India is not the largest democracy
It is the only democracy left
The rest have got compromised
Recent events around the world have highlighted the reality that leaders are no longer influenced by the views of their citizens.
Trump no longer speaks on behalf of the American people. The views or wishes of the people don’t matter. The same is true of Putin or Zerensky or many other leaders. No one chose the head of the Bangladesh govt. And Singapore has never been a real democracy as opposition is permanently kept in jail. It is kind of hard to contest an election from jail in any country other than India.
If one sees the league tables on democracy, countries like the Scandinavian ones and irrelevant ones like Uruguay or New Zealand top the scales. The commonwealth countries lack stability of government and for all practical purposes have a non existent government. UK it would seem will soon be ready for acquisition. And the likes of Belgium or France are working hard to figure out whether they are Christian or Islam.
If one sees the world objectively, there is really only one REAL democracy in the world and that is INDIA. Democracy is not a sham in India. Indians have real freedom of expression. And have always had it. Ever since independence.
As a citizen, I have often expressed very strong views, both in favour of and against governments. I have appreciated former governments and criticised current leaders. And have had the privilege of an audience with the senior most leaders to explain the reasons for my criticism. In general, with rare exceptions, the criticism has actually been appreciated. This doesn’t happen anywhere else in the world these days.
The implications of being the only real democracy in the world are far reaching. And positive. Today if India were to offer a golden visa, there would be a long line of applicants. Many from the developed world. Similarly if India were to put an export tax on graduates of say the IITs, there would be a long line of willing payers. A sum of usd 250k is not unrealistic. I don’t see usa managing to get usd 250k for a h1b – even 100k seems tough.
We will soon get into a global fight for talent. It will eventually get very expensive. As geography becomes history, talent can work from anywhere. And live anywhere. People will prefer to live in a free country. And in a democracy.
Sure there will be some who prefer the safety of a Dubai or access to their illegally exported funds in usa. But for the rest, the realisation is fast dawning in that the only real democracy in the world is India.
Politics too is all set to change quite radically. We will soon see a lot more educated leaders. Whether it is a Akhilesh yadav or a Chirag Paswan – these are educated youngsters who realise dynasty is as much of a liability as it is a strength. And that they have to prove their own worth.
These are all strong positives for the new India that is emerging.