Why Indians don’t give back to society

It's an interesting thesis, and certainly an easy one to apply to Indian society, but it seems like a simplistic interpretation of Hinduism, that moves largely away from its basic tenets towards its more tenuous derivative practices. That makes it easy to pick and choose individual aspects of Indian society and pain the wider social fabric a dark shade of gray. What about our moral conscience as a nation when we act as the single largest contributor towards U.N. peacekeeping operations around the world, enact a no-first-strike military policy in the face of a 2500 mile hostile border, etc.? What about the philantrophic activities of corporations like the Tata Group? What of the various laws we instituted that offered constitutional rights to every echelon of society, regardless of their social status as defined by the very same Hinduism the article purports as a cause of the nation's ills. The list on either side of the argument is unending and equally vacuous. There is no direct justifiable correlation between the nation being majority Hindu, and the I-me-myself free-for-all this article purports to analyse. I, like most Indians, would love to find that Holy Grail of an explanation that finally answers the question of "Why are we like that only?", but I'd prefer to keep my views to myself until I have an answer that a little less specious that this one.

Posted On 7/2/2009 10:32:32 PM

It's an interesting thesis, and certainly an easy one to apply to Indian society, but it seems like a simplistic interpretation of Hinduism, that moves largely away from its basic tenets towards its more tenuous derivative practices. That makes it easy to pick and choose individual aspects of Indian society and pain the wider social fabric a dark shade of gray. What about our moral conscience as a nation when we act as the single largest contributor towards U.N. peacekeeping operations around the world, enact a no-first-strike military policy in the face of a 2500 mile hostile border, etc.? What about the philantrophic activities of corporations like the Tata Group? What of the various laws we instituted that offered constitutional rights to every echelon of society, regardless of their social status as defined by the very same Hinduism the article purports as a cause of the nation's ills. The list on either side of the argument is unending and equally vacuous. There is no direct justifiable correlation between the nation being majority Hindu, and the I-me-myself free-for-all this article purports to analyse. I, like most Indians, would love to find that Holy Grail of an explanation that finally answers the question of "Why are we like that only?", but I'd prefer to keep my views to myself until I have an answer that a little less specious that this one.

Posted On 7/2/2009 10:32:32 PM

It's an interesting thesis, and certainly an easy one to apply to Indian society, but it seems like a simplistic interpretation of Hinduism, that moves largely away from its basic tenets towards its more tenuous derivative practices. That makes it easy to pick and choose individual aspects of Indian society and pain the wider social fabric a dark shade of gray. What about our moral conscience as a nation when we act as the single largest contributor towards U.N. peacekeeping operations around the world, enact a no-first-strike military policy in the face of a 2500 mile hostile border, etc.? What about the philantrophic activities of corporations like the Tata Group? What of the various laws we instituted that offered constitutional rights to every echelon of society, regardless of their social status as defined by the very same Hinduism the article purports as a cause of the nation's ills. The list on either side of the argument is unending and equally vacuous. There is no direct justifiable correlation between the nation being majority Hindu, and the I-me-myself free-for-all this article purports to analyse. I, like most Indians, would love to find that Holy Grail of an explanation that finally answers the question of "Why are we like that only?", but I'd prefer to keep my views to myself until I have an answer that a little less specious that this one.

Posted On 7/2/2009 10:32:32 PM

Aakar, have you considered the impact of the American tax system which actually is built around giving more in charity/philanthropy than leaving it behind in your estate -especially since what you leave behind for your own children is taxed at 50%. In INDIA there is no estate tax- I think that is a huge economic motivator for the success of the American "philanthropic" culture....Would love to hear / read more about this aspect if anyone has done any study on it- si

Posted On 7/4/2009 9:06:58 AM

Mind Blowing!, I was comparing notes yesterday with my friend on how the Customs at swedish airport trust you with declaring whatever duty-bound goods you are coming with in contrast with the Indian airport customs few years back who are there to pounce on you the moment they see an NRI returning. In some cases its true as well, like the case of Sheetal Mafatlal getting in jewelery without paying duty but shouldn't this be treated as one off cases?

Posted On 7/4/2009 9:49:31 AM

Interesting article that definitely makes one think and ponder. I do believe that parts of the article especially the first section does make sense but overall I think the author’s theory does have a number of holes in it. Firstly, there are a number of Indians who do give back to the society but it is not publicised. Just as everywhere else, there are a number of philanthropists and their contributions that we do hear about such as Azim Premji, Narayan Murthy, Tatas, etc and an even larger number that work behind the scenes such as Sachin Tendulkar. Secondly, I agree with the author that we as Indians are a Hobbesian society, but as stated by the very same theorist, Thomas Hobbes, this is for humans in general and not a society in particular. It does not seem to happen in economically well-off societies such as the United States and Western Europe as much as compared to economically impoverished societies such as India, but it does happen everywhere. The current economic crises is a perfect example of the Hobbesian nature of the banks, mortgage lenders, securitization firms, brokers, Madoffs, insurance companies like AIG and SEC officials that exist in the United States.

