The strength of a nation is seldom determined based on its military and/or economic might. The strength of a nation can be estimated by the ability of its people and society to organize itself to achieve a shared goal. A nation can only be as strong as its citizens allow her to be.
I can remember of 3 occasions when the citizens of India and our society was truly tested..
1) Food crisis under Lal Bahadur Shastri - India faced an unprecedented food crisis under Lal Bahadur Shastri. With rising demand and prices and lower production, India was at the mercy of US for food. A prime minister before Shastri agreed to de-value India's currency by 30% for the sake of food. Lal Bahadur instead asked the people of India to fast on Mondays. A national rallied to his appeal and every citizen did their bit.
2) Wars with Pakistan - Living in Mumbai at the times of war is tough. With a few hours from Karachi, Bombay was the #1 target. Citizens were asked to go 'lights out' i.e. no lights and curtains on the windows. Citizens dutifully followed the instructions post every siren.....again they did their bit.
3) The last time we faced a situation where our society was asked to make a sacrifice was when IC 814 was hijacked. A weak society forced a government to cut deals to save a few lives.
World War 2 provides examples of 3 societies which with their resolve managed to rebuild their nations. Britain's army was no match for Hitler ... but the resolve of her people to fight on the streets and beaches forced Hitler to focus on Russia and the course of the war changed. Japan and Germany were comprehensively beaten but again their people and society rose to re-build their nations.
As India mounts its biggest assault on corruption and black money, her people and society will once again be tested.
In the days ahead we will know if we have it in us to re-build our nation. For as Swami Vivekananda said 'Nothing great is ever achieved without sacrifice'.
I can remember of 3 occasions when the citizens of India and our society was truly tested..
1) Food crisis under Lal Bahadur Shastri - India faced an unprecedented food crisis under Lal Bahadur Shastri. With rising demand and prices and lower production, India was at the mercy of US for food. A prime minister before Shastri agreed to de-value India's currency by 30% for the sake of food. Lal Bahadur instead asked the people of India to fast on Mondays. A national rallied to his appeal and every citizen did their bit.
2) Wars with Pakistan - Living in Mumbai at the times of war is tough. With a few hours from Karachi, Bombay was the #1 target. Citizens were asked to go 'lights out' i.e. no lights and curtains on the windows. Citizens dutifully followed the instructions post every siren.....again they did their bit.
3) The last time we faced a situation where our society was asked to make a sacrifice was when IC 814 was hijacked. A weak society forced a government to cut deals to save a few lives.
World War 2 provides examples of 3 societies which with their resolve managed to rebuild their nations. Britain's army was no match for Hitler ... but the resolve of her people to fight on the streets and beaches forced Hitler to focus on Russia and the course of the war changed. Japan and Germany were comprehensively beaten but again their people and society rose to re-build their nations.
As India mounts its biggest assault on corruption and black money, her people and society will once again be tested.
In the days ahead we will know if we have it in us to re-build our nation. For as Swami Vivekananda said 'Nothing great is ever achieved without sacrifice'.
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