Dr Ambedkar had a vision for reservations of the backward castes because discrimination was institutionalized and an important part of our ancient culture for millennia. As it was not realistic to change the mindset of more than two hundred million Indians, the size of the population at the time of partition and freedom from colonial rule, he opted for reservations for a limited number of years. He, no doubt, was a self-made man.
Mahatma Gandhi who always had his heart in the right place ordained the low-caste people as the children of God, and in effect, sanctified poverty raising it to the level of a virtue. He did not aid the unfortunate and exploited section of our society and show them the way to social, economic and psychological freedom. However, contrary to his good intentions, made them feel even more comfortable living in a perpetual slum, in every sense of the term, with the blessings of God. Psychologically, he made them even more resigned to their fate. Unlike the people of India, American Indians nowadays are known as native Americans but with the election of Donald Trump as president-to-be it may change in the near future. They may have to revert to their old label as American Indians again as they are not an integral part of the American dream. They, however, have a saying which reflects a culture of self-help: They say no-thank-you when offered fish and ask to be taught how to fish instead! With demonetization and a series of supporting surgical strikes the Prime Minister has removed a lot of dust from the eyes of the people of India which is not to say they all like what they see! Certainly not the dishonest rich who wallowed in the brackish and dark water of the black economy and are having sleepless nights trying to figure out their losses and what has hit them. The honest who by definition are mostly the poor are elated although they have to stand in long queues to receive their own money. Obviously, the smoke has ascended high up into the sky and the poor and honest are able to see far and wide even though it may not be a clear day. Prime Minister Modi is a beacon of hope. Seven decades after we Indians started to breathe in the air of freedom, we have been woken up from our sleep like never before; the poor and backward castes are smiling to see the rich and upper castes come tumbling down in the business of making a living which in a mixed economy was more black than white. The scenario now looks like a game which is no longer fixed in favor of the rich! The poor and backward castes are ready to pick up the gauntlet: no more free fish so we can never become fishermen! Through education we can reach the top and even surpass the rich whose progeny in the past often had an unfair advantage is the message. Governments beware! In Goa, where we live, everyone knows of well-educated children who have illiterate parents. In one generation to move from illiteracy to a college-level education is even by global standards nothing less than a revolