Larger version published in The Tribune dated 23 January, 2011

Upbeat about India!

By

Randeep Wadehra

On 26 January 1950 the Government of India Act, 1935, of colonial vintage, was replaced with the newly independent India’s own Constitution – unambiguously proclaiming the country’s sovereignty. Various international experts had not given many years of survival to the nascent Republic of India. It was “too disjointed”, “too unwieldy”, said some while others pointed out that Indians were incapable of governing themselves; and still others thought that it would disintegrate under the weight of massive poverty, disease and anarchy that seemed to have gripped the country. Since then our country has come a long way from being a “basket case” and a “no hoper”. Today, India is being looked upon as an emerging superpower – according to Barack Hussein Obama it has already emerged. The compliment from the head of the most powerful state in the world is welcome, indeed. But what is our self-image? After all, it is our attitude that will ultimately decide our actions and hence the country’s future. Do we see ourselves as the nation that has “arrived” in the global big league? Or, do doubts linger still?

To find out, we posed six questions to our youth icons from different walks of life. Their answers were revealing – an optimum mix of idealistic dreams and practical attitudes. Despite the challenges and setbacks that the Indian Republic has been facing they are upbeat about the country’s future, and are fiercely proud of being Indians. They belong to the generation that doesn’t carry the emotional/attitudinal baggage of their preceding generations who have had direct experience of the Raj days. Today’s youth is loath to look back at India’s colonial past and prefers to look forward to a bright future. Optimistic, competitive, knowledgeable and full of chutzpa the young citizens of India would like to deal with the world on their own terms. They have very definite ideas about what is good for them and the country.

The questions were:

1. Which is the one field in which you feel that Brand India stands out?
2. How can the youth contribute to enhancing the image of Brand India?
3. What is the one negative impression/image about Indians that pinches
   you the most and you'd like to change?
4. For India, to what/whom would the year 2011 belong to?
5. Who, in your opinion, is truly the face of a global Indian?
6. The one patriotic tune you’d like to have on your cellphone/iPod?

Ronjan Sodhi had shot perfect 50 hits out of 50 in clay-pigeon shooting in the final and set a new world record with a score of 195 to clinch the coveted gold medal in double trap event at the 2010 ISSF World Cup held at Lonato, Italy. He also won two silver medals at the 2010 CWG and one gold medal at the 2010 Asian Games at Guangzhou, China. His answers:

1. It stands out for not just being a brand, but beyond that... where each one of us are intermingled beyond all boundaries... I mean our unity in diversity!
2. I think they are all doing their bit... but to strengthen it all Indians need to stand up together!
3. Inferiority complex about ourselves/not wanting to believe in ourselves is something that I would like us all to change...
4. I think all sportspersons, as 2010 was a year of new landmarks in the sporting field.
5. My favorite... Sachin Tendulkar!
6. "Maa tujhe salaam" by A.R. Rehman

Rajpal Singh, who captained the Indian hockey team during the CWG and the Asiad in 2010, is fiercely patriotic and woul

1 2 3 >>