A few hundren years ago, there was a land called India. It was marauded by the Arab invaders and by the invaders from the East. They did forced conversions, they took the weath away, they broke the idols and burnt the holy books. Over a period of time, they assimilated into the conquered culture , and both cultures changed for ever.
A few hundred years later, the same land was conquered by the British. These conquerers, however, took money back to their homeland, and never assimilated with the conquered culture. They left a very rich country very poor. And they ruled for at least 2 centuries. During this time, they literally bankrupted the land.
Exit the colonisers, and within 60 years, the country was right on top of the IT revolution. In a recessionary global economy, theirs was among the few economies still standing (though weakening progressively) .
What is it about India, that makes us a Phoenix? May this country always remain this way.. but what is it?
A few hundred years later, the same land was conquered by the British. These conquerers, however, took money back to their homeland, and never assimilated with the conquered culture. They left a very rich country very poor. And they ruled for at least 2 centuries. During this time, they literally bankrupted the land.
Exit the colonisers, and within 60 years, the country was right on top of the IT revolution. In a recessionary global economy, theirs was among the few economies still standing (though weakening progressively) .
What is it about India, that makes us a Phoenix? May this country always remain this way.. but what is it?
8 comments:
i really like this concise history lesson, and i like your pride of country. you've made me eager to look up the word phoenix in the dictionary so i am more sure of your meaning.
it's always nice to visit here
♥
kj
I am not too sure if those ruling the country currently either have read history or have learnt any lesson.
resilience?
Wonderful observation. The country has an incredible power of assimilation.
A few hundred years ago when Britishers were yet to set foot on bhaarateeya soil, there was no India, there was bharatavarsha.
A beautiful read.
Kuchh baat hai ki hasti mitti nahin hamari
Sadiyon raha hai dushman daure zamaan hamara
Best,
A
Its the 'never say die' spirit :)
I live in Phoenix and I'll be damned if I can figure it out. Indians are very intelligent and are in demand for IT and tech jobs. Step 2 is for the Indians to demand a fair wage.
Hi kj: Thank you! Phoenix in this context means a country that rises from its ashes.
Chowla sir: Sarkaar ne humein banaya nahi.. humne khud ko banaya hai..
Hi G: Yes, resilience, methinks, a never say die attitude.. and i think, above all else, our value system that stresses on hard work, honesty, and mixes idealism with realism. I think our folk culture and stories have a rich learning for all of us. Life skills that we take for granted are actually a privilege and a heritage we should be proud of.
Hi గిరి : There was Bharatvarsha? Hmm.. our interpretations of history differ a little..
Hi A: Fantastic!! Thank you!! What a lovely sher!
Hi Peenuts: Yes. :-) How have u been?
Hi Phos: GREAT to see you here.. its not just the IT. The thing is, this country has been ravaged, time and again, in history, and yet, thankfully, it bounces back, not just to being a passing mention in human geography, but a country that most other people sit up and take note of. In the Indus valley era, we were an important trading and port civilisation. In the middle ages, we were a prime supplier of goods and therefore a rich country waiting to be colonised. Post independence, in 60 years, the domestic situation has gone to the dogs, wolves and hyenas, but again, our international perception has improved. It is that , that i m kind of thinking about..fair wages is another story..
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