It is truly the greatest show on Earth, an ode to a diverse
and
democratic ethos, where 700 million +
of humanity vote, providing
their small part in directing their
ancient civilization into the
future. It is no less impressive when
done in a neighbourhood, which
includes de-stabilizing and violent
Pakistan, China, and Burma.
Its challenges are immense, more so
probably than anywhere else,
particularly in development and fending
off terrorism — but
considering these challenges and its neighbours,
it is even more
astounding that the most diverse nation
on Earth, with hundreds of
languages, all religions and cultures,
is not only surviving, but
thriving.
The nation where Hinduism, Buddhism,
Jainism, and Sikhism were born,
which is the second largest Muslim
nation on Earth; where Christianity
has existed for 2000 years; where the
oldest Jewish synagogues and
Jewish communities have resided since
the Romans burnt their 2nd
temple; where the Dalai Lama and the
Tibetan government in exile
reside; where the Zoroastrians from
Persia have thrived since being
thrown out of their ancient homeland;
where Armenians and Syrians and
many others have to come live; where
the Paris-based OECD said was the
largest economy on Earth 1500 of the
last 2000 years, including the
2nd largest only 200 years ago; where 3
Muslim Presidents have been
elected, where a Sikh is Prime Minister
and the head of the ruling
party a Catholic Italian woman, where
the President is also a women,
succeeding a Muslim President who as a
rocket scientist was a hero in
the nation; where a booming economy is
lifting 40 million out of
poverty each year and is expected to
have the majority of its population in the
middle class, already equal to the
entire US population, by 2025;
where its optimism and vibrancy is
manifested in its movies, arts,
economic growth, and voting, despite
all the incredible challenges and
hardships; where all the great powers
are vying for influence, as it
itself finds its place in the world.
Where all of this is happening, is
India, and as greater than 1/10 of
humanity gets ready to vote, it is an
inspiration to all the World.
— V Mitchell, New York, NY
This is great reporting. This is how I would have summed it
to demonstrate the oldest, largest and the
greatest democracy and the most diverse nation on Earth "directing their most ancient civilization into the future."
This is beyond compare. V Mitchell’s report is the
best news from which our community here can thus be enthused to
‘repeat the business’ turning up and turning out at 60% + to vote this time in
the Euro Elections and especially in the General Election which not so far.
Anant
Anant M Vyas 