Modernity and Progressiveness

To be modern, progressive, is a state of mind.

It means we have the capacity to think afresh, to critically examine the past, analyze it in detail with complete honesty, and keep those elements that have proven to be beneficial, beautiful, inspiring, while outright rejecting elements that have been exploitative and ugly.

That's being modern and progressive.

It does not mean anti-traditional :). It's not a binary :). As I mention above, we certainly persist with the good stuff, and only reject the not so good stuff :). That's only commonsensical :).

It most certainly does not mean "Western" :).

Again, we certainly can, and must, adopt and incorporate whatever is of value from all around the world. But this is different from blindly aping the west or unnecessarily reducing our respect for our own culture and heritage. We too bring beauty to the world. We needn't lose sight of that.

Are you getting what I'm saying?

Japan has its own cultural beauty to offer. And it can very well do so while still being modern and progressive. It does not have to become exactly like America and Europe to be thought of as being modern and progressive :).

So with Bhutan.

So with Thailand.

So with Africa.

So with us.

There is no pride to be felt in arriving at a stage where we can go: "Wheeee :), Mummy Mummy dekho, Ham bhi America, England aur France waale bhaiyya aur didi jaise ban gaye ...".

Are you able to sense the stupidity I'm pointing at :)?

Come on :)! Be a little firm :), hold your ground :), make the world sense and acknowledge your presence :)!