The real India
On paper:
9% GDP growth, IT powerhouse, biggest democracy in the world!
We burn witches.
We hit school kids.
Which is the real India?!
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Eh, whats up doc? 
um. i dont think we burn witches anymore! and school kids out here dont get hit by teachers, they just shoot each other!
though, its not all good!
follow the links, mate! tis true!
aargh…its true…they are burning witches…we have been transferred back to the dark ages!
It depends on what you mean by “real”.
The truths involved here have varying statistical significance.
9% GDP growth does not reveal that a section of the Indian population is growing poorer. Same with the IT powerhouse. While that is true, what is also true is that other industries aren’t doing as well. Biggest democracy, yes. But far from ideal as well. However the growth figure and the democracy quote do relate to an aggregate population measure. The two incidents you mention are not statistically significant, that is not saying that they are not important enough to consider. I mean, if you meant your question “Which is the real India?” non-rhetorically, I would go with the more statistically representational statements.
Of course, at a less quantitative level, they all represent the “real” India. There is progress, and simultaneously there is regress/underdevelopment.
Which is the real India?
It is a normative question, not a positive one.
For the most part, agree with your comment.
I feel that looking at those incidents from a “is it statistically significant” viewpoint, tends to devalue human life! Just because we are a populous country, we cannot divide by a billion every time right?!
“we cannot divide by a billion every time right?!”
Yes, and no. By that I mean, for what purpose is the question asked? If it is a budgeting question, then the greater good gets the larger piece of the pie. If it is a question regarding social reform, the statistically-insignificant human lives are otherwise very significant.
Agreed!
There is progress – how about looking at it this way: For hundreds of years we’ve been hitting kids and burning witches – Now we progress: The (completely free) media reports, sensationalises, thwacks the authorities in the face. To solve the problem we must accept it first and that is a sign of progress if there ever was one. 9% GDP growth does not filter down to the masses immediately, but i due course of time it will. Check USA when the railroad tycoons were minting the stuff or when ‘Gangs of New York’ style movies were made – If the country is on an upswing, in time everyone benefits
‘Gangs..’ movies were based rather than made 😛
they both are… we are a dichotomous people and we always have been.
There is the worship of Shakti, and the disrobing of Draupadi…
There is the heroism of a Prithviraj Chauhan and the scheming of a Jaichand…
Parents are supposed to be Gods, yet the elderly are abandoned !
Girls are considered to be ‘ghar ki lakshmi’ yet there is female foeticide !
calamur,
Welcome to my blog! Good to see you here.
Yes, sad but true, we are a dichotomous society.
Sometimes I wonder about the basis for the state of India.
What is it? Is it a homogeneous culture? Is it a union of diverse states (a la EU), with a common market and a relatively homogeneous mythology binding us?!
India is like “Maria” in Sound of music….