‘My sincere apologies to those readers who may have been offended by my earlier blog, dated 10 June 2018, Indian politics wasted my Saturday. I recognise that I may have inadvertently, but unintentionally, offended the followers of both Mr Modi and Mr Gandhi, as well as the Indian media or the promotors of the social media.
Through my previous blog, I intended to draw our attention to many serious issues faced by India, as noted in the blog (and my earlier blogs) and my book, Issues White-anting India. I wish you all join me in raising our unanimous voice that reaches the relevant stakeholders, and the Government, so that those issues are addressed effectively and the country thrives with good health.
Instead of focussing on Mr Modi and Mr Gandhi and discuss their strengths, or criticise their respective weaknesses, why can’t we focus on the country? Instead of negative campaigns against anyone of them, let us endeavor to undertake positive actions for the country.
- If you love India, then focus on India and India’s issues.
- If you love Mr Modi, then follow him and his visionary actions. Help him through your actions (and not by your gossip alone) to accomplish what he envisions for India.
- If you love Mr Gandhi, and follow his Nehru – Gandhi dynasty, then try to follow the footsteps of his Indian ancestors and bring about a positive social change in India – harmony, peace, equality and prosperity.
Personally, I have nothing against Mr Modi or Mr Gandhi. In fact, I have immense admiration and high regards for both of them; both are driven to serve the nation. It is not my place to judge them, as I have not yet worked with them.
- Mr Modi left his home as a teenager and, thereafter, dedicated his entire life to the country. His benevolence and personal commitment to the country are unprecedented. He inspires people through his charismatic personality and powerful speeches, as well as through his tireless service, visionary programmes and beneficent schemes. He is a gifted orator.
- Mr Gandhi must be applauded for his dedication to the country. At a young age, he saw the blood of his father and grandmother being violently spilled on the ground. He could have permanently left the country a long ago, and led a more comfortable and safer life overseas, but he chose to stay back, unlike most of us NRIs and OCIs, and faced the reality of relatively harder life in India. One can’t dispute that it must be in his blood, like his ancestors, that he thinks he owns the country and, therefore, endeavours to serve it. He is relatively young and quite driven to achieve what his ancestors achieved.
As far as I see, both Mr Modi and Mr Gandhi don’t speak against the menacing population growth rate or the dwindling liveability of India. In an ideal world, how nice it would have been if Mr Modi and Mr Gandhi worked alongside each other, coherently as one team, and earnestly addressed the issues facing the nation. Incidentally, both Mr Modi and Mr Gandhi live as bachelors, without any personal family commitments. As such, both seem to have dedicated their lives to the country.
As for the people, just follow your leaders and act consciously for the BENEFIT of the country, instead of indulging in the people-worship or any idle gossip. Bhakti must be shown towards the country. It is similar to religion. If you worship Lord Ram, let your personal character and actions mirror Lord Ram’s, as a mark of your worship. Similarly, if you worship Lord Krisna, then follow his instructions: act decisively (without expectations) and don’t witness wrong things happening passively. Worshiping your deity or your favourite leaders, for your personal materialistic benefits, is of no use to anyone – to you or the country.
People make the country and our positive actions alone will help to save it and make it a better place to live. By our casual indulgence in the social and political gossip, through the misuse of the mass media and / or the social media, all of us are just wasting our precious time and the human resources. In doing so, all of us cause further damage to the country, some due to sheer ignorance, some due to indifference and some due to inaction. Instead, we could all pool our resources and act together to save the country.
Actions alone matter, and not just the social gossip! Let us all show active citizenship and love for India through our actions, and actions alone.’… Bill K Koul