“ The role of citizens in our democracy does not end with your vote. America’s never been about what can be done for us; it’s about what can be done by us together, through the hard and frustrating but necessary work of self-government. That’s the principle we were founded on.
This country has more wealth than any nation, but that’s not what makes us rich. We have the most powerful military in history, but that’s not what makes us strong. Our university, our culture are all the envy of the world, but that’s not what keeps the world coming to our shores. What makes America exceptional are the bonds that hold together the most diverse nation on Earth, the belief that our destiny is shared, that this country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another and to future generations, so that the freedom which so many Americans have fought for and died for come with responsibilities as well as rights, and among those are love and charity and duty and patriotism. That’s what makes America greatâ€.
Above is a part of the speech of President Barack Obama, soon after his victory was announced . When a proper analysis of his speech is made, it appears there is something to be learnt by Indians. He said that the qualities which he saw in America and Americans make America Great. Let us accept it as true and correct and when we apply the same qualities to our country, what should we say to our country. It is for every Indian to think and consider honestly and seriously.
President Obama said proudly that his country has more wealth than any other country. What about India. Let us assess what India lacks. If I am not wrong, except uranium, this country has all the natural resources. This country has coal deposits of 285862 million tonnes. It has 1437 billion cubic meters of confirmed natural gas reserves. It has 1269,219 sq. km of cultivable land and total water surface area of 314,40 km It has 125 million metric tonnes of proven petroleum oil reserves which is the second largest in Asia pacific region. Approximately 600 tonnes of gold deposit is there in Hutti mines alone. India has the world’s third largest fishing industry. Mention any other minerals such as Manganese, Mica, Bauxite, titanium ore, Chromite, Diamonds, Lime stones and Thorium, they are in this country.
India has also other natural resources such as dense forests containing several rear and unique birds, animals and herbal plants and rare species of medicinal plants. It has long rivers running into hundreds of kilo meters. It has the beautiful snow covered Himalayan mountain ranges, and a very vast friendly kind of Thar desert. It has long sea coast. It stands 4th in rank among the global powers in military strength.
The culture of India dates back to over 5000 years. The ancient scriptures show that Indians had deep knowledge of mathematics and medicinal science. Ashoka Pillar speaks of the rust free iron Indians could manufacture. Sanskrit language is the oldest language as the Vedas were written about 3000 years ago in Sanskrit.. Zero or place value system was invented by the Indian Mathematician Aryabhatta. If not for that zero, there would not have been the Computer. India has the second largest man power.
India has a multi lingual society having several languages. The people are following different and divergent views on realizing the path to the God. Eating habits are different, yet they can mingle with each others. There cannot be another country where one could see such diversities yet unity and bonding attitudes. People of Kanyakumari, the southern most tip of India may not know the language or eating habits or religious beliefs etc of the people in Ladakh which is the northern tip of the country. Yet when they meet each others, they say in one voice we are Indians. Thus ours is a great country. Our scriptures show how people from far off places came to our universities searching for secrets of life and to know the ultimate truth. Buddha was born in this country and spread the message of peace throughout this region. All these show that India is a great country, if not the greatest.
When we have all the above, what do we lack? As President Obama said rightly in his victory speech addressing his countrymen that it is not these wealth or culture or history, etc. which matter but as he said that “……the belief that our destiny is shared, that this country only works when we accept certain obligations to one another and to future generations, so that the freedom which so many Americans have fought for and died for come with responsibilities as well as rights, and among those are love and charity and duty and patriotism. That’s what makes America greatâ€
In India also our last generation through non violent means rested the country from the colonial rule and restored our land to us and our self respect. They have adopted a Constitution which has given equal opportunities to all Indians irrespective of his cast, creed, color or religion or belief. Through the said constitution, which was framed by adopting several good aspects from several constitutions of the world, has opened up the people of this country to develop themselves to the fullest human capabilities.
It is a pity that we Indians are not able to grow because we the people of India rarely think of our fellow Indians. We always think of “myself, my family, my relations and then my countryâ€. Several scams which are currently being discussed is the reflection of that mentality. But the country can develop at great speed and can become the most strongest nation in the world if only we believe that this is my country and for me country first and everything else next. It should not only be believed and said but it should be practiced. We should know to share.
As Obama said to his countrymen, we too should know our duties as a citizen of India.. We should never been about what can this country do for us, it’s about what can be done by us together, through the hard and frustrating but necessary work of self – government. We too should have a belief that our destiny is shared. This country can work only when we accept certain obligations to one another and to future generation, so that that the freedom which so many Indians have fought for or died for come with responsibilities as well as rights , and among those are love and charity and duty and patriotism. Instead of saying that Obama gave an inspiring speech, we Indians should use that speech to inspire themselves for greater dedication. That is what will make India great.