R2I: Can India ever be made better?

raogariammayi · Post by **raogariammayi** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 2:19 am

Wanted to hear opinions and perceptions. I am like the average desi in US, always wishing India would be more like the US in term of infrastructure, opportunities, law and order etc. feel proud if any Indian makes it to the headlines in a good way etc. People would probably crticize me for comparing in the first place. When I visit India, I am happy to see the material development in many places..........glitzy malls, swanky restaurants, hip youth who are intermingling freely and older generation a little bit laid back. Beautiful apartment complexes etc. Yes, it is tempting for me to pack my bags and land in the new rising super power.But something in me says that, the psyche of India is the one that needs the revamping. All the rest are just cosmetic fixes.The political scams are disheartening to say the least. My heart goes out to the starving millions, and I want to do something for them, but I know I need to keep my home stable before I go out and do something good to the deserving underserved. My philanthropy should wait. But the bigger question is, is it possible to even think optimistically of these thoughts? Imho, it is the new generation that needs to be steered in the right direction, the older generation (think laloo, karunanidhi, CB Naidu, Jayalalitha, Thackeray, etc, etc) should be completely replaced with a fresh way of thinking, new young leaders who hopefully will see the greater good. Is there anything we as NRIs can do collectively? The more I see the modern India, the more I see a chasm between morals, and increasing insensitivity. Any opinions welcome. I know this discussion has a broad scope. We all are blessed to have seen the best of the world. Good education, career growth, that many can only dream of.Instead of fighting amongst ourselves, what if we could channel our energies. That was my wish.Please no personal attacks.

rajradio · Post by **rajradio** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 2:42 am

action action action, that is what is needed. See what your personal goals are, see if you have met them or near met them, once they are in place, start somewhere and do something. change has to come one thing at a time. Change has to be sustainable and slow. The best thing that can happen to india now is if can tie up all the old corrupt leaders in India and throw them in the sea(they ll probably sell the sea to afghanistan), but that may not happen in our lifetime so do something, anything, XOXO, Sumachechi, kirks, cabo, sumeet, pm071, FFH, MINF, Mn-Op, (many other happy R2I ers) are all great examples of people who are acting in their own way on the same situation. we dont have to look outside this forum for insipiration.

RK

stup123 · Post by **stup123** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 2:46 am

Bring back the Raj

Or
Atleast copy some working formula that suits the country than just aping the easiest fixes for everything

Maganda · Post by **Maganda** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 4:04 am

R2I: Can India ever be made better - Possibly Yes and for that to happen, there is no need for anyone to R2I.Poor people in that country can help themselves - even by voilent means if the Govt and democracy fails to deliver.They are the biggest threat to the tiny elite who have benefited the most.

Sid · Post by **Sid** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 5:10 am

OP, why all this Hai Tauba about India not being a super awesome country? Did you just wake up all of a sudden to see the bad face of India?

IMO no one can steer anybody in any direction, especially the young. They will do what ever they want to do. Not something that a FOB NRI is telling them to do. All you can do is to continue doing what you can do best to the best of your capacity. If you hear a good idea, spread it. If you have an opportunity to participate in something good, do it. No need to give your life away for social cause. But just help people as much as you can.

Of course if you can go that extra mile, then you can further improve things. You can distribute free books to kids in rural schools, or organize few ladies to provide education to illiterate females in villages, or organize villagers to conduct BDO meetings to talk about implementing government schemes. You can go to the local court and find hundreds of poor folks who are running from notary to notary to get a Rs 10 affidavit for their cause. Point them to the correct person. Refuse to pay cash for your big ticket purchases. Always insist on proper receipts.

Or you can go much bigger, by starting to file RTI applications against local government agencies. Ask your MLA and MP about where have they spent the government money. Ask about implementation of various government schemes. Keep the pressure on them. Start an NGO, take up local development projects, and build better things. Organize funds among NRIs and your circle for charitable causes.

If you have stamina further, then maybe think about politics, and changing the country from within. Or build a hospital like what Raj is doing. Or start a software company and create employment.

Do as much as you can. There is no right or wrong way. But don't expect India and Indians to change all of a sudden for you. Be prepared to make your feet and hands dirty. Don't expect a red carpet treatment.

Or you can take a sound sleep and eat samosas in you house while your maid does the cleaning and cooking. Even then, you can support the education of your maid's kids, and help her husband get a decent job (don't forget to give her some vacation days)!

Sid · Post by **Sid** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 5:24 am

Here is how Bachubhai Patel and Kota Harinarayana made India better!

returning_indian · Post by **returning_indian** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 5:31 am

sid_earth;363277(don't forget to give her some vacation days)!

Don't worry about giving vacation days. She will take it by some excuse or other. Just don't stress yourself over her lying and be ready to do the dishes yourself.

M V · Post by **M V** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 7:42 am

rajradio;363267action action action, that is what is needed. See what your personal goals are, see if you have met them or near met them, once they are in place, start somewhere and do something. change has to come one thing at a time. Change has to be sustainable and slow. The best thing that can happen to india now is if can tie up all the old corrupt leaders in India and throw them in the sea(they ll probably sell the sea to afghanistan), but that may not happen in our lifetime so do something, anything, XOXO, Sumachechi, kirks, cabo, sumeet, pm071, FFH, MINF, Mn-Op, (many other happy R2I ers) are all great examples of people who are acting in their own way on the same situation. we dont have to look outside this forum for insipiration.

RK

At the risk of appearing dense, have to ask - how are these people acting on the situation OP has described?

okonomi · Post by **okonomi** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 7:47 am

It took 45 years after independence, a huge man-made famine, loss of a war/territory with the chinese, not much of a private sector except those that the license raj would allow, soviet style five year plans that helped make new crorepathis of elected politicians, and alliances with the likes of Tito, Sukarno and Castro before India realised that more giving up on socialism and opening markets would actually be beneficial to a lot of poor people. Those that escaped india before the economic liberalization of the early 1990's would probably think differently than those that had gone out in the last 20 years. The recent Pravasi BD mela in New Delhi brought out an interesting point about the northeastern states of the country. It was said that those areas are relatively less developed than (say Gujarat, Punjab or Kerala) other parts of the country, because there are not sufficient numbers of NRIs from those places sending home money and thereby inject investments into the local economy. Regions of India will develop in different rates to different levels. Metros may be melting pots; but most of India is made up of culturally distinct groups that are not going to mix-it-up in any manner so as to make generalized sweeping statements about India possible. Those that had R2I'd may see something different because they are standing in the middle of it all. Those that have not returned will always see consolidated spins on India they can pick, choose, like or ignore.

rajradio · Post by **rajradio** » Sun Jan 23, 2011 7:49 am

modus_vivendi;363297At the risk of appearing dense, how are these people acting on the situation OP has described?

xoxo has applied for congress party membership and does tons of social work,

kirks: engages in social work and donates actively.

sumachechi: works for a fraction of salary she could in the UK and sees kids from far and wide and treats them for a fraction of a cost an american 5 star hospital does.

most importantly they joined the system and found a reasonable balance of making a living and giving back instead of whining from 7000 miles.

and the list goes on but I ll let you extrapolate.

RK