White Tiger

On the 60th Anniversary of India's Republic Day, I cannot help but contemplate the country's achievements, its setbacks, its challenges, its potential, its talents, its culture, and most importantly, put India in perspective.

I have great respect for India, although, it saddens me to see that due to the shortcomings of a few crooks in the system, India does not have simple things like roads and basics like clean water and decent housing for the poor. I believe in and admire India for its talent and perseverance, but loathe it for the corruption and the lack of faith its individuals have for their own country. Yes, Indians have relied upon themselves, they have made great leaps, but they have also left millions behind! I have always believed that if India had opened up its economy to the foreigners, it would have provided a level playing field, or at least the much-needed jobs for the poor, which would have created the means to taking the nation to even greater heights.

However, I have also come to the realization that perhaps what I have been concentrating on is a thing of the past. Perhaps, I have been unfair to judge the progress based on simple textbook theories. Perhaps, the resilient and sophisticated India that is transpiring is a direct result of the incompetencies of the system. Let us not forget, India has a history dating back as early as 2500BC; it is a complex country with different cultures, religions and languages. It has a population of 1.1 billion, making it the world's largest democracy. And by all these measures, recent growth rates averaging 9% is a great accomplishment for the Indians to be proud of.I have had numerous discussions on India and its accomplishments with people who have experienced it first hand, and two have had a lasting impression. One, where an acquaintance stated that - India is the only country that is big and ‘innovative’ enough to take over United States as the next biggest economy; and another where I concluded local Indians as 'opportunistic' the way they go about their everyday business; two qualities that I strongly believe are essential for achieving success.

I was told that Thomas Friedman once said on CNN that the difference between China and India is (not directly quoting as I have not watched the interview, but somewhat get the gist) - China is a 4 lane highway with cars travelling at 80-100mph and if a bump is encountered there would be two likely scenarios, either the vehicle would lose control and crash or it would fly in the air and land slightly damaged but will stay on course. India on the other hand is a road full of potholes and puddles, cars travel at 50-60mph, the speed is steady and if bumps occur the vehicles will adjust the speed and carry on moving unscathed.

Just like the latest sensation 'Slumdog Millionaire', the journey might be slow and agonizing, but the end results are more than worthwhile. Being an optimistic, opportunistic, self-reliant, creative hard-worker, with high attainable goals, and a 'never say die' attitude is all it takes, and really that's what makes India, India.

Bull Year?!

I am sure nobody would argue with me if I said 2008 was the most eventful year in our lives! It was a year that witnessed its first ever African-American taking the highest office in the United States of America; it was a year where India, a non NPT member, signed its nuclear energy deal; it was a year where China showcased itself to the world by hosting the Olympics; it was a year where some of the biggest banks went bust or were atleast taken over and nationalized; it was a year where Stagflation became a common vocabulary; it was a year where Madoff became infamous; and mostly it was a year we questioned Capitalism, loathed Globalization, and revisted the Depression Era of the late 1920s for any answers we could find from History, existing in books and not in memory.

Today, it feels like we will never ever get out of this mess. It feels like the world has changed so much in a year, and the only way forward is Down. Sigh, we're scared of the upcoming spending spree on Capitol Hill, we are afraid of the riots that might break out in China because millions are being laid off, we are anxious about the elections in India as reforms might be further stalled, we fear more protectionism from governments going forward, and personally we are facing our worst nightmares in the form of unemployment, negative equity, depleting funds, and a sense of insecurity over our once "rich" lives.

Not that all this is not real, but we humans forget that our memory span is short - just as we've forgotten the boom years, we will forget these depressing times. Maybe 2009 will be a rather difficult year for most, but remember what goes down must go up - as the saying goes :) whatever! Perhaps, it's a good time to sit down and think what exactly will go back up.

Let's get the year MOOving... we can moan till the cows come home... but I'd much rather search for bulls... bring on the year of the OX!!!