When man discovered fire, it was the start of the long term impact in the progress of mankind. By controlling fire, man’s way of living the life evolved – he started to cook food, stay safe and in many ways discovered cure for his illness. Life before and after fire have stark differences. With that one slight deviation, man has come a long way. Let’s ask a similar question about our country – Has India discovered its own fire? Some may say yes – it was in 1947 when it acquired independence from the clutches of British Empire. Some may argue – it was during the turn of new millennium that India’s thought towards the advancement and development took a new direction.
Every individual would have their own understanding of what that ‘fire’ is. The former president of our country Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam wrote a book “India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium” where he offered a blueprint for India to be counted among the top 5 economic powers of the world. To him economic and prosperity in each of the market sector is the area where India should look to develop itself. While India may be on the way to become a global super-power economically (India is currently 6th in economy global rank and it is set to enter top 5 by toppling UK in couple of years with the combination of Brexit and better economy growth rate of India), it is hard not disagree that there is still some way to cover to call ourselves developed.
Few may dispute that yes economic development is an important factor for growth but improvement in health and safety is more essential, while others may claim that food, shelter and law & order are of utmost significance. Similarly we will find every economist, every individual or group who takes pride in supporting sustainable growth are likely to opine on his or her idea of India 2030.
We have around 11 years to reach 2030. However, what we desire to be our future state will not achieved if we do not work towards that now. There is never a wrong time to do the right thing. I really want to start now but where do I want to move towards? What journey do I ask my fellow countrymen to take? I was trying to think and get an answer to those questions when it struck me. I was overwhelmed by a happy memory. I recalled an incident which is very close to my heart – I was in class 10, we had recently taken our board exams. Our school management and juniors invited us for a farewell party. Emotions were flowing while we bid goodbye to our teachers and juniors. We were requesting our teachers for autographs and messages on our farewell card. One of my favorite teacher (incidentally happened to give Math classes as well) wrote just 2 words – ‘Be Happy’. My teenage hormones wanted him to write more than just 2 words. But he explained – “Tanzeel - this is a very good prayer, when you grow up you will understand”. Yes, I now understand what amazing and significant message that was. I now feel being happy is what everyone want. It is the combination of all other adjectives. The desires of men end there. It is just not the goal of 2030 but today, tomorrow and the day after. It is just not about me but also about you and also about my whole country. Yes, I want my country to be happy. And, no it is not happy today.
I want my country to be happy!
I want every inhabitant of my country to be happy, feel the freshness of being happy and spread it to others. My country ranks 140th among the 156 countries surveyed by UN in the World Happiness Report. It’s not that there is no choice. There is always a choice about how we lead our life. We should start by having right set of attitude. We should be open to everyone who impact our lives directly or indirectly. Conversation is the key to happiness. We have somewhat created an invisible barrier in front of us. This barrier or shield is either because of religion, political difference or status quo. Dialogues with people will break this barrier. Let’s start dialogues and have discussions with people. Let’s acknowledge to what people have say to us. It is not very difficult in this age, a simple movement of few fingers and lo the chat message is sent. Let’s behave as a part of one big family (in reality we are – born from the same set of parents).
Conversations will play a fundamental role in striding towards happiness. It will start engaging people, work will be done faster, and returns will be seen in quicker duration. A complete task will create positive energy which in turn will bring happiness. A happy person is infectious. He can easily transfer that attribute to others.
A small step in being happy and making others happy can have a snowball effect in country’s growth and prosperity. In my happy India in 2030 I would want to see people having no grudges with each other. The happy set of citizen will be able to take care of health, safety, law & order issues. They are also able to make sustainable development and advance towards huge economic growth and prosperity. They are ready to accept their differences and yet engage with each other – as we all do in one big and happy family. That happy India will be devoid of any rape cases and no honor killing – there is no honor in that. My happy India will have more happy cities that will be less chaotic as population will be distributed as oppose to concentrated to few cities of today. In my future happy India, mob lynching will be a thing of past, security problems in Kashmir and Northeast are solved. The mind should be without fear and ease of sharing one’s voice is of the highest value. My India of 2030 should have minds which makes leaps and bounds towards technological advancement, make sustainable growth, all of these without compromising on the value of happiness.
So for me, ‘Being Happy’ is the fire we need.
