The Buddha8217;s smile

PUNE, June 7: Besides the normal news reporting, there has been a deluge of patriotic, sentimental, outraged and critical opinions on India'...

PUNE, June 7: Besides the normal news reporting, there has been a deluge of patriotic, sentimental, outraged and critical opinions on India8217;s recently-conducted nuclear tests. While some have full-heartedly supported our Prime Minister8217;s move, some have thought it unessential 8211; even wasteful.A columnist in a prestigious newspaper suggested that Vajpayee should have turned his attention to more important matters like poverty, unemployment and hunger, than to nuclear tests.

More recently, a participant on a television debate show echoed a similar sentiment. This reminded me of a conversation I once had with my domestic help. Shakuntala, my maid, is determined to make her daughter white-collar. She encouraged her daughter to study, without bothering about household chores. Sometime later, Shakuntala had to face hard times 8211; her husband became a permanent invalid. At that time, they did not have enough money to even feed themselves properly. I suggested that she take her daughter out of class XI in which she was then studying, and get her a job as a helper at one of the many shops in our area. She refused. I tried explaining that food was the most important thing for them. Studies could be completed later, provided they survived. She stuck to her guns. Today, she has the satisfaction of seeing her daughter employed in a firm earning a four-figure salary. The point to be made here, is that often hunger and other physical discomforts take a back seat when there is an ambition tofulfill or a goal to achieve. Agreed, that India8217;s quantum leap into the nuclear age still does not solve her problems of hunger and employment. Should we, then, focus only on these two issues, and leave the rest to providence? Suppose we lived in an area where the crime rate is high, lack of three square meals would not keep us from arming ourselves with a good stout stick or a dagger. The prime reason for India carrying out the tests, I think, is self-protection. It is no secret that we are geographically close to our traditional foes.

They are, either supported by or themselves, nuclear power nations. Whether we use the nuclear power to make nuclear electricity or for other peaceful purposes is besides the point. What is important, is that we are capable of defending ourselves, if ever required, at par with the attacker.

I understand that each person has a fundamental right to roti, kapada and makan8217;. However, I think self-preservation and the search for bettering ourselves and our status, are the hallmarks of most individuals. Even though we may be hungry, as long as we live, we will devise ways and means to protect ourselves from, what we perceive to be, danger. As long as we live, we try to make a better tomorrow for ourselves and our children.

We try to earn more, join prestigious clubs, live in posh societies, drive fancy cars, wear expensive clothes, eat at luxury hotels, and make acquaintance with wealthier and influential people. Thus, another reason, I think, India decided to carry out the tests, is because the people in charge have become tired of us being portrayed as the have-nots8217;, the poor cousins. We have the brain power, we have the technology and we have the means. Therefore, we should be accepted as equals by the superior8217; nations.Criticism from other countries is understandable. Nobody wants to acknowledge achievements of a weaker8217; nation unless they have a hand in it. Besides, this breakthrough of ours really rubbed their collective nose in. Poor little India is actually standing up to Goliath! What next? It sure will be hard for them to pat us on our head when we do something nice according to their books. One cannot pat one8217;s equals on the head. One has to shake hands and show true, meaningful appreciation.

Criticism from the opposition and other national parties is, however, unbelievable. Lack of patriotism in Sonia Gandhi, or concern for the correct political climate in the country does not dictate the remarks they make.

Simply the idea that their job is to oppose the Government on any issue causes these parties to make the remarks. Do not these parties realise, that while within India they are BJP or Congress or JD or SP, to the world they are all simply Indians? One family. United we stand, divided we fall. The reason that all the parties were not taken into confidence, is that Vajpayee wanted to avoid a public debate on this topic before carrying out the tests. A public debate would have led to the whole world knowing of our plans. This would then have made it imperative for India to either buckle under pressure like the previous governments or take an aggressive attitude. Neither would have been in India8217;s best interests. When the head of a family takes a decision in, what he/she thinks to be, the welfare of his/her family, he/she may discuss the issue with just the spouse or a responsible member, and not the whole family. If we can accept that, why can we not accept that the prime minister confided and consulted onlyhis core group?

Story continues below this ad

As a citizen of the sovereign republic of democratic India, I am filled with pride, security and confidence at the latest breakthrough in our technology. I feel good that our prime minister is a man with a mind. I like the manner of his doing things 8211; no arguments, just action. Most of all, I feel proud that poor8217; India has projected an image of self-reliance in its ability to withstand sanctions 8211; we may bend, but we will not break. Many a time since the May 11, 1998, have I been remembering a line from a song of Atulprosad Sen8217;s, 8220;Bharat aabaar jagat sabhaay srestho aasan lobe.8221;