Ambitious Man, Aspiring Man in India
BRICS, 15 Aug 2022
Dr. Ravi P. Bhatia – TRANSCEND Media Service
15 Aug 2022 – Man is generally ambitious — he wants to be an important person, he wants to be in the limelight. These days when India is celebrating its 75th year of independence from the British yoke in 1947, there are many flags, films, paintings and newspapers that are dwelling on India’s journey in the last three quarters of century. Most people feel a sense of dissatisfaction at the current state of affairs in the country economically, politically, educationally, in the sports field, etc.
But some ambitious men wonder about their contribution to the independence movement and subsequent developments. They feel if they had occupied an important position politically one would not see the poverty in villages and even in urban centres. They secretly feel they would have made the country more egalitarian and less poverty stricken.
Recently, the Commonwealth Games have ended in Birmingham, England with India ranking fourth in the medals tally. These ambitious people feel that if they were in the governance of sports bodies, India could have topped in the medals tally or at least done much better especially in some traditional events such as hockey or table tennis. Likewise whenever they see Indians trailing or not doing as well expected in some events, they blame the administration. Even the recent chess championship held in Chennai is criticised for not having produced the young chess prodigies as expected.
Even parents of some sports persons are unhappy that their children failed to deliver except perhaps in weight lifting. They feel that their children are not dedicated enough to do well. They blame their sons for not concentrating on anything — studies or sports. Their daughters are also criticised for thinking more of fashion and hoping to walk the ramp or joining the film industry, and don’t give enough attention to education or sports.
The education system of the country is blamed for its stress on the examination system and not producing good scholars or teachers. Although many students do well in AI (Artificial Intelligence) or computer science, they feel discouraged for not getting the support they expect. Many such students prefer to leave for institutions abroad where they expect better support and motivation.
With many people critical of the above areas — education, sports, economy, the one area they feel encouraging, is the area of law. Several brilliant and dedicated students prefer to join law courses hoping after a few years to become lawyers, and subsequently become magistrates or later judges. With many social political areas of discord in India, more lawyers and judges are needed. Youngsters hope to mediate on the troubled areas by becoming lawyers.
Is the situation so discouraging for young or even older men as described above? Perhaps not so, except for some ambitious or aspiring people, especially men. They feel avenues for their sustenance and support are limited. Because of this reason, many try to join political parties especially BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) which is doing well in several Indian states with Prime Minister Modi spearheading the party.
Perhaps good religious discourses are not attracting the young people.
Hare Krishna
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Dr Ravi P Bhatia is a member of the TRANSCEND Network for Peace Development Environment, an educationist, Gandhian scholar and peace researcher. Retired professor, Delhi University. His new book, A Garland of Ideas—Gandhian, Religious, Educational, Environmental was published recently in Delhi. ravipbhatia@gmail.com
Tags: Culture, India
This article originally appeared on Transcend Media Service (TMS) on 15 Aug 2022.
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