2 nations in 1

Anyone that has any background with India will immediately tell you how complicated it is. Each state functions virtuously autonomously and proudly maintains its own unique culture. The cultural diversity that encompasses the entire continent of Europe is comparable the diversity within India.

However at the risk of oversimplifying the issue I am realizing more and more that India can primarily be divided into 2 very separate and very distinct nations. The privileged and the unprivileged.

The world is taking notice of India. Companies are shifting their efforts to tap into the supposed market of 1.3 billion people. However when 70% of the nation lives in villages, most without running water water and consistent electricity and 35% can't even sign their own name, the new billboards boasting of 3G networks might as well be in yiddish. When you live hand to mouth on just a few dollars a day the choice between Pepsi and Coke is an unfathomable luxury.

Frankly and sincerely, India has done a very bad job of educating and empowering the masses. This is why countries that got their independence at the same time (singapore, malaysia etc.) have far surpassed India. Even Korea whose economy was in shambles in the 60's has lapped India many times over when it comes to overall development.

The [growing] divide between between the privileged and the unprivileged is so great that the Prime Minster told the UN that it was on par with Apartheid. So when you read about how much India has developed understand it is a lopsided development. Although silicon valley is littered with top graduates from Indian universities, that is in no way an accurate representation of India.

India has done an excellent job portraying itself as a superpower (they even convinced Obama) so much so that the UN is considering giving them a permanent seat. But that development is only representative of 10% of the population.

India is growing fast. But I would submit that unless they make some significant changes-namely to empower the unprivileged they will never live up to the world's expectations.

for what its worth...



r

well hello monday, back so soon?

I have known for sometime that there were mice living in my AC unit (directly above my bed). They would run around and squeak once in awhile but I wasn't sure what exactly to do so I just hoped that somehow the problem would fix itself.

This morning I woke up at 5:30. Aside from a life or death situation (preferably my own) there is no good reason to be awake at that hour. my reason? The mice were being exceptionally active and chatty. So Manglesh (my roommate) and I cleaned out my room and began to take the AC unit off the wall. Out came 2 bats and about 2 months worth of bat poo. One flew back in, while the other began squeaking and flying around our flat.

I like a total pansy jumped back shouted some choice words and took cover while Manglesh grabbed the broom and began chasing it.

After the bat issue had been somewhat solved (one more is still MIA) I went into the kitchen and found pigeon poo from where they flew in the open window, and water everywhere from where the water tank had overflowed.

I then decided to go back to sleep and try starting monday again in a few hours. I slept too late, threw on dirty (but not stinky) clothes, skipped a shower and forgot to brush my teeth before running out the door.

happy monday.