It sometimes astounds me when reading an article I or others have written, that someone can read the exact opposite of what was actually stated. So now that the British Government has decided to fully engage with the Government of Gujarat (the invitation was always open from the Government of Gujarat), and the Indian Government has announced more economic liberalisation, I thought I should repeat and update a column I wrote a couple of months ago before these two events, which led to the accusation I was in favour of re-colonisation of India by the British. My aim is to see an India elevated in deed not just word to her rightful destiny as the greatest nation on earth – so she can be a beacon to raise others.
A manifesto then for India may state the following:
It shall be the policy of this Government to invite all the best and brightest with incentives to lead our major institutions. So that we may learn from them, in place of thinking we know it all because our ancestors can be traced back to pre-history.
It shall be the policy of this Government to invite the British to run an anti-corruption ‘untouchables’ unit who will have the authority to set up and enforce an anti-corruption unit. Of course there is corruption in Britain, but we can no longer use that excuse for it to be in India too.
It shall be the policy of this Government to invite the British to run a national infrastructure programme throughout the country to ensure power grids do not lead to black outs for one in twelve people on the planet. Of course there are power cuts in Britain, but that is not an excuse for them to be in India.
It shall be the policy of this Government to invite British NRI’s to India with a red carpet welcome and immense respect– because they like Gandhi, Nehru and Patel, went to Britain for the opportunities it provided and with a British education and British training came back to India to lift a nation.
It shall be the policy of this Government to invite the British police force and security services to train the Indian police force and intelligence agencies. Whilst Britain has had failures in policing and security, none can be as incompetent as those that led to the Mumbai attacks.
It shall be the policy of this Government to once again ensure it will create a man or woman of whom at their passing the world will say, as they once did of the greatest Indian of them all, ‘The object of this massive tribute died as he had always lived – a private person without wealth, without property, without official title or office…not a commander of great armies nor ruler of vast lands. He could boast no scientific achievements or artistic gift. Yet men, governments and dignitaries from all over the world have joined hands today to pay homage to this little brown man. Pope Pius, the Archbishop of Canterbury, President Truman, Chiang Kai-shek, The Foreign Minister of Russia, the President of France… are among the millions here and abroad who have lamented his passing. This Indian had become the spokesman for the conscience of mankind, a man who made humility and simple truth more powerful than empires." Others will add "Generations to come will scarce believe that such a one as this ever in flesh and blood walked upon this earth."
To make Indians such as these, shall be the policy of this Government of India by all means and help necessary. Spurred on are we now by what we have seen the world achieve for fear we will be left behind.
Alpesh Patel
Political Animal 