What holds this great nation back

Guest Post

India is country which holds the distinction of having the second largest agricultural land in the world only after America. There is no dearth of mineral resources in the country whether it is iron, coal, manganese or limestone, we have enough of all these. Moreover, according to recent World Bank Report half of India’s 1.2 billion people are under the age of 26, and by 2020, it is forecast to be the youngest country in the world, with a median age of 29 . Ours is the oldest living civilization in the world with treasure of cultural heritage and civilizational values. Our country is lucky to have leaders of global standing in past as well as in present. People like Buddha, Mahaveer, Vivekananda , Gandhi and Nehru are born in our country who not only had influence on people of India, but also had great following worldwide.

Thus we have all ingredients which are required for making a nation great,  like physical and human resources, leaders who guided us on path of progress and values which make us humane and civilized. It is not that our country is not great but it far short of its rightful place in path of human progress.

Despite of having all these , there are many dark spots on the face of this beautiful nation which are shaping the perception as well as reality of our country. Still there  are 300 million people who are living below poverty line. Every year thousands of farmer do suicides. A country which had 25% share in world GDP and was the largest exporter of manufactured goods few year back, is struggling to find its position among top 10 in world trade. These are not the characteristics of the greatest civilization in the world. Everyday these realities intrigue me and many others who wish to see this nation again as world leaders in every aspect of life.

So where are we lagging behind? What all things which are creating friction for wheel of the progress ? Why are we not able to end poverty, become global manufacturing hub and gain our rightful position in Human Development Index?

There are many answers to these question depending on the way we look at the problem and possible solution. But according to me the problem lies in software. The hardware is pretty robust in our country. There are three biggest challenges which this country is facing : Castiesm, tolerance to injustice and corruption. I will be talking about last two in coming articles. In this article I will focus on the first one which is more relevant in today’s context due to politically charged environment.

I would like to explain the gravity of this problem of casteism through a story from Ancient India. We all know about the greatest warrior and brave soul Porus who fought against Alexander when he invaded India. Alexander was so impressed with his courage that he returned all the territory which he won from Porous and even gifted extra territory. The legend goes that it is this battle which lowered the morale of Alexander’s forces and they refused to fight further. If a small kingdom gave them tough fight then there are no chances of surviving against mighty Nandas.

But, many historians including the western ones believe that Porus could have even won the battle, had he been able to understand the very basic problem in his military administration. For our surprise the main cause of Porus’ defeat  was the casteism. His cavalry consisted of soldiers from upper caste while his infantry was having low caste soldiers. Both cavalry and infantry fought valiantly but they lacked coordination because upper caste soldiers did not want to fight along with low caste soldiers. Don’t you think that we are still losing many battle against poverty, corruption, hunger, malnutrition because of this same malaise.

This division of society on the basis of caste and religion become the most visible during season of election. We can find many candidates who divide us on basis of caste, religion and  region and capitalizing on the hatred generated out it. The caste identities are so deeply imbibed in us that we lose rationality in deciding the right candidate who can think for progress of nation as a whole.

There are people who are flogged and tortured in name of caste. We stereotype the people restrict their social mobility just because they belong to lower caste. We not only stereotype people but we  rank the jobs as dignified and non-dignified depending on which caste carried out that job in past. According to noted writer Sh. Gurcharan Das in his book, one of the reason behind India not experiencing the industrial revolution was that we see floor jobs/manufacturing with feeling of contempt. Because in past manufacturing was carried out by Vaish and Shudras.

We do not see the larger issue of hunger and poverty because before every election someone will come and make you realise that interest of your caste is in danger. People of other caste are taking your jobs. People of other caste are raping your women. For god sake please accept the fact that criminals are criminals. They are found across all the caste and religion.  It is really bizarre that people in our country protect even the most notorious criminals and vote a criminal during election just because he/she belongs to their caste.

There is nothing wrong in thinking about and working for betterment of the people belonging to your own caste. Because, in India unfortunately caste still coincide with class. There are high chances that people belonging to particular castes are poor and some of the castes are rich. Thus, people of same caste shares same economic background as well as problems.There is no problem in opening hostels or facilitating community marriages for poor of particular caste.

But, the problem arise when we develop strong in group feeling or to be specific ill feeling for other castes. When we start thinking that people belonging to different caste are not our own people. When we start giving priority to people of our caste and depriving others of their rights. When we justify violence and lawlessness in name of caste. When forget rationality and basic human values in name of caste.

Then, what should be the solution ? I don't know the real solution of this centuries old problem. May be with time we all will realize that above all we all are human being first. May be we will understand the fact that man and society came first and then came the caste just as a division of labor in Vedic period for convenience of man. May be someday we will  realize that man does not exist for caste but it is the caste which came into existence for comfort of man.

Many says that with education man become wise and rational. But rising casteism among educated people is not in consonance of this belief. We are using technology ( whatsApp, facebook ) to further reinforce the caste identities. But giving benefit of doubt I would say that it happens with every society or nation whenever it is in transition. I will go with Gunar Myrdal that ours is a prismatic society and it will take time to become truly modern. Till that time let us be wise. Let us do our own part to to stop casteism within our capacity and within our own means. Let us rise for humanity as well while rising for cause of fellow caste members.

P.S. This post is written in line with my insistence of inviting others to pen down their thoughts and enlighten me. Mr. Om Prakash is Bits Pilani graduate and is currently working as an IRS officer. Coming from rural household in Rajasthan he has closely observed these problems . I am thankful to him for not just giving an insight into what holds us back but also giving a foresight of where to look for giving India the position it deserves in world.