From Kush

[Sanjeev Sabhlok <sabhlok@almaak.usc.edu>]

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 1 Jul 1998 11:17:57 -0700 (PDT)
From: Kush Khatri <free_voice@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: Debate

---Dave Mahadevan <mahadevan@fuse.net> wrote:
> You do have a point.  One thing I am reluctant is second guess
people >who live in India all their life (me left long time ago).  I
do not >know what right I have to criticise and offer "western"
solutions.  >However, we are just debating policy (thank God, Mr.
Vajpayee does not >subscribe...Sanjeev am I right ?)   You should be
critical but you >should also suggest to keep a balance?   Think tanks
are just that.  So >what do you think about the India Constitution?


Yes, we must keep a balance.  No one on this forum is here just to
criticize.  We fully realize that we must come up with some solutions.
 However, please also keep in mind that a right diagnose is important
before a cure can be prescribed.

In that context I do not buy this "eastern" and "western" argument. 
Often that argument is used by pro status quo people to keep away
change, new thoughts and reform from coming to places like India.  If
you really examine it carefully, when it comes to basic human needs
and living conditions there are no "eastern" or "western" solutions. 
For example, managing waste (human and industrial) is a universal
issue.  M.K. Gandhi struggled with this issue and came up with "micro"
solutions.  But where the West overtook the East was in waste
management, hygeine and cleanliness.  All of this contributes to
better living conditions.  Therefore, I do not think that
"cleanliness" is a "Western" concept or a western value.  You can make
a similar case for all those conditions that make "modern" living
possible.  Now there are some who think electricity is a luxury.  But
won't you agree that it is such a mindset which has sunk our standards
to the lowest?  How is providing energy or clean water to all citizens
a "western" concept?
That is what we are discussing on this forum: things that enhance the
quality of life of all citizens (sewer systems, water, electricity,
transportation, primary education) has been neglected in India, making
it into a cesspool of the world.  WHAT IS SO EASTERN ABOUT THAT?

Indians who are living overseas have this false guilt that they have
no right to tell people back home what ought to be done to improve the
quality of life for all.  WRONG.  I think we should be doing the
opposite.

Regarding the constituion of India.  Personally, I find it is
unreadable. It is needlessly complicated and the language is difficult
to understand.  I fully agree, however, that such an important
document has been desecrated by the people who should have been
upholding it - I mean the political leadership.  By the way, the last
time I checked the Indian constitution was adding its 84th(?)
amendment (it was in the eighties not seventies)

Regards,
Kush Khatri

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