I was quite amazed when I reached Eindhoven on 1st Feb this year. Travel from Schipol to Eindhoven took me across long stretch of beautiful country side, rich in green pastures, and not to mention those fat famous cows of Holland. Though the trip lasted only five months, I was astounded by the beauty of Netherlands. Roads without potholes, lanes clearly marked, and people strictly following traffic rules. Every now and then I drew comparison between India and Netherlands, like most other Indians would do on their maiden trip abroad. And like any other Indian I was hurt when I returned home.
For first few weeks after returning to India, I found it extremely difficult to drive, and I complained a lot everywhere. I saw utter chaos in everything. Pinnacle of indiscipline among our people was the most bothering issue. And as the days went by, this anguish subsided, and calm restored, because my tolerance to indiscipline and unruly behaviour of our people increased.
Then started the process of contemplation. Why are things so disorderly here in India, right from road traffic, to the queue in a supermarket. Why shopkeepers treat customers with contempt? Why officials chide the common man?
Lot of incidents triggered rage in me, but what could I do against them. I stood helpless, and had to succumb and yield to their harassment. A polite good morning to the officer will be responded with a scowl on his face. For sending a motorbike from Chennai to Coimbatore I went through one hell a of a time with booking officer, CRPF, coolies, delivery in-charge.
My friends call my reaction to such experiences ludicrous by stating that after all you were born and brought up here, and just a 5 month visit abroad makes you talk so much. I felt this BLOODY TOLERANCE has made them immune to everything!
With so many flaws in our administration, society, no wonder young students and professional go abroad, and settle there. Standard of living is so good, any Indian would be allured. But the same educated people are the ones I notice being the most unruly. Stopping 5 feet beyond the stop line at the signal, and inching forward while solid 15 secs is still left on the timer, rashly changing lanes risking others lives, jumping signals, puking while driving, breaking the queue, littering all around. So who is to be blamed?
Government for providing with poor infrastructure ( in some cases no infrastructure), or we the educated people who have no morality, ethics and discipline?
Country which saw the first developed civilization is now populated with uncivilized and so called educated class of youth. (Ha!!)
As Gandhiji rightly said "Be the change you want to see in the world". Although there is nothing we can do about rude shopkeepers, govt. officials and most importantly the corrupt traffic police (With whom I have suffered so much), we as the next generation should lead by example and improve our country's image.
And those of you, who read this, question yourself "How perfect am I ?" . I am striving hard to improve, and I wish to see them in others.