Posted On 7/4/2009 1:48:20 PM

offerings are not bribes. Praise of God is an inalienablepart of worship and is common to all religions. Phalam, Pushpam, Toyam ( fruits, flowers, and water ( says Krishna) are enough to plz God.Oferings are made to signify our humility and surrender of our petty egos and mundane lives to the power of the Lord.

Posted On 7/4/2009 3:44:12 PM

offerings are not bribes. Praise of God is an inalienablepart of worship and is common to all religions. Phalam, Pushpam, Toyam ( fruits, flowers, and water ( says Krishna) are enough to plz God.Oferings are made to signify our humility and surrender of our petty egos and mundane lives to the power of the Lord.

Posted On 7/4/2009 3:44:12 PM

offerings are not bribes. Praise of God is an inalienablepart of worship and is common to all religions. Phalam, Pushpam, Toyam ( fruits, flowers, and water ( says Krishna) are enough to plz God.Oferings are made to signify our humility and surrender of our petty egos and mundane lives to the power of the Lord.

Posted On 7/4/2009 3:44:12 PM

Indians dont give back to society not because they dont want to but becuz many of them can't.We dont have the luxury of western/developed society's social welfare system which protects them in old age, sickness , hunger etc. In India people have to fend for themselves without much help from a the govt which fosters a survival mentality which is but natural.

Posted On 7/4/2009 3:49:11 PM

Indians dont give back to society not because they dont want to but becuz many of them can't.We dont have the luxury of western/developed society's social welfare system which protects them in old age, sickness , hunger etc. In India people have to fend for themselves without much help from a the govt which fosters a survival mentality which is but natural.

Posted On 7/4/2009 3:49:11 PM

What is the alternative to prayer and appeasement and offerings. Is it DEMANDING from GOD or heaping ABUSE on HIM? God is not a begger waiting for our petty offerings or a corrupt official wanting His pond of flesh.He accepts every little thing we offer with pleasure provided we offer stuff to Him according to our capacity ( Yadha sakthi).

Posted On 7/4/2009 3:57:36 PM

Indian toilets are unclean not becuz of the users but becuz there are just too many people using too few toilets.

Posted On 7/4/2009 4:00:36 PM

Faith and culture has nothing to do with charitable activities of Hindus. Like any religion Hinduism advocates charity. western philonthro pists give a lot becuz they have much to give. Whatabout Birla's Hindustan Charitable Trust and the support and maintenance of the Srivenkateswara University, Super speciality hospitals coming from Hindu donations to Lord Venkateswara.Sri satya Sai's philantropic activities are well known in Rayalaseema of Andhra pradesh. The catholicpriests used to sell INSTRUMENTS of salvation signed by the POPE for money.How many Indians know that Mother Theresa used to convert distutes to Christianity.Plz refer to "Angel of Hell" movie made by westerners on her.I have no axe to grind against Christianity. Butii DEFINITELY AND STRONGLY OBJECT TO JUXTAPOSING TWO ENTIRELY DIFFERENT CIVILIZATIONS AND UNFAVORABLY COMPARING A DEVELOPING COUNTRY with developed former imperial, colonizing powers.

Posted On 7/4/2009 4:16:46 PM

I don't know why the author unnessarily dragged Lord Brahma into his article.It has no relevence as far as I could see.Lord Brahma is reality represents the parent in the microcosm. creation is not a big deal as any healthy human can reproduce like Bramhaji.It is a minor function.Hower mythology records Brahma worship.Asuras like Hiranyakashapa,Hiranyaksha and even Ravana did penace to plz Lord Brahma and received their boons. Preservation of the good people and destruction of evil doers is of prime importance and that is why Vishnu and Shiva are worshipped and Lord Brahma was relegated to a lesser position.

Posted On 7/4/2009 4:28:09 PM

I don't know why the author unnessarily dragged Lord Brahma into his article.It has no relevence as far as I could see.Lord Brahma is reality represents the parent in the microcosm. creation is not a big deal as any healthy human can reproduce like Bramhaji.It is a minor function.Hower mythology records Brahma worship.Asuras like Hiranyakashapa,Hiranyaksha and even Ravana did penace to plz Lord Brahma and received their boons. Preservation of the good people and destruction of evil doers is of prime importance and that is why Vishnu and Shiva are worshipped and Lord Brahma was relegated to a lesser position.

Posted On 7/4/2009 4:28:09 PM

Lord Brahma may not have anything to offer to us if we happen to worship. Well he is not meant to really speaking. But he does write our destinies on our forehead ( VIDHATA) which can be rewritten if we r in poverty by praying to Goddess Sri Mahalakshmi( Dhanika dwara nivasa durdosha doghdhreem). If Lord Brahma condemns to a life of poverty based on our past karma ( Live at the door step of the rich) then by praying to Goddesss sri Mahalakshmi we can get it changed.Atleast that is what KANAKADHARA STOTRAM composed by Sri Adi Sankara states.LOL.

Posted On 7/4/2009 4:36:30 PM

There is AFTERLIFE IN HINDUISM.What about the SWARGLOK ruled by Indra which full of pleasures including celestial nymphs.This is in consonance with Christian and Islamic after life idea.Well Christians want to spend afterlife with Christ and Hindus want to go to Vaikuntha or Kailash for spending their time withe with their ISTADEVATAS after exhausting their KARMA and after gaining the favor of their personal God.Reincarnation is scientific as MATTER IS PROVED TO BE INDESTRUCTABLE, IT ONLY TRANSFORMS INTO SOMETHING ELSE.lIFE IS NASTY, BRUTISH, SOLITARY AND SHORT IN HOBBESIAN SOCIETY. Is it not true that most Indans lead such lives?The western societies have forged a Lockeian society of SOCIAL CONTRACT IN WHICH THERE IS SOCIAL SECURITY FROM CRADLE TO GRAVE.wE R OFCOURSE PROGRESSING IN THAT DIRECTION.

Posted On 7/4/2009 4:50:14 PM

I think that the comments about the so called transactional nature of Hindu worship are quite UNJUSTIFIED.We need to praise God in all and any religion and hinduism is not alone in praise of God.In fact when christians go to church they refer it as doing praise and worship which is perfectly sound and natural.The Muslims have 99 names of Allah all extolling his gratness.Their favorite cry Allah Hu Akbar ( God is great is known to everybody).Krishna also says " I am pleased by whatever a devotee offers Phalam , Pushpam, Toyam meaning fruit, flower or water.Does this mean that God is getting bribed by thiese trivial offerings? Even vedic cermonies and rituals cost very little unless done on a grand scale during festivals.The whole idea of praise to God is humlingourselves and surrendering our petty egos and lives to Him/ Her.

Posted On 7/4/2009 4:54:06 PM

The author is a good writer -nothing more, nothing less. Yes - Indians are opportunistic. Try putting all the parameters - illiteracy, malnutrition, poverty, unemployment, pollution and see what kind of a person you get! Corrupted minds, insecure minds, opportunistic minds .. Any Indian would probably be a Ph D case for a psychology student overseas - the number of layers one can peel off till one really arrives at what the Indian wants ( who cares ? ). No Indian goes down a beaten path - there is no beaten path. He has to fend for himself and survive. A friend of mine resides in the US has a way to explain his decision - "I can be me" Why can't an Indian think this way ? Well, lets face it - the world is not yet for Indians - please instead of criticising and generalizing, start genuinely understanding that the aam aadmi does these things from a lack of conviction that life is going to be better if he betters himself.

Posted On 7/4/2009 5:43:38 PM

Dear Mr. Patel, This is one of the most beautifully written article i have ever read. It touched me to the core.

Posted On 7/4/2009 5:49:35 PM

pretty lazy analysis being a financial newspaper and all. all human behaviour is in responsive to incentives. now try again.try to analyse all behaviour in terms of incentives.you'll be surprised how much insight you'll gain.try

Posted On 7/4/2009 6:34:46 PM

Who says that Indians do not give back to the Society? If the writer is ignorant what to do? In fact those who are watching the toilets of Thailand or foreign countries it is their fault? Will Mr. Patel explain whether he has implemented any programme or a scheme which he had seen in foreign countries in the village or town where he was born?

Posted On 7/4/2009 10:37:14 PM

I do know if Aakar Patel is a practicing Christian, but he sure is not a practicing Hindu. The article is not even representative of semi urban/rural India. Entire RSS organization and its more than 100,000 service programs run on contributions from common Hindus. The author can claim that large business houses do not donate publicly (but consider Birla mandirs and Iskcon temples) but that might be more of a tax/publicity avoiding issue. Such slur on Hinduism should not be allowed. This article insults Hinduism. Perhaps you believe you can not be shot / your offices burnt if Hindus are insulted so it is a safe bet. Try doing same for Islam.

Posted On 7/4/2009 10:52:46 PM

I do know if Aakar Patel is a practicing Christian, but he sure is not a practicing Hindu. The article is not even representative of semi urban/rural India. Entire RSS organization and its more than 100,000 service programs run on contributions from common Hindus. The author can claim that large business houses do not donate publicly (but consider Birla mandirs and Iskcon temples) but that might be more of a tax/publicity avoiding issue. Such slur on Hinduism should not be allowed. This article insults Hinduism. Perhaps you believe you can not be shot / your offices burnt if Hindus are insulted so it is a safe bet. Try doing same for Islam.

Posted On 7/4/2009 10:53:39 PM

First of all good article. Things are changing...keep in mind. Its easy to blame on the past, system and others... but rather Author should suggest what can make better society and start with you first.

Posted On 7/5/2009 12:24:18 AM

Aakar, Your article gives an interesting take on some of the things that we routinely see. The views expressed in the column may be construed now only in the realm of hypotheses, but I think there is enough substance in it to make one stop and wonder...I am sure there must be other societies which share similar traits but that does not take away the specificity to Indians at hand. Makes us think about what we always take for granted...

Posted On 7/5/2009 10:56:13 AM

Good heavens..Aakar…such acidic outpourings for the weekend! As a doctor, I am giving you a free prescription of 20 mg Omez and a bottle of Gelusil/Digene. This should help keep the bile down. This prescription can be taken daily for as long as required. Wishing you all the best for better digestion and saner articles.

Posted On 7/5/2009 11:14:55 AM

The article is a good observation of Indians and Indian society, but offers no solution for change. At one level it is profound at another somewhat humorous, things we always knew about ourselves. We are like that only! I am middle class and my purpose in life is to break free from wants, get a steady well paying job, save lots of money, buy a house etc. As if this is not enough I also want to leave a nest egg for my progeny and theirs in turn if possible. Result? A great insecurity that dictates most of our actions. We don't give, because we have told ourselves that we do not have enough to give - even if we did have today, what about tomorrow? We are among the fastest growing economies in the world, there is evident wealth creation happening all around us -we should be both thankful and self confident. Our children have a good future and will make it in the final analysis. So, we should hrow our insecurities out of the window and get on with the business of life!

Posted On 7/5/2009 4:59:33 PM

well articulated aakar.think of adding 'roomal dalna', and 'the great Indian queue jumping technique' to examples of opportunism..

Posted On 7/6/2009 2:23:25 AM

Aakar, the fact that Indians, as a people, do not give a lot back is debatable. There are countless Indians who give back a lot of money that they earn and there are countless Americans who do not. Many informed readers have already given examples. What I'm worried more about is the loose way in which you have chosen to frame your argument. Religion and culture might play a role in deciding people's behavior, but they are not always the most important ones, and seldom the only ones. As you rightly said, people are driven by incentives. I would like to add that the more immediate these incentives are, the heavier is the impact. But the truth is that this is true for all societies, and all kinds of life-forms including humans, so your deductions about Indians are at best myopic. You have been tempted to think that low trust among people or a lack of concern for the 'common good', comes as a direct consequence of the way Hindus worship. You even seem to believe that a Hindu's relation with God is 'transactional'. To this, I would only say that either you have chosen to treat a religion very flippantly, or you do not understand it at all. The main reason why some Indians, and a lot others, behave the way they do is because of the paucity of the resources available to them. Unfortunately, for many Indians, it takes a lot of effort even to earn just enough to sustain their families. Social security is non-existant, and unless you run fast enough to outrun others in the race for life, you will soon realise that all the doors seem to close on you. When you consider this, and you consider the plight of children forced to sleep on empty stomachs almost every day as their parents work hard to make ends meet, you would realise that it is not entirely indecent to believe that the society has not done its bit for you. And that's what manifests itself in some of the behaviour you have observed. And of course, religion has nothing to do with it.

Posted On 7/7/2009 5:00:11 PM

[CONTD..] Allow me to digress as you have, from the question of 'giving back' to opportunism among Indians. It is still not clear how being an opportunist can restrain you from giving back to the people in need. Perhaps, you might want to study the life history of Bill Gates, one of the greatest philanthropist in your eyes, to clear your thoughts on this. As you say, one good way to judge a society is to see it in motion. Indeed, in metros, where Indians have had the good fortune to witness economic development, one can see encouraging signs, as 'opportunist' people patiently wait for their turn in immaculate lines outside ATM's and in department stores. Aakar, I'm afraid that your claim, as well as the explanation for the same is not convincing. I would rest my case by citing the example of the Tata family, which donates upto 14 percent of its annual net profits to philanthropic causes, and recently were recipients of the Carnegie Medal of Philanthropy. PS: Not all Indians are Hindus, atleast be politically correct when writing articles for wide circulation.

