Why is the West not curious on the great Indian ЁЯЗоЁЯЗ│ civilization?
This week Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Norway. The government rolled out the red carpet. King Harald invited for lunch. All bigwigs of Norwegian business turned up. This is of course as it should be at such a historic visit.
Rather different was media. No curiosity, no real attempt to understand India. When the third most powerful man in the world visits Norway, you may expect some real interest? An attempt to understand the worldтАЩs third largest economy, a global green leader, one of the worldтАЩs brightest civilizations??
ItтАЩs not that Norway is overrun with visit at this level. Last Indian top visit was Indira Gandhi in 1983. Last Chinese president visit was 1996, last American president was 2009.
Here are some taste bits from Norwegian media:
* Aftenposten the largest newspaper printed a caricature of Modi as a snake charmer, many found it racist and derogatory. The accompanying article (written by an otherwise brilliant journalist) described Modi as a тАЬslightly annoying manтАЭ and simply showcased that India is not high on the papers reading lists.
* Norsk rikskringkasting (NRK), the state broadcaster, explained тАЬwhy prime minister St├╕re is clearing his desk to receive ModiтАЭ. From everyone outside Norway I got exactly the opposite question: Why did Modi use his valuable time in such a small and insignificant place?
* Dagsavisen, a left of center daily, sent a young journalist to throw questions after Modi - claiming that India is 157 on a global democracy ranking. When a ranking is so contrary to common sense - why doesnt she ask those who created the ranking why they spread such nonsense?
I am not aware of one Norwegian journalist closely following India. NOT ONE! How can the public learn more?
Unless you believe democracy only fits a handful of small, homogenous, ultra rich western nations, India is the miracle of democracy. The large, complex, lingustically and religiously diverse nation with many poor people - which has etablished a vibrant democracy and is much less violent than Europe or America.
India can in fact make a claim to be the worlds most homegrown and impressive democracy.
We are entering the Asian century. Unless we Europeans become more curious - to civiliazation, history, politics and economy in the Global South - we will become the big losers of history.
In defense of Indian ЁЯЗоЁЯЗ│ democracy!
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi most successful visit to Norway a minor incident happened. A Norwegian journalist demanded that the prime minister starts holding press conferences. She claimed that Indian democracy is in bad shape.
May be its time to pause? May be its time to be a bit curious to the worldтАЩs largest democracy?
Two weeks ago five Indian states and territories held elections. The turn out in the battlefield state of West Bengal was 94%. In the last local election in Norway it was 62%, in many European local elections turn out is below 50%. Can voting in massive numbers be a signal Indians trust their democratic process?
In the same election BJP won big in Assam and West Bengal. It lost even bigger in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Can this diversity be a signal that Indian democracy is reflecting the will of the people?
The journalist referred to a democracy ranking putting India at 157 in the world, behind many dictatorships and deeply troubled states. When a ranking is so obviously contrary to common sense, why not ask critical questions to those making the ranking rather than demand that leaders shall comment on nonsense? I recommend Salvatore Babones book тАЬDharma democracyтАЭ. The book debunks convincingly the flawed methodology of these rankings.
It was referred to a ranking claiming itтАЩs very dangerous to be a journalist in India. Reality is that it is more dangerous to be journalist in the US and far more dangerous in the vast majority of other nations in the world.
LetтАЩs be real. India is not perfect. Of course there are incidents. India has a population the size of North America, South America and Europe combined. But India is much more peaceful than Europe or the Americas. ThatтАЩs remarkable - given the ethnic, language and religious diversity of India and the many development challenges.
Unless we consider democracy a form of government only suited for some very small, peaceful and homogeneous Western European nations, may be we should commend Indian democracy?
India is the only major former UK colony which became and has remained a democracy. Its sometimes claimed that the Brits taught India democracy. If that was the case why isnтАЩt Myanmar or Pakistan or the Gulf kingdoms democracies??? Reality is that Indian democracy is both homegrown and extraordinary successful.
BJP's Suvendu Adhikari WON Bhabanipur Seat by 15000 VOTESЁЯФеЁЯФеЁЯЪй
He showed his winning certificate after clinching the Bhabanipur assembly seat with a landslide against the West Bengal CM and TMC candidate Mamata Banerjee.
He says, "This was very important. Defeating Mamata Banerjee was crucial. This is Mamata Banerjee's retirement from politics... This time, too, she lost by over 15,000 votes. Muslims voted for her openly. In Ward No 77, all the Muslims who came out to vote voted for Mamata, and Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists blessed me and made me win. This victory is a victory for Hindutva... All the CPM's strong supporters voted for me. The CPM had 13,000 votes in Bhawanipur, and at least 10,000 of them were transferred to me. I also express my gratitude to the CPM voters down there. All the Bengali Hindus voted openly for me. Along with them, Gujaratis, Jains, Marwaris, Purvanchalis, and the Sikh community all voted openly for meтАж Amit Shah called me two or three times. He also expressed some concern about Bhabanipur. I told him a while ago. I haven't spoken with anyone else. I wasn't allowed to use the phone, so I didn't speak. I'm going to tell him now. He's waiting. I also need to get the Nandigram certificate."