[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.