Posted On 7/7/2009 5:02:01 PM

Aakar, Loved reading your thought provoking article, especially your take on how collective good is lost on indian drivers. This rule is trumped only in the hill stations (ooty, kodaikanal where the collective good is enforced by the local drivers. Of course, drivers from city tend to display their ignorance, but they are screamed at by the locals, and they promptly fall in line.is there a lesson here? I think the question one asks as a driver in india is "what is my incentive for obeying rules? when all around i observe junta cutting lines!"

Posted On 7/8/2009 10:58:01 AM

A thoughtfull article. However, I have one question. How do you define culture? Holy books that are taught to us? Intructions on behaviour given to us by our parents/elders? Or that we learn in the school while standing in the prayers! What is Culture? HOw do we define it? I believe it is a bundle of some values that are set and practiced together. May be when we are small we see others practicing it and when we grow we adopt the same and continue to practice!! What we speak/think reflects in our actions! I believe this is what culture stands for! We are taught/in some cases influenced to think and act in different ways altogether and this means we spoil our representation of our culture - and this means common guidelines we observe and adopt to behave in a society - may be learned in the school or from elders around! Also, what form our thinking is the history that has left impression to mark changes in the future adn we are impacted heavily by Britishers who penetrated Curruption and generated thrust for selfishness! May be you me and we all who understand to form a good behavioural pattern can change it. It will take a long time though! - the same way it took hundreds of years to spoil us! - Regards, Hemant

Posted On 7/9/2009 5:55:40 PM

Extremely well-said. I've experienced every component of this article myself. I've gone through many of the comments, & I've something to say to everyone. The behavior is NOT explained by & CANNOT be excused by 'most Indians are poor and have to fend for themselves, thus do not have the time/energy to consider others around them'. It is an issue of the inherent Indian mentality. For example, Even here in the US, most of the Indian restaurants & Indian shops are extremely shabby, disorganized, & have some of the smelliest toilets in the country. The owners are very well off, drive to work in an S-class benz, and employ 10 other Indians. Yet, the store is shabby, the help unapproachable & ill-mannered, & the toilets remind you of ones in India. Unclean, wet, stinky, with bare amenities without which the US would take away their permits. I've been to American eateries on the road which were smaller & poorer, yet the people friendly & humble, & the toilets spanking clean. May I remind you these two places were within miles of each other. Again, I must emphasize the issue is about the ingrained mentality. Why do Indians rush to an airplane where each one is allotted seats -- even for international flights, where there is more than enough storage space! I have seen Indians who don't dare litter here, but as soon as they reach Mumbai, will carelessly throw garbage on the road, or out the window, using the excuse 'this is India, everything is "allowed" here.' And that's the root problem -- unless things are "dis-allowed", and people penalized, Indian's just don't give a damn themselves.

Posted On 7/10/2009 9:06:42 AM

Brahma as part of trinity is a very christian concept.Trying to understand Hinduism in the light of Cristian concepts brought in the idea of Hindu Trinity. Thrimurthy in Hinduism is totally different. But, That apart the article is a good conversation starter. Generalizations can be made about any society. I do not agree that indian or Hindu do not give. Public works such as building water bodies, irrigation system public choultries etc is part of Hindu ethos -- have you forgotton Annadana? Hindus don not advertise their philantrophy. Hinduism does not expect tithing [ which often masks as philanthropy or giving to church] US Philanthropy starts with "your tax deductible contribution" -- if there was no tax write off -- giving will not be a great business -- I know I work with non profits and it is a very big business. Are driving habits any better in a predominantly muslim country like Bangladesh or Pakistan? French drivers and Italian Drivers -- do they drive that way because they are of a certain faith ethos? Hindus do give when they need to; without the fanfare. Bartering with the divine is part of every faith at the non philosophical, daily life level.

Posted On 7/10/2009 4:46:42 PM

I read your comments and feel you have been unfair to the Indian as such, I have some reservations. Given a chance every human including the Singaporean, an American or a European would also like to behave in the same manner, as described, if the policing was poor. It is the lack of serious consequences and the easy manner in which one gets away with the minor social misbehaviour that such acts become rampant and embedded into a populace. It is human nature to do things against authority, to eat a stolen fruit or look at a woman whose not one's wife. People anywhere in the world would love to speed, or jump the lights. It is natural instinct which is trained into obedience through good policing and harsh consequences. Hopefully someday enforcement will improve and everyone would become well-behaved in India too. Further to be taken into consideration is that India is a true democracy, young and not yet fully mature. It is becoming all the more difficult to enforce things when everyone's views are to be taken into consideration and a consensus be reached. Over the years the system has somewhat found itself in a comfortable equilibrium of tolerance and acceptability and hence the chance of change seems bleak in the near future. The Indian on the other hand is extremely helpful, caring and good. The riches are bountiful and need to be acknowledged. Aj

Posted On 7/11/2009 1:50:58 AM

Dear all, I have been working here in U.A.E since last 10 years. I would like to share bitter experiense which I got Indian company which I am working and Indian colleges I am working with. I have been bullied by them since I am very nice person I wondered why Indians are bullying Indians? Even animals wont eat the same animal. I am not saying that you have to give monetary help to society. Most of the Indian's are not giving back but they prevent others to give back I will give one example. Here in U.A.E every thing you need N.O.C. For poeple who is coming here without much formal education and skills have to suffer a lot. For them Driving job is the only hope.If he wanted to learn driving he need to obtain N.O.C from the employer. If the employer is the Indian or employer's advisor is Indian there is no hope.what they are saying is that once they will get licence they will go away. If your giving a job according to his qualification and skill why should he go.Even if he is going also what you are loosing.if your are loosing one guy, hundereds are ready to work half of the salary who left. Here we can see win win situation. One of my observaion is that Indian employees are better than Indian employer. And the same employee bocome bad when he become employer Another thing I notice here that If you are pathetic condition everybody will be mercyful to you. If you will prosper yourself the same person who have been pathetic to you will become jelous on you. Another intersting thing I would like to appreciate the western poeples attitude. Most of them are dont worried to give N.O.C and other facilities to their emplyees.They seems to be very generous. I must appreciate U.A.E nationals love which I wouldnt got from our Indians. They are very generous.What is the situation in India.Even interstate poeple are fighting each other. Even a person from one state will not get good treatment to other state.What is happening in Maharastra.

Posted On 7/20/2009 1:24:10 PM

I agree with Sunetra about scarce resources mainly because of population and the constant competition Indians face from their developmental age. Also, observations are very correct but how does it relate to any religion. Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are only applicable to Hindu religion but India is a great mixture of religions and castes and sub castes. Why lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are worshipped more can easily be explained. In ancient times any king was considered a form of Lord Vishnu and any origin of a river is considered to be a temple of Lord Shiva. Thus Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva are popular and accessible. Also, Lord Vishu’s wife Goddess Devi Lakshmi is a goddess of prosperity and Lord Shankar’s wife Devi Parvati is a goddess of good food (Annapoorna). All these are understandable even to illiterates, unlike Lord Brahma who is the creator, relates to the knowledge of Vedas, distinguishing the good from the bad and his wife Devi Saraswati, the goddess of Knowledge. Safety and food are basic needs of anyone. Knowledge of the universe will always come later.

Posted On 7/20/2009 4:07:01 PM

I disagree with the statement that Indians do not give back to society. Many industrialists from the Tatas through the ages to first-gen industrialists like Tulsi Tanti of Suzlon, Narayan and Sudha Murthy, Piyush Desai of Wagh Bakri, the late Kasturbhai Lalbhai, the late Vikram Sarabhai, etc, have been strong on social initiatives. We have many indigenous NGOs who have blazed an international trail. Also, many families have been giving back through temples and other holy places, trusts, etc. Also, the spending on basic comforts for an average Indian is often a higher percentage than what people spend in the west leaving less for social causes. However, I do agree that people of our country should be made aware of their duty towards social development through donations, support, volunteerism, activism, better civic discipline, etc.

Posted On 7/21/2009 9:59:03 AM

Whatever the merits of the other points made in this Article, I disagree with the reasoning for low tax compliance. The reason for detioriating tax compliance was simple, the government with their socialistic blinkers kept hiking tax rates to astronomical levels. This was suposed to result in Garibi Hatao, with wealth transfered from rich to poor, but it was always a sham. Instead what happened, was that the wealth of the country was transfered from the honest and productive rich to the dishonest and parasitical rich, who were mainly cronies of the ruler's. Indian Democracy ( rule of the people ) degenerated into Kleptocracy ( rule of thieves ). Over the last 20 years as this insane policy was slowly reversed, the tax compliance has slowly increased. Unfortunately a different type of kleptocracy based on caste entitlements has now arisen. Politicians now buy votes by promising goodies and reservations to their target caste, which ofcourse has to be stolen from the rest of the people. It obviously results in fracturing of any sense of solidarity within the society, if some groups are prefered above others.

