June 2006 May 2006 April 2006 March 2006 February 2006 January 2006 December 2005 November 2005 October 2005 September 2005 August 2005

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does Proverbs say about a soft answer?

Select your answer to see how you score.

It starts a fight It turns away wrath It brings wealth It is useless