Change as we all know as well as recognise is the only constant in life. While change is always welcome sometimes the pace at which it happens… makes one not only ponder but also reflect on the kind of change. Some of us in India, born in the decade just before the partition or after the same have probably witnessed more change than some others in the world. One was either awakening to the idea of the new and free India in what our first prime minister …described as ‘tryst with destiny’ or was born in Independent India to help not only redeem but manifest that pledge for free as well as fair society. We did that with a new constitution, democratic way of governance and equality of speech as well as religion enshrined therein…. A significant change no doubt, but what we have witnessed thereafter in the last seven decades having built on that foundation is far more that we could have imagined… It’s been a journey and it continues to be a little bumpy…,perhaps a little introspection would help as how we could have managed this journey better …if not the destination for that more often than not is decided..!
It has been a period of continuous change, some which has massively benefited, some not so beneficial and … the third category .. the change which was needed but did not happen. There were two visibly massive changes which one can recount… which have contributed to what we see as present day India from the land of mystics and snake charmers to a progressive society which is stable, skilled and can compete with the best in the world. The first was the constitution enabled focus on equality in status as well as opportunity for all… and massive focus on institutions and education. This one decision, though it took many years to manifest, is perhaps one of the most noteworthy enablers of modern India society. It was and continues to be the most effective way to fight illiteracy, caste ridden prejudices and backwardness. Equality through education quota and job quotas though criticised today was perhaps the only way to mainstream knowledge rather than it being a preserve of a few. More importantly millions (ours being the problem of plenty ) needed to become and became contributors to our GDP … which goes a long way in turning our demographics into our most important asset..! Our big focus on education, more importantly science opened the country for the next most important change which was the focus on ‘Services’ as against manufacturing which required capital..which was a constraint. Technology and services supporting the same revolutionised the work profile of our country taking us to be the top providers of such services across the world and taking our professionals into top echelons of Fortune 500 companies. Both these changes are largely responsible for our status as well as our regard in the comity of nations today.
The socio economic change too have been of considerable magnitude though not too sure whether they have been as beneficial as some of the changes I described earlier to our young nation and as individuals. Society has certainly become more open as well as inclusive …in no small measure due to multicultural influence, better communication and better education. Technology again has played a part in this change with making mobile telephony and the power of internet the fulcrum of our lives. Access to information and content across the world has changed the way we live, speak and…behave, perhaps not always to our liking. Our fears,our cloistered secrets, whether they are sexual or otherwise are now being discussed in public …and becoming mainstream. Have watched a recent series called “Made in Heaven” on Amazon Prime recently, a fabulously mounted and directed show which really depicts the change we have come through… the showcasing of wealth, the relationships…gay or otherwise, the backwardness as well as prejudices in society despite wealth as well as education… in other words a society still reconciling its past with a future which is more of western import than Indian. Such content would have been charged as akin to blasphemy not very long ago….These changes though are benefitting us deal with our prejudices which may have been hidden as well as present always and hopefully to become better as a society.
While the change has been substantial there are some changes that one wanted to see… but either have not taken place or not in the measure one would have wanted. India is still a very caste driven society…and despite our increasing education those caste discriminations are alive. Lower castes are still not considered fit enough to eat or drink together or provide equal privileges in many areas. This is not the 21st century India we had envisaged. The other major change we have still to see is the measures to contain rampant corruption in the society …. Not that one has not tried but with the massive growth in all aspects of the economy this measure has been left neglected to a large extent. We do however pay a lot of lip service to the problem but very little to resolve…perhaps intentionally but one can leave this discussion for another time..
Change is never easy but it happens all the time whether we like it or not.. some of it can be predicted but most just happens. Living therefore with change is an art…some which one anticipates and the balance one adjusts to or accepts…Have a lovely weekend..
MusingsbyTimmy 