Posted On 7/25/2009 2:08:26 PM

Dear Mr. A Patel, Firstly let me congratulate you on provoking a tolerant Hindu very elegantly with few of those ‘english’ words which we as Indians were ‘opportunist’ enough to imbibe. At the same time I also apologise that I am offensive to you in the following paragraphs. Why don’t we worship ‘Brahma”? What a question? It would have been more appropriate if the question was phrased as “why I don’t worship Brahma?” Well, Mr. Patel do you worship Ayyappa, Murugan, Vaisho Devi, Balaji, Alamelu, Meenakshi, Kamakshi, Vishalakshi, Trimbakeshwar, Baijnath, Amarnath, Vishweshwar, Vishwanath, Kedarnath, Ranganathan, Panduranga? And, if not why? If so, why? Who has given you the freedom to worship any of these deities or not worship them at all? It is the same religion which you talk of breeding “opportunists”. By the way no body tells you not to worship Brahma. By this article of yours you have joined the elite group of Mr Karunanidhi etal, who knowing very well that Hinduism is a way of life, much absorbent and tolerant, leaves no ‘opportunity” in ridiculing it to gain some cheap publicity. This is the region which has given “opportunity” for number of new schools of thought in form of Advaita, Dwaita, Shaivism, Vaishnavism, Jainism, Buddhism or Marxism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism and got matured with each new philosophy. By claiming that an average Hindu is an opportunist you have made public about the poverty of knowledge you have about religions in general and Hinduism in particular.So, you can try but not join Karunanidhi because, he knows what he is doing and you don't. I want to know, what spectacles do you were to distinguish between a Hindu ‘opportunist’ and a Christian or a Muslim in the road traffic? Or is it your short-sightedness made you write a write-up like this? You should be thankful to the land which even treats you like any other petty ‘opportunist’ trying to make a name out of confronting a billion people of the region. Regarding Indians requiring constant policing to abide by law with-in India, Mr Patel, please touch your heart (if you have one) and say where all you have spat, micturated, thrown plastics, bought plastics, planted trees, paid the taxi/auto-rickshaw without bargaining so on and so forth? Even if you don’t reveal the truth to us, you, your friends, relatives and children around you know about it. Also let me know what is your social contribution for upliftment of these opportunistic Hindus (you being one, I presume) from being thugs towards responsible citizens? Other than harping in a shoddy blog, which unfortunately I had the agony to go through, what has been your contribution towards the population which you have taken the liberty to opine upon? When it comes to separate announcement for Indians by airlines, it was the same when MK Gandhi was there in South Africa. Only the style has changed but not the intension. If you had attributed the characteristics that you have mentioned to the South-East Asia, it would not have drawn much attention. But, you made your vested intension very clear by bringing in the religion. “We do not think stealing from the state is a bad thing, and our ambiguity extends to corruption, which also we do not view in absolute terms...” you must be thankful to your senses that it still worked (which, I doubt, you had any) for you when you were making such ridiculous accusation. Did you read Naipaul beyond the first line of that marvellous work? “Hinduism recognizes that the world is irredeemable...” that actually means that people like you also exist and nothing new about it and that is the truth and also that the sunrises from east and that is also the truth and nothing one can do about it. This is not pessimistic my dear, it is authoritative. “This is the primary lesson of the Vedic fire sacrifice. There is no benefit to one without loss to another. Religion is about bending god's influence towards you through pleas, and appeasement, through offerings...” I thank God that I’m a Hindu and he has given me the opportunity to listen to this also. I do not want further my comments on your subsequent paragraphs, which I know is full of garbage in abundance, that it will only stink the more I dig. Returning to the question, ‘why we don’t worship Brahma?’ Now I know. He had created people like you and how does one expect lesser mortals like me to worship Him, instead of wondering

Posted On 8/11/2009 12:05:14 AM

I dont know why this much craze for mocking at indians.. See.. every society can flourish only when their governmental system is accountable, and proper. The success of US, and germany is largely because of their strong government backing, and proper government instruments.. So as japan.. But in india, we have been suffering from implicit weakness of the government.. The very fundamentals of our government are completely separated from the people's conscience.. the beurocracy has degraded to such level.. the elections, the democracy, and all the comedy happening in the name of this, are all very sickening. Imagine, if US has a democratic and government system like india has, what will happen to it? Will it prosper? or will it be able to govern itself effectively.. We all have seen, how their society responds when the government broke down during cyclone katrina few years before.. And we had also seen how our people responded when mumbai was standstill due to cyclone.. This makes the larger difference.. please think twice before you criticise indians or india

