China - Whose Problem Is It?

I wrote this after reading Tarun Vijay's column "2 am Call" on TOI's Web site. Mr Vijay was commenting on the Chinese snubbing India by summoning India's ambassador to China in the wee hours of the morning to register their displeasure at the Tibetan protesters breaking through security outside the Chinese embassy in India.

I know what I am writing below does not directly relate to India-China relations but what it does relate to is the subterranean causal factors of the intransigence of the approach to intractable problems and malaise afflicting the Indian nation state. Failure to stand up to China in this particular instance is an example of this.

The response from the Indian government and people to this insult was practically non-existent. This is indicative of India's meekness in tackling difficult issues both on the home and external affairs fronts. In my opinion, the problem is not just incompetent and inert politicians but lots of other factors. India is a democracy where the people choose their representatives, so the people have to share the blame for the non-committal, comatose state India is in with regards to taking ownership of India's predicament.

Indians have to wake up and not vote along divisive lines of caste, profession and lineage. This lack of awareness is due to lack of education, which is one of the root causes of the problems in India. Real change will not come from articulating India's malaise and their solutions on blogs, Web sites and newspapers.

I don't believe the NRIs vote and neither do the intelligentsia who feel cynically detached from the Indian political system because they feel that no one is worthy of their vote. Ironic, isn't it, since I'm doing exactly what I decry but my purpose here is a "call to arms" if you will, to those who have the means to bring about change.

Real change will come by fostering and promoting an inclusive educational, political and economical system whereby the poor and disenfranchised (in all respects) Indians' faculties of discernment and self assertion (economic, cultural et al) are strengthened so that consequently they become the drivers of change by heralding in a new breed of administrators and leaders who have the interests of India in their hearts and minds instead of their own parochial and provincial interests.

Who will actuate and implement such initiatives? Definitely not the politicians as it will actually mobilise the people against the continued entrenchment of the incompetent and effete political clique and dynasties. The changes won't be brought about by reciting slokas from Bhagvad Gita, or quotes from the hoary literary repository of India's scriptures and Tagores, to weary and starving Indian masses.

The change has to come from the people - you and me; and yes, the corporations and the rich can help with the means at their disposal but it is really everyday Indians who have to lead the charge.

I am advocating adoption of a few of the initiatives below:

1. NRIs and other people with means should adopt at least one indigent Indian child or family and invest in their education.

2. In neighbourhoods and villages throughout India, the prominent citizens should bring about changes in their circle of influence. This could be as simplistic as asking your maid to bring her children to your house while she does her work so that you can provide tuitions to her kids. We have to erase notions of class consciousness from our minds and only then can all of India present a united front to bullies like China on the outside and criminal politicians on the inside.

3. Accept that the problems of India are the problems of every Indian - not just the politicians and the armed forces. Let this acceptance transform us from apathetic cynics to change agents.

4. Protest against injustices in the non-cyber world as well. When something like the '2am Call' was brought to light, were there any protests from the Indians? If not, then the problem is with our disdainful and injurious apathy, rather than with the politicians. The politicians will have to listen if there are large-scale protests. If the vote bank is creaking and moaning, surely the creditors (politicians) have to wake up and take notice.

5. Engage in the political process. Encourage the honest, intellectual, patriots and intelligentsia to contest in elections and then vote for them. If you fit these categories then stand up in the elections yourself.

China is like a livid mongrel hurtling towards the big bone it has seen others chew and grow fat on, without caring about whether it's mutated. Rabid saliva falls on its own feet or on others and does irreparable harm on the way. The response of the West and other countries like India to China's avaricious hopscotch is like that of a poodle yelping excitedly with its eyes covered by its own hairs and its tail wagging reflexively.

China's arrogance must be tempered by the firm stand of other countries who impress upon China with words and deeds that progress and respect is a collaborative two way process. China may smother the dignity and self respect of its own people but it should not be allowed to do the same with peoples outside the jurisdiction of its territories and governance. India, for its part, must assume its responsibility as an emerging regional and world power to counter China's reckless usurpation of the territorial and attendant cultural and economic wealth that is in the rightful possession of other peoples. For this to happen, Indians have to stand up to enable India to stand up.

If India does not stand up to China it stands to lose more than what it has already lost to China such as Aksai Chin, sizable parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Kashmir.

It will lose a place that Indians can call home. Just ask the Tibetans what that feels like.