Switzerland meets India
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Well, Switzerland can never meet India… be it the size of the two countries and their populations, the infrastructure, the colour of people or the huge geographic distance! Then what am I up to? Been in Switzerland on work and seeing the best, am just comparing the good things the two countries possess or should possess to go the distance.
Many would argue, Switzerland is anyway a first world country, a big economy; while India is an emerging economy, a country still marred by violent terror attacks (26/11/2008, Mumbai, more recently Pune German bakery, anyone?). Well, it’s India… who has to go the distance, inspired by first world countries…
After the Mumbai aftermath, when the irresponsibility of politicians and bureaucrats are being held responsible for all the security lapse which cost us 170 plus innocent lives, the first thing that comes to mind is making situation of politics in India similar to Switzerland, where the ultimate power does not lie with the seven-member Swiss Federal Council (for more info, visit Politics in Switzerland… you can’t ask for more in English), but with the common people, who can change the law with majority voting, in the process, getting rid of corrupt politicians. Well, this is not possible with a huge population in India and with so many poor people who barely get heard. Hence progress of the poor is a necessity and going by the latest, Govt is doing something for the poor (the buzzword is the letter ‘I’ for Industrialization).
Normal Indian road.. never away from action
Serene road in Switzerland.. picturesque always
When will the infrastructure of India be like Switzerland? Never… because India has broader roads than Switzerland does… with such a miniscule population (population is less than any big metro in India! we really have a hearty laugh on it…), the small country barely needs wider roads; Jokes apart, it is true that India needs roads as wide as possible! However, I am speaking about the quality of the roads… barring a few recently made roads and highways, India barely has good roads even in the city, and which remains congested during the peak hours!! This brings me to the wonderful transport system Switzerland has… admitted to be best even by European standards. I am looking forward to the day when all transports in India will be driven by a single body with high on maintenance and low on politics, so that normal people ditch their cars for public transports.
The natural beauty in Switzerland is breathtaking which the Swiss are quite proud of. They are born with it and (other than wasting a lot of paper… as seen in office, and keeping the lights of the shops on in the name of advertisement) do a lot to maintain the green – abandon cars, bike to work being a few of the initiatives. India has a few regions proud of the greens, but normally the cities and the towns cut a sorry figure! We really need to buck up, as nature is already talking to us with the severe hurricanes, tsunamis, ails and many more names of devastation coming up every fortnight.
The aged in Switzerland probably have a sorry tale to tell… they expect their children to be out of their homes and independent at a tiny age, thus leaving them with no other option but to look after themselves when old. It’s sad looking at them out on the road all by themselves, sometimes barely being able to walk! India scores much higher here, if there is anything we strongly feel about and are proud of as Indians, it’s our culture…. We are respectful and responsible towards our parents and anyone aged and look to be with them throughout. Respect to old people comes naturally to us, and is something Switzerland and all first world countries need to look at and make positive laws on!
Initially, when I was here, I was surprised seeing fellow Indians greeting me, whether or not we had ever come across each other! This behavior, compared to the behavior shelled out at Indians by fellow countrymen in ‘layered’ Indian society, pleasantly shocked me. If only we can have an India where people show respect to each other, we will have problems half to what we have now.
No country is perfect. I have witnessed petty infractions on streets of Zürich, which probably will never happen in India. Why? Because the Swiss are so “peace loving”, they would never object! It’s different that in India, people are always objecting to something or the other. We are built that way, perhaps.
Looking forward to an India which would fulfill the positives discussed- no fights in the name of politics, world-class financial institutions (I am told, the Nazi money that Switzerland acquired was invested mainly in academics, which is the reason for the country’s roaring scientific success), love and faith among people and where all Indians greet each other Grüetzi (German for ‘Hello’), the Swiss way.
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A good piece, Avishekn. I got a reasonably good idea of how life is in Zurich. Would like to know more about your land. Do get in touch with me. Thank you.
Thanks Israel…. u r sure welcome to know more abt my land…
but which land do u belong to??
And… how do I get in touch with u? New to this site.. will take some time
well written
Often when traveling abroad we tend to want to want the best things from that place back in India in our native lands. Well written piece and hope one day we can bridge the gap with the so called “developed countries”
@priti, Amen..
. Any other country may not be such a model example…..
And this thought has not stemmed within those few days of staying outside India. I have seen a model country in on the face and just want us to be like them
very good piece of writing
Dude,
well written…and the thought has certainly stemmed in the Indians living abroad. If you know what I mean…there are a lot of other things that could be added in here..
What are you up to these days?
Visiting Zurich anytime soon?
Come join the Spring party!!!
cheers, Ehsaan
Nice article.I enjoyed reading this article.I have had similar experiences thats why I can honestly say that I could relate to it.I think no country has perfect system,but there are lessons to learn
Well written. Enjoyed reading it.
Yes and alas, population often comes as a serious barrier towards making any bold change, and it hurts most the good changes. The ‘true’ democratic, people oriented process of making the law and law makers was also something nice to know.
Ehsaan… this is not a place where I bore people with my saintly dialogues….. rest the people understands
Thanks Prasun… am really honoured to have been able to enlighten the likes of u…….. seriously
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I have lived in several countries – Kenya, UK, US and India. Now that I am retired, we live much of the year in the US where our children and grandchildren are located and come to our flat in Cochin during the winter.
As a young man I used to dislike coming to India and only did so because my father and a sister lived here and I wanted to see them. The reason I did not like coming to India was because I expected India to be like the UK or the US in terms of its functioning, order and other facets of life. This is a cardinal mistake. They are different countries and one needs to imbibe what is best of each – and accept that there are deficiencies in some respects with regard to any country.
Yes, there are things that bother me about India – the pollution, the lack of cleanliness, the bureaucracy, etc but let us not look at other countries with rose-tinted glasses.
Hi Avishek
I read it late, but nicely written…i liked it. The more I grow and learn, one thing I know is India is Great…We have to keep progressing and reach material growth in terms of western standards, without abandoning our spirtual growth and value system. There is no country like our beloved India.