PARIDHI AGGARWAL @ALPANA RASTOGI- INTERJECTION

I appreciate the issues you have raised; however, I would like to differ with you that British rule is the only sole reason for India’s backwardness.  India was not the only country to witness the colonial era, infact colonial rule was seen in most parts of the world. We should not forget that countries like USA and Australia too were under the colonial rule at some point of time.  Today their strong global position is a testimony of the fact that if nations work hard, affects of colonial past can be reduced and even eradicated. 60 years of Independence is indeed enough time for a nation committed to self development to reach the global heights. Infact we in 60 years have not been able to provide even basic food and job security to our countrymen. Poverty and unemployment still remain the major hurdles as they did when India got independent. You raised the point about Taj mahal and how some monuments in other countries never make it to the World Wonders list. Indeed that’s  true but we are here to promote our heritage  rather than glorify  a single achievement. Instead of being complacent about the achievement of a single monument, efforts should be made to protect other monuments and help them reach the same height so that India is able to show its true potential to the fullest. There are numerous historial sites which if protected and developed properly can turn into major tourist attractions but today lie in shambles because of sheer negligence. Regarding CWG, it’s not the opening ceremony that matters but the right infrastructure to host such global game events, which we lack badly if the news reports are anything to go by. You talked about various famous personalities and how they have been awarded, however I would like to say that here we are not talking of some single Sachin tendulakar or Zakir hussain, we are not even talking of awards, we are talking of the hundreds and thousands of equally talented people of our country who are not given a chance to show their talent.

I would like to ask you if cannot but agree that country development is all about masses and not about some selected few