Regardless, here it is:

As a New Zealander that has Indian Origins that has worked and lived in India, and also worked and lived with Indians in several situations and locations (Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philipines, Bangalore, New Delhi, Gurgaon)I can relate to many of the issues raised by Chris Prabhu and also those mentioned by those that were refuted his posts so passionately.

I consider myself a proud New Zealander (as well as proud of my Indian background and Indians generally) and certainly do find myself getting feeling defensive about comments/impressions that others have about the more negative aspects of my country and origins, but when I flick off the chip that has lodged itself on my shoulder more often than not their comments are intelligent observations that I myself have made of other countries I have been to and I can see that there is significant truth in what they have said.

Whereas, it could have been put more diplomatically, I agree in principle with Chris’s main points (or at least what I perceive were his main points) and I also agree with alot of what many others have said in response to his comments.

Newflash: Being proud of India and achievements by Indians (Modern industries/technology parks, long and distinguished history, strong community bonds, top class education etc…), and still accepting that India has serious ongoing social issues; third world levels of poverty, corruption and a growing gap between the have’s and the have nots that has many poorer Indians being exploited by local businesses/fellow Indians and not just foreign Multinationals – is not a case of having to choose sides on a battlefield as these two points are not mutally exclusive.

All countries have negative aspects to them and it is not being disloyal, unpatriotic or even unkind to acknowledge the bad alongside the good.

My experiences of India (first in 1999, my most recent experiences being in the last year or so) have very clearly shown two very different India’s – one is high tech, affluent and has most, if not all, modern conveniences that any first world country can offer, and the other India is definitely way down the other end of he spectrum with people living hand to mouth and not sharing in the India’s successes, vast wealth and resources. Instead they are largely treated as second class citizens and whereas the middle/upper class levels of wealth are steadily increasing I do not see any of this flowing down to the less fortunate within India. Millions of families living in unhygenic conditions and suffering from malnutrition is something no country can be proud of, and to deny that this is a reality in India is a clear a case of ignorance that I can think of.

For me, success for India to be truly proud of will be when a more even distribution of wealth is to be seen across all sections of Indian society. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t expect India to eliminate the rich/poor divide – no country in the world has succesfully acheived this – but if India is truly going to be considered as a first world country then it has to get to the point where there is capacious bridge that joins the world of the haves and the have-nots so that those with the motivation, ability and determination can follow a clear path from their villages to a good education and ultimately a well paid job. At the moment if this path even exists it is fraught with too many barriers and dead-ends and few if any ever make it to the bridge let alone cross and make it to the side of the “haves”.

To achieve this goal is not to conform to “western standards” it is basic humanity.

I am happy to say however, that the lamb curry was very tasty.

Note: I realize two hours isn’t a big deal (we were once delayed 12 hours), but when with someone from the outside community, I’m always concerned if they have a negative impression.

The moral of the story is: We’re all willing to risk flying on aging airplanes if it means we can save some cash!

If you have written some good jokes, please post or direct me to the web site. I’m always looking out for good comedians… I mean, humourous people.

M. nam

However, I do also think that Moornam is perhaps reading a little too much into the whole “Inshallah” thing.

Oh Lord – your response was as lame as a RSS wallah’s khaki-shorts and knobbly knees and insecurity complex – get over your obsession dude. One thing you have proved is that bigots tell the worst jokes – your wisecracks are so embrassing.

No – Pakistani muslims say it as an impulse. I’ve rarely encountered Indian muslims use religious greetings in secular situations where non-muslims may be present. One one occassion an Indian woman greeted me with SalaamAlaikum, and I returned it with “Ram-Ram“. I don’t know why, but throughout the rest of the party she avoided me. Not that I’m complaining…

Inshallah, one day you will understand that and lay off the snide Sulekha Hinutvaisms masquerading as insight. Mashallah.

I love mashed potatoes!

M. Nam

How connected are we if we can’t evoke some reason for our existences? How fundamental is that?

The news media has been hyper sensitive to separative thought lately. How much of it has affected and effected us in thought and our own words?

Be more open minded and aware.

Your response to MoorNam was absolutely spot on – its amazing how out of the most innocuous thing a Sulekha Hindutvadi’s Islam bashing receptors turn on, isnt it?

It’s just a phrase dude. Muslims say it as an impulse. I think its rather lovely. If it is an indicator of fundamentalism practically every Pakistani I know is a fundamentalist, which they’re not, but by your reckoning, who has flown once on PIA and is suddenly an expert on Pakistani society, they probably are.

Inshallah, one day you will understand that and lay off the snide Sulekha Hinutvaisms masquerading as insight. Mashallah.