Staring out the window at the busy life of Seoul, I just can’t resist thinking how beautiful India can be. Korea is not a very big country. The mountains are not very high. There is not much wildlife. However, the Korean countryside has some of the most beautiful landscape that I have ever seen. What strikes me more is the fact that the Republic of Korea is well-known for its remarkable economic achievements. It has grown by more than 8 percent each year since 1960s, making it the fastest growing economy in the world. Korea's performance is considered particularly impressive because it has achieved in spite of obstacles such as Japanese colonial rule, the devastating Korean War, political turmoil and heavy military expenditures under national partition.
More laudable would be the Government’s keen eye on the finer details for providing a comfortable life to its people and the people’s effort to sustain the same. Koreans obey traffic laws guided by the GPRS system which keeps them at bay. Clean roads, excellent drainage systems, garbage segregation and waste management, subways and buses running at the stipulated hours, trustworthy taxi drivers who do not take you for a ride and so on. All transportation system follows a card system making it easier to travel around. People follow queue system everywhere and do not fight over a seat.
Koreans have high regard for safety and have installed anti-skid roads on dangerous bends and curves, and even on every staircase that you happen to take. Subways have a special facility for the disabled to travel with ease and a special escalator to accommodate them along with their wheelchair. Every subway station has been equipped with a detailed map of the city, escalators and clean toilets with ample running water, tissue papers and wending machines.
It can be said that South Korea is an absolutely safe country. The crime rate is very low when compared to the other countries and there is absolutely zero corruption in all levels(as far as I know). There are literally no mosquitoes, no stray dogs, no wild cats, no birds (except for magpies), or any other insects.
Generally, the Korean diet uses a mix of grains and vegetables which add fiber and protein. Koreans have a generous helping of beef and pork in their diet and compensate with green tea and Kim chi to balance the same. Korean food has moderate calories, low in fat and moderately sweet, seemingly a healthy and well-balanced diet. Koreans are very active and health conscious. It is very common to bump into oldies on your trekking expedition or might even compete with you in a marathon.
Another distinguishing feature of Korea is the abundance of gadgets. It is very common to sight a school kid sporting the latest mobiles, mp3 and PMP. Every possible route that you can think about is available on the Net including maps of long lost gullies.
It is said that if you struggle to earn one penny then you know the value of money and you would cherish it. The same applies to the Koreans. After suffering and losing many lives in the war and literally demolished by the wars, the Koreans have struggled to reach to their current status in the world and are reaping the benefits. .The patriotism and unity hold the nation together.
It's an irony that India has not become a developed nation in spite of having all kinds of potential and natural resources to be rich. With a long coastline, vast agriculture lands, tourism and pilgrim potential, India could have easily achieved a developed nation's status. India has the third largest resource of scientists and technocrats in the world. India has the largest number of professionals working overseas in various fields. But all these things have not helped improve the quality of life of majority of Indians.
The main factor attributing to the current status is the lack of core human values among the Indians. A sense of patriotism, obligation to fight poverty and backwardness, discipline and voluntary spirit etc, which are the essential ingredients to make a healthy nation are close to nil. Developed nations have got their present status by hard work, discipline and patriotism. Mahatma Gandhi said that without nationalism no nation could achieve internationalism. Look at the plight of India and the unity of the Indians. India has numerous political parties with ridiculous ideologies. When the whole world is moving towards a global village India is lagging way behind and is dividing further into narrow pockets in the name of caste and creed.
The whole world is looking at Bhagvad Geeta, and Ramayana to inculcate human values among the youth and here we are aping the Westerners in the wrong way. We ape their lifestyle and follow Bollywood and Kollywood in the lines of Hollywood, why not follow them in their development strategies. Yoga and spiritual philosophy has become the integral part of many western and European institutions, while we are busy munching on the French fries and burger.
We have the power to imagine a different future even if our leaders don’t. More so, we have the power to make that dream a reality. There is no point in just cribbing about the pathetic state of our country or getting adjusted to it. It is in our power to change our Nation. With a clear mind and will to achieve we can make India proud. If not us, who else will?
More laudable would be the Government’s keen eye on the finer details for providing a comfortable life to its people and the people’s effort to sustain the same. Koreans obey traffic laws guided by the GPRS system which keeps them at bay. Clean roads, excellent drainage systems, garbage segregation and waste management, subways and buses running at the stipulated hours, trustworthy taxi drivers who do not take you for a ride and so on. All transportation system follows a card system making it easier to travel around. People follow queue system everywhere and do not fight over a seat.
Koreans have high regard for safety and have installed anti-skid roads on dangerous bends and curves, and even on every staircase that you happen to take. Subways have a special facility for the disabled to travel with ease and a special escalator to accommodate them along with their wheelchair. Every subway station has been equipped with a detailed map of the city, escalators and clean toilets with ample running water, tissue papers and wending machines.
It can be said that South Korea is an absolutely safe country. The crime rate is very low when compared to the other countries and there is absolutely zero corruption in all levels(as far as I know). There are literally no mosquitoes, no stray dogs, no wild cats, no birds (except for magpies), or any other insects.
Generally, the Korean diet uses a mix of grains and vegetables which add fiber and protein. Koreans have a generous helping of beef and pork in their diet and compensate with green tea and Kim chi to balance the same. Korean food has moderate calories, low in fat and moderately sweet, seemingly a healthy and well-balanced diet. Koreans are very active and health conscious. It is very common to bump into oldies on your trekking expedition or might even compete with you in a marathon.
Another distinguishing feature of Korea is the abundance of gadgets. It is very common to sight a school kid sporting the latest mobiles, mp3 and PMP. Every possible route that you can think about is available on the Net including maps of long lost gullies.
It is said that if you struggle to earn one penny then you know the value of money and you would cherish it. The same applies to the Koreans. After suffering and losing many lives in the war and literally demolished by the wars, the Koreans have struggled to reach to their current status in the world and are reaping the benefits. .The patriotism and unity hold the nation together.
It's an irony that India has not become a developed nation in spite of having all kinds of potential and natural resources to be rich. With a long coastline, vast agriculture lands, tourism and pilgrim potential, India could have easily achieved a developed nation's status. India has the third largest resource of scientists and technocrats in the world. India has the largest number of professionals working overseas in various fields. But all these things have not helped improve the quality of life of majority of Indians.
The main factor attributing to the current status is the lack of core human values among the Indians. A sense of patriotism, obligation to fight poverty and backwardness, discipline and voluntary spirit etc, which are the essential ingredients to make a healthy nation are close to nil. Developed nations have got their present status by hard work, discipline and patriotism. Mahatma Gandhi said that without nationalism no nation could achieve internationalism. Look at the plight of India and the unity of the Indians. India has numerous political parties with ridiculous ideologies. When the whole world is moving towards a global village India is lagging way behind and is dividing further into narrow pockets in the name of caste and creed.
The whole world is looking at Bhagvad Geeta, and Ramayana to inculcate human values among the youth and here we are aping the Westerners in the wrong way. We ape their lifestyle and follow Bollywood and Kollywood in the lines of Hollywood, why not follow them in their development strategies. Yoga and spiritual philosophy has become the integral part of many western and European institutions, while we are busy munching on the French fries and burger.
We have the power to imagine a different future even if our leaders don’t. More so, we have the power to make that dream a reality. There is no point in just cribbing about the pathetic state of our country or getting adjusted to it. It is in our power to change our Nation. With a clear mind and will to achieve we can make India proud. If not us, who else will?
2 comments:
thatz a good work, Nithya! insightful social thoughts.. and inspiring words.
Nice article and keen observation and inspring words.. Keep the good work and post many such articles.Will look forward from ur words again.
Post a Comment