Mary in India

The French guy to my right says, "Wow you're American, and you read? That's a rare sight." I wanted to slap him for saying that. Not that I care that people stereotype Americans, it happens. I try not to stereotype Indians but of course I am guilty of generalizations as much as the next person.

Anyway, speaking of generalizations! The first chapter of this book annoyed me. It was reading like another big 'pat on the back' to Incredible India, or as Remi calls 'masturbation of the ego'. This attitude is so common here that it can really piss you off. The complete lie Bollywood sells with almost every movie it makes (always the most fair skinned Indians dancing on clean streets or driving fancy cars on empty roads), to a simple drink commercial showing young kids shopping at a mall. Though these commercials are geared towards all of India (because yes, even slum dwellers manage to sneak electricity for their tiny TVs) they still paint a picture that I wouldn't call accurate for the "middle class" Indian. This is not what India looks like at all. The only real and widely seen movie that paints India accurately would have to be 'Slumdog Millionaire'. And if you ask any affluent Indian what they thought of this movie they'll tell you "It's all wrong", "India isn't like that", blah blah. Wake up call to all you Indians, Yes! This is what your country looks like! Which comes back to my point, India and especially young India, views itself falsely. They have this idea they cling to of becoming the next 'super power', (which I've already voiced my opinion on in another post), they believe this so blindly that they ignore all the huge issues still plaguing their country. As if it doesn't exist. They seriously believe in the fairytale they've conjured up in their minds.

This book explores some definite masturbation of the Indian ego, but it also is sprinkled with some large doses of reality from (who can only be described as) a highly intelligent man. Though he cannot hide his unbiased opinions at times, and not all of it I agree with, he does give me huge insight into the average Indian mind. Why Indians are the way they are, how they evolved over time, and why their priorities are so darn crazy to me.

"Indians are extraordinary sensitive to the calculus of power. They consider the pursuit of power a legitimate end in itself, and display a great astuteness in adjusting to, and discovering, the focus of power. They respect the powerful, and will happily cooperate or collude with them for personal gain. In the game of power they take to factionalism and intrigue like a fish to water. Those who renounce the lure of power are worshipped, not because their examples are capable of emulation, but in sheer awe of their ability to transcend the irresistible."

- Pavan K. Varma

He also discusses how in Hinduism there is no real ultimate sins (karma yes, but sins no), which is why as a society that treasures power and status over anything else, can easily justify the means to an end. Pleasing a God does not necessarily coincide with "being a good person". They essentially want your devotion above anything else. Your offerings, your prayers, and your gratitude. Which comes back to the idea, it's not about how you make your money, so long as you make it. Deep rooted beliefs in the caste systems is still obviously in everyone's mindset (no matter what any young educated Indian might tell you). Which means you will always be trying to get ahead by any means necessary, get a job finished as cheaply as possible, in any way possible, you will get rewarded.

Obviously not all Indians are like this. And he isn't saying Indians aren't good people because they aren't "afraid of sins" either. Not his point at all,and if you read the book in detail he obviously loves India and his fellow Indians and explores much more in detail their complexities. I posted the factors in their culture that interested me most, that helped me better understand them. He poses that India is in such contrast and so unique that it cannot be compared to any other countries rise to power. I quite frankly agree. Which is why they can either succeed or fail. They're a complete wild card.

As for the "Super Power" notion, no way. Global Power, yes, definitely...but who knows when.