The India China Debate

Desi Fun(da)


I just read this good article by Nikhil Bhandare on The Economic Times website about his recent trip to China and his thoughts. The debate on India vs. China or The Lion vs. The Dragon has been a long drawn out debate on how the two third world countries are fighting it out to gain dominace over this side of the world map.

Here are some of my thoughts:
Both countries have their share of problems but since China is much more closed in terms of news it is difficult to decipher what is the state of affairs in the Communist state. We share a burden of a large population. While China has got a tough hand over family planning India still lags in this regard we havent been able to curb this in any form. China's growth has stemmed from its massive investments in infrastructure. Its highways are comparable to any developed nation including the USA and there are many projects such as The Three Gorges Dam the highly touted high speed TGV-like transit system linking its major cities etc. India lags here too with only the Golden Quadrilateral Project coming close, that too not by much, to any of the Chinese endeavors. Though ruled by a dictatorial-like Communist government the leaders have kept corruption at its minimum with senior leaders being removed from positions on even an accusation of wrong-doing. In India we have people like Deve Gowda who have been Prime Minister. Moreover the communists of China have been able to evolve the concept of communism to the modern times and deciphering that any form of thought in governance has to start with the development of its people, which I feel the policies of the Chinese state are successfully providing. We are still stuck on various issues due to politicians leeching the nation and not caring about the people at all. Its become as if its each one to himself here.

What strikes out most in the article linked about is that the Chinese youth have as sense of optimism about the future. They want to be in China and they want to be a part of the uprising in economics that the country is going to see. Most of the students out here are more into "how do I give my GRE/GMAT/TOFEL". Just today I read that IIMB has a record number of summer internships abroad this year, is that something to be cheerful about?

Well its frustrating, to say the least, sometimes when you see and hear about politicians who are screwing India. If the amount of money amassed by out politicos is unearthed and bought back we may have a surplus sufficient to fund most of our programs for our underprivileged countrymen/women. But the question I keep asking myself is whether all this is going to change, soon or ever? Will the next generation of Gandhi's and Schindias lead India out of her misery by getting rid of this kind of politicians? Will we ever see the light of day? Or should we climb onto the bandwagon and look for better avenues on the other side of the fence and let the country fend for itself.

I love India and I hope I get to see her as that fair woman of beauty, glory and pride that she once was.