A day in the life of LIFE

At the stroke of midnight on 14th August 1947, the world slept, while India awakened to a new dawn, according to the words of Pandit Nehru. What seemed to be an almost impossible task - forming a union of 500 odd princely states that were as diversified as the colors of a butterfly, was nearly achieved, thanks to the efforts of the Iron Man of India - Sardar Vallab Bhai Patel. (I don't agree with Mr. Jaswant Singh's comments on Sardar Patel handing over Pakistan to Jinnah).

The skeptics frowned, betting on how quickly India would disintegrate based on the myriad plurality and the presence of a wafer thin commonality in social fabric.

62 years later, India has surprised many, and has become a case study in itself even as we speak today. Even as the swine flu pandemic sweeps the nation, the mood around is upbeat.

Incidentally, it was just this afternoon as the class on "Emerging Economies and Business" was in session at IIM, the core focus of the entire elective was the BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China) and how they are going to shape the world order by 2050.

Very interesting discussions on comparing and contrasting the "white tiger" with the "red dragon" happened, and how the world's obsession of India versus Pakistan has now shifted to India versus China.

The Chinese are industrious and determined - and are less threatened at their borders than us. Yet, they are beginning to get wary of the Great Indian resurgence. Recent reports of China increasing its focus on its southern neighbor are indicative of this fact.

Another contrast was made with that of Japan. The Professor opined that the thought of "Japan is for the Japanese" is more than that of "India is for Indians". The nationalism quotient is so high in Japan that their resurrection post World War II has been just incredible. India at times slips into spells of siesta (the famed South American nap)and needs to be shaken up to be urged to move ahead.

All said and done, Indian dominance in the trade relations the world over is definitely looking upwards. What looked impossible a decade and a half ago seems to be materializing - quick and fast. The Finance Minister has predicted 6.5% growth by 2010 despite the recession - and this holds a lot of significance for the nation.

As I may have mentioned in a couple of previous posts, the world which earlier used to worry about the future "of" India, is soon recognizing the fact that the future "is" India.

Even as we transition from Janmashtami to Jashn-e-Aazadi, at the stroke of midnight on 14th August 2009, the world awakens, to celebrate India's new dawn and it's about time to acknowledge that there is no better time than NOW, to be an INDIAN - Jai Ho!

Image below : India on NASDAQ.