A Slap in the face of Democracy
As an Indian living in the United Sates, I am really perplexed and frustrated at how we have handled the issue of Sonia's foreign origin. The ground relaity is that an Italian Born was able to relate better to the issues of the common man in India rather than the "swadeshi" politicians in the NDA. It is a shame that while India was shining, the poor had actually been waning.
Sonia spoke the language of the people, she and her allies made the people realize that the incumbent government has not done anything much to them. BJP has been reaping a bounty of votes by stressing repeatedly on religuious and social divides. How long a country with more Muslims than Pakistan could have tolerated such a divisive attitude
There has been huge outcry from my friends here about Sonia donning the mantle. Most of us forget that it is always the poorest of the poor who always throng the election booths to vote. The reason behind this is very easy to comprehend. The rich never care about who runs the country because whoever runs they will stay rich. The middle class according to me is one of the most selfish section of the Indian society. This class of society commments, complains but when the time arises when they can do something, they behave worse than insects. They act as spineless bodies who would rather watch "Bade Miyan Chote Miyan" on election day rather than casting their votes. The next day when the results are out, they begin their political analysis. The educated middle class in India does not have the right to talk about anything in this country. The poor are the only folks who go and vote in huge numbers atleast in a hope that the new Government might bring back some smiles to their faces. They really don't care whether Infosys is doubling their bonus or Intel opens a new facility. They care about their basic needs. They want three meals a day, a decent harvest and a peaceful atmosphere. BJP and its allies were not doing it and they bit the dust.
When Sonia's foreign origins come up, most of the Indians in the U.S have to say that this thing can never happen in the U.S. To me, it reflects two things 1) The inability of the United States to embrace diversity at the highest office 2) Indians here want to be just slaves. They do not want representation at the highest office. Some of the problems that immigrants face in the United States might have been solved if there was a lingering thought that someday an immigrant can hold the highest office.
I have found the arguments over her foreign origin illogical and stupid and here are my cockeyed ripostes to why she should have been the PM
1. India has a foreign cricket coach who has done the (w)right job to the bunch of "losers".
2. India has a lot of foreign jobs. We can give the western world one in return.
3. Ask the teens and kids in India, what they like better "Pizza or Idli". The answer has to be Italian.
Over the last few days, one of the more positive articles written in the English media of the country is here ... Read it
What's wrong with Sonia?
