Why India is called a developing country. Why are we poor despite the fact that we have a lot of natural resources? Since long, I have been seriously trying to find out the answer. We have rich culture. We gave GITA to the world. We gave many religions-Buddhism, Jainism, Sikkhism, etc. to world. Not only in literary field, we do have contributed in the field of science also. Our country has all seasons. We have highest numbers of technocrats with rich knowledge; etc. etc.
Slowly I realized that somewhere something is wrong. And that wrong I found in our attitude. Resources do not make any country. It is its productive use that makes a country rich. Two examples- Switzerland & Japan are in front of us. Despite having almost nil natural resources; despite dropping of Atom Bomb by Americans, Japan’s economy is more stable and sustainable.
Recently I got a chance to visit some of the European countries-Spain, Switzerland, Germany & France on 6th of February, 2011. I commenced my journey by Swiss flight No.LX 147 ex Delhi to Zurich at 0205 Hrs. It reached Zurich at 0625 Hrs. (Local time). There is a time difference of 4.30 hrs between India and Europe. It means in India time of arrival at Zurich was 10.55hrs. Being east, Sun arises in India 4.30 hrs earlier as compared to Europe. The temperature at Zurich was -2. Zurich is one of the important cities of Switzerland. There from, I straight proceeded to Basel by Coach. I reached Basel (industrial capital of Switzerland) at 11.30 hrs. Switzerland is very beautiful. Most of the buildings are very old (as old as 1775 AD), but well maintained. Roads were much cleaner- no horn blowing by any vehicles. Metro/tram and other public transport system are very good. Vehicles were paying full respect to pedestrians by giving way to them. Vehicles were observing traffic signals and no one was found crossing red light. People are disciplined. Basel is near a river-Rhine. Population of Basel is only 170000. Basel University is very old-established in 1460 AD. At present 12000 students. They speak French (20%) and German (40%). People know English. We stayed at Swissotel. Vehicles are right side driven. Switzerland is a Nation of lakes and tunnels. Lake Geneva has spread in 582 sq km. Longest surface tunnel is 17 KMs. long. However, longest tunnels (including underground) is 51 Kms, which connects France with England.
On 7-2-2011, I toured whole of Basel City. In Switzerland, it is compulsory for every citizen to take military training for 5 yrs. Since climate is cold, houses are made of half wood and half concrete. Most of activities are mechanized. No policeman was seen on the road. Whole of the Europe is covered under CCTV. Industries of Switzerland are: Tourism (38% Indians), Banking, Watch making and Pharmaceuticals. On 8-2-2011, I started my journey for mount Titlis at 8 AM. We reached at Titlis Mountain at 9-50 hrs. Temperature was -9. It is above 10000 feet above sea-level. I walked on snow. I came back to Zurich in the evening. On the way, another city-Luzern came where we stayed for 3 hrs.-beautiful city near a lake. I saw buses running on electricity. There are churches and watch/chocolate shops. We can see hilltops full of snow from the city. Average cow in Switzerland gives 60 liters of milk. I went to Germany (Berlin) by flight No. LX 962 started at 2040 hrs and reached Berlin at 2210 hrs. I stayed at Best Western President in Berlin. During the city tour of Berlin on 9th, I saw Berlin Wall. On 10-2-2011, I departed to Madrid (Capital of Spain) at 1555 hrs. by flight no. Ezy 4511 and reached Madrid at 1955 hrs. I stayed at Hotel Silken Puerta in Madrid. During the city tour of Madrid, I saw Bull fight ring on 11th. On 12-2-2011, I proceeded for Paris (Capital of France) by flight no.Ezy 3906 at 1710 and reached Paris at 1920 hrs. I stayed there at Hotel-Holiday inn. On 13th, I enjoyed Paris city tour. Paris is near Seine river. It is the most beautiful city of the world. On 16-2-2011, I went to see Eiffel tower which is 324.5 meters high. We also enjoyed cruise in Seine river. On 17-2-2011, I went to Zurich by flight no. LX 633, started at 0950 hrs and reached Zurich at 1110 hrs. From there, I caught flight no. LX- 146 and reached Delhi at 0045 hrs. on 18-2-2010. I observed the following points (which make the difference) during my stay there in Europe:
1. People of Europe are 5 to 10 times richer than India.
2. Europeans are healthier. I found very few hospitals and chemist shops. Some people say that since European countries are colder, the people live therein are healthy. But in reality it is not true. I have seen with my own eyes that people living at hills in Himachal and UP are not healthy. I saw many chemist shops there in Dehradun, Pathankot, etc. at the feet of the Indian Hills wherefrom they purchase medicines.
3. Very few hospitals and chemist shops were seen. Here in India even at hills people are not healthy.
4. Very high technological advancement. Systems and processes are mechanized.
5. Cleanliness- even tap water is drinkable. Less adulteration. It shows the mindset of the people living there.
6. No noise pollution. No horn by vehicles.
7. People are open and less complicated.
8. More scientific and natural behavior- No Babas, Jyotishis, Yoga teachers on TV.
9. High infrastructure and good transport system.
10. No matrimonial advertisements in Newspapers.
11. Appreciate labour by giving tips/ thanks.
12. Respect for laws- no one was found crossing red signals on crossing.
13. Careful about environment pollution.
14. No street-dogs on roads. However, they keep pets and take care of them.
15. They are more true to themselves and more responsive behavior towards others. They try to do what they say.
16. They are more pro-active, sincere and frank.
Some people say that India is poor because we have excess population. But it is not true. Human resource is one of the best resources. Other resources-material, machines, energy are depending on man-power for their productive use. If man-power is not productive or negative productive, these other resources may give less production or negative production. Question is productive use of man power and not excess man-power. China is having more population than India but they prepare cheapest products in world market. Some of the big cities of other countries-Tokyo, etc are having more dense population but they are cleaner, far better than any city in India. It depends upon right attitude and social belonging of the people and not on excess population.
I realized that Swiss and Japanese are more open. They are more realistic, scientific and less complicated. They are rich because they are more productive. They are more positive. Because of something wrong in our attitude, our country is one of the most corrupt countries in the world. We export our raw materials to Japan or other countries; we keep our money in Swiss/ foreign banks because of something wrong in our attitude. Merely having good intelligence is not richness, if it is not used in positive way. Knowledge is harmful if it is used in negative way. Productive use of everything depends upon right attitude. Despite all richness- plenty of resources, knowledge and skill, we are poor because we have less productive-less positive attitude.
Attitude is a mental outlook, a frame of mind. It is how we think. It reflects in our behavior. It is a force behind our actions. Everything we do is affected by our attitude. A good attitude is the principal ingredient of a good life. Some basic principles of positive attitude are: Be true to yourself and also to others, not to afraid of failures, be honest, accept the realities, etc.
Religion may or may not make a person ethical. But ethical principles are always good to us and to the society. We discuss more about various religious principles, but not ethical behaviour. Ethical values help us in adopting holistic and positive approach. It is more productive and sustainable to be ethical.
Either our inner voice is controlled by narrow perceptions and prejudices or we don’t want to listen to it. Walking on the path of truth can solved many problems. Becoming more responsible to society can solve many problems. Maintaining Swiss accounts and creating parallel economy certify that I believe in evading taxes and breaking the rules. This attitude is neither true nor positive because we are not separate from the society. If a part of the body is hurt, whole body suffers and not merely injured part.
We do work to earn money. We don’t enjoy work because we do not love it. If we love what we do, it generates more production. Unproductive use of resources can’t be considered good. Time is money. It is necessary to use it productively like Japanese. There is need to be a good human being rather than anything else.
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Dr Pramod Kumar
10-3-2011
Email: drpk1956@gmail.com
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