Stop Blaming Outsiders!

We need to be done with blaming others for our troubles!

Agree that the British empire was one mammoth parasite that sucked many a part of the world dry and created unprecedented poverty and misery.

But ask yourself: Why were they able to set up their empire here?

Answer: We spent so much time under their rule because (a) different kingdoms were busy fighting with each other instead of uniting in the face of a common enemy, (b) we had "sell outs" within and (c) we allowed ourselves to get divided. Remove these factors and this land would have never lost its richness : material, cultural and spiritual.

And what's different today?

Our political leadership at the state and center levels needs to act as a unifying force and take the country forward. Is it doing so? We should be demanding that all the Chief Ministers interact with each other continuously and ensure that different states help each other whenever needed, share their resources, and visibly demonstrate a "family spirit" that the citizens can be inspired by and imbibe in themselves. We should be demanding that the central government and all state governments interact continuously in the manner of a cohesive cooperative nation. Elections come and go. But this spirit cannot be compromised. Are we seeing this?

We still feel divided on the basis of religion. The Divide and Rule policy of the British is 6th standard high school history! What's the point of learning it, what's the point of education, if we still allow people to exploit us on the basis of this division.

We are still divided along the lines of caste! Why can't we resolve to just junk this caste hierarchy and live without sentiments of higher and lower? The terms Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya, Shudra are *not* a vertical hierarchy based on birth! This is a known fact! They are simply qualities: Aspiration For Knowledge, Valor, Economic Skills and Capacity To Exert Labor Whenever Needed. And everyone needs to develop these qualities within himself or herself to the best extent possible.

We have so many languages, so many cultures, so many art forms! Isn't this something to be celebrated? Shouldn't we have a spirit of cultural exchanges between different parts of the country? And look at what we are doing instead! One actually experiences hostility and alienation when one travels to different parts of the country! This is meaningless! By considering the whole country as our home, everyone gains! Everyone can feel welcome everywhere! Where is the problem with this?

Don't we allow others to use all these useless divisions, deepen them, exploit them, to their advantage? Why do we allow this?

This is *our* land. If we get our act under control, no one can mess with us - within or without!

And the first step would be: Stop blaming others and take complete responsibility for our destiny!

As a wise man once said: Every time you point a finger at someone else, notice that three fingers of your own hand are pointing back at you! You are three times more responsible for your destiny than anyone else!