Once upon a time, there were two brothers doing penance on opposite banks of the holy river Ganges. Fed up with their continuous disturbance, one day God decided to grant their wishes. God thought ‘whatever the hell they want, I better give them and rest in peace’. He went to one of the brothers and asked him to tell his wish so the God could grant it. The brother, instead of ‘praising the Lord’ and ask his wish, enquired what the God had granted to his brother. “I’m yet to visit thy brother. You got the first chance. Let me fulfil your desire’ God spoke. After contemplating the situation, with a smile on his face the brother requested the God to give him ‘double’ of whatever the God would be giving to his brother. “That’s it”, God granted boon and flew to the other side of the river only to face similar query from the brother on the other side. When God explained that his brother would be getting double of whatever he gets, the devotee considered the situation. Finally he asked the God to turn one of his eyes – blind.
This was a story I read, perhaps in Chandamama, when I was a kid. While growing in Andhra I often heard people saying “Only a Telugu person can damage another Telugu person” and wondered what made Telugu people so special to have such a trait. When I moved to Maharashtra for my studies and then employment, my Marathi friends compared their own people with Crabs. One can often see the basket full of live crabs without a lid over it. All of them continuously try to climb the basket but pulled down by another one trying to climb. And none of them could escape the basket, at least till the seller sells them all to prospective clients only to fry them deeply.
I wondered how people speaking Marathi and Telugu could empathise themselves in same fashion, albeit without the other community knowing. My riddle was solved when I moved to Uttar Pradesh and saw how politics are conducted in daily course of discharging their duties. I realised this trait is not particular to one state and one community, but a national disease. The Indian nation suffers from Cancer. Cancer of one person pulling the other down, even at the costs of one;s own failure.
The denial of entry to India in NSG had open the gates to a plethora of comments, from all and sundry.
May be in the history of Indian diplomacy that was famous for ‘indecision’ and the way India led the NAM politics that almost made India a pariah in all those who matter, it was for the first time there was this much enthusiasm was created. Though one can never take away shine from the way Manmohan Singh broke the ice in 2008 deal to get waiver from NSG, only Manmohan Singh could comment on the worthiness of India’s attempts to join NSG. I am yet to see any of his comments claiming that entry into NSG is not needed. May his party persuade him to that extent.
When the person, who in all probability would spell nuclear as ‘New Clear’ commented on the art of negotiation, by the Government. Even the thought of this person may in future lead this nation, itself gives goosebumps. His cronies were in full form celebrating the failure of India’s entry into NSG. One of them commented on the remark of Sushma Swaraj saying ‘India don’t have a problem in Pakistan enters NSG on merit’. He interpreted it as equating with Pakistan and went on to explain the proliferation record of Pakistan. He himself explained there is no merit in the case of Pakistan, yet he denounces the statement of the minister of Foreign Affairs.
Even layman can understand the entry into NSG could not happen in one sitting. International diplomacy, during no-war times, is a slow process. Definitely the past record of India was better than Pakistan, and it was mostly Congress that ruled in those days.
I don’t recall any opposition leader calling Indira Gandhi names, when India tested nuclear device in 1974. Neither in 1998, when Atal Bihar Vajpayee tested when even his deputy was kept in dark. Still, there was acknowledgement on how this responsibility was passed on to him by PV Narasimha Rao, who had to give in to the pressure from US. When Indira Gandhi returned the conquered land back to Pakistan, post the win in 1971, no opposition leader called her a failure. Instead, she was compared to Durga, by the opposition and was praised.
It is common to see fans attack houses of Indian cricket team, whenever there was a failure that was not anticipated. But, we have witnessed such attacks were criticised by other cricketers, whether playing ones or veterans. And, we thought cricket was full of politics!
It seems the current generation of politicians, are a degenerated lot. The way they celebrated the failure of India instead of congratulating the government for making such a laudable effort explains why the story of two brothers I quoted in the beginning is still relevant.
What these people forget was that it was such celebrations that provoked the mind of common man and forced them to stick to the nationalism. There were scenes when a section of people celebrate the loss of Indian cricket team, and there will be. For every action, there would be equal and opposite reaction. This is the land that professed ‘Karma’.
It may be worth noting that China was in the minority in NSG on India’s entry. It is worth noting that immediately after the denial of entry in NSG to India, US felt that the ‘path forward’ is apparent and India may enter into NSG by year end. I personally think, it may happen before Obama quits office. India’s chances may be lessened only in case Hillary Clinton assumes the office and if Trump becomes PoTUS, the way forward may be easier.
The point in either case is to reflect the situation and current situation shows the majority of Indian polity is nose-diving. Yes, they may burn everything into ashes. But, they forgot one thing. “Phoenix rises from Ashes to the Sky”