Are Indians afraid of China? It appears so when one considers the ruckus created by the media over the alleged Chinese incursions in Ladakh. It appears like the Indo-Chinese war of 1962 has left a scar in the Indian psyche.
The Indian Prime Minister and chiefs of the Indian armed forces had to intervene and clearly tell the media to shut up and stop getting hysterical. The Indian Air force chief says the Indian air force strength is one third of that of the Chinese air force.
Why are things today as they are? The obvious explanation is that China is a stronger economy and growing at a rapid rate. True but why? Because it is an authoritarian state and things move faster in that country. True again. But any other reasons?
The patriotic feeling of the Chinese. That feeling is strong and aggressive. The ordinary Chinese citizens trust their government and feel that it is doing everything to further their country's cause.
In contrast Indians are wary and distrustful of their leaders and politicians. And with a good reason. Most care little for the country. All they want is to fill their personal coffers. That is the biggest problem in India today. Anyone who does illegal things and becomes rich is respected. Nobody is bothered that these were ill-gotten gains. There is a certain cynicism amongst Indians. The thinking is that the system is corrupt and earning money the legal way is impossible.
Those who twist the system and move up the social ladder is lauded. Honesty is not appreciated. The main reason for this is the bureaucratic-socialist system followed by Nehru and Indira Gandhi. It gave rise to a culture of mediocrity and corruption. The best Indian minds left the country and prospered abroad.
Things have changed after the economic reforms of 1991, but the culture of cynicism remains. The government should move faster and reform to allow the energies of Indians to flow. Removal of controls and bureaucracy will automatically reduce corruption. Only merit and hard work will earn money. That is the India we want.
The Mandalism, reservations and communalism is sapping the energy of the country. Caste, religion should not be the criterion. Only merit and hard work.
It should only matter that we are Indians. Nothing else. Not caste, not religion, not tribe.
Such a India will be able to give a hard stare at any country that tries to harm India's interests. Be it China or Pakistan.