Posted On 8/19/2009 10:00:16 PM

There is no doubt to the fact that Indians are opportunists. But a lot of it should be attributed to poor education system and the inflexible system and environment that is prevalent in India. To attribute all this to a religion will be naive and a gross mis judgment. Hinduism is the only religion which advocates the fulfillment of duty without any desire for the end result. It tells you to work for the society and think like a saint with no desires. It inspires us to do good deeds like one does a religious rite. It cites action as the only path to salvation. All these are direct statements from Bhagvat Gita. So the article is shortsighted and lacks proper research for the reasons cited. But I do agree that Indians are short sighted and dont give back to society. But I would attribute that to the mass poverty, lack of opportunities, environment in which an Indian is brought up, the family system, poor education system which just kill your individuality and make everyone almost the same. When fight for bread is the biggest fight no one will care for others. There is cut throat competition in everything and you get no breather for thinking about the society. So attributing all this to religion is an absolute blunder. The example of bending the traffic rules cited above can be easily refuted. Since childhood no one sees any obeyance of the laws and order around themselves. One sees the law makers as the law breaker. There is simply no order to be observed. So you cannot expect an absolutely law abiding person to grow up in such situations. Inspite of all this I would say that Indians are a passive lot. How many people you see break the law. There are a few but the majority stay on the right side. People always try to follow the right side here but the system makes them so fed up that eventually some break down and twist the law to their advantage. It is more like a chain effect. So the author shld have done more research before commenting.

Posted On 8/21/2009 2:44:22 AM

I think aakar patel has a lopsided view of indian society and hinduism as he has seen it probably coming from a society of takers (gujarat). India is a large country with so many different ways of thinking. Indians probably are the biggest givers if you consider that they do the most for their families. They take care of their parents, children unlike in the west, probably coming from its major religion hinduism. MS Subalakshmi, Vivekananda, the freedom fighters such as Savarkar and many other ordinary indians who contribute to charity and sacrifice their lives for the country. Unlike in the west and other religions indians and hindus do not advertise. Probably, in the west, considering the large sums that they have fleeced from others, they do need to adverstise their charity and goodness.

Posted On 8/22/2009 7:18:19 PM

What has Aakar Patel given to society, except for negative feedback

Posted On 8/22/2009 7:44:03 PM

I think it will be very unfair to say that"Society has no role in your advancement and there is no reason to give back to it". If we are talking about Tata's ,Premji , Ruia ,Hinduja's , Ambani's ,Birla's etc they do offer there charity to politicians for there ulterior motives. Also we including me should stop blaming so called "Indians in general " and follow the old adage " hum badlenge jag badlega" !!

Posted On 9/11/2009 2:18:18 PM

Lets not confuse Hindu religion - with Indian person or any other nations, look around, other than western world and not to say western world does not have it's own issues - it's a style or manner issues. It's all about what a person feels about oneself and how they want to be treated by others. So the writer's manners need to be self reflective, how do you want to be treated by others in a growing and developing society.

Posted On 9/24/2009 6:05:56 AM

Just to prove the concept of faith, Authour misused Hinduism and religion. It shows poor analysis and ignorance that he lack basic understanding on religion. I doubt the credentials of Author to even bring an irrelevant issue attached with Brahma. Hinduism has trillion gods and believes there is a godly presence in every being - It preaches god lives in you "aham brahmasmi" - Universe is named after brahma, brahmaandam "Give" is an ethical and behavioral element based on social status and economical status of a person. There should be a selfless motive to drive this across. You should have a solution or a proposal before you criticize..... Its illogical to tie with religion.

Posted On 10/3/2009 4:08:36 AM

I wont agree to it completely, I have so many indians, starting right from my home, who gives back to soceity by helping others. In India, we dont mind stealing from govt. because we know they dont spend our money judiciously, its because of corrupt system. In Cyprus, we are helping one organisation, and the only people whom I have seen most coming fwd to help are indians. For others their personal lives comes as priority.

Posted On 10/5/2009 12:05:20 PM

Beautiful & well written blog. It would have been better if it was kept separate from religion, since the problem is applicable to complete Indian-subcontinent. Hindu's being opportunistic & not worshipping Brahma could have been given as examples. Result of mixing religion is people(like me) are commenting more on that rather than the subject of the blog. Finally, I still don't know why "Indians" behave in such manner. In next blogpost you should think about "Why same Indians behave differently when Abroad"

Posted On 10/15/2009 4:40:30 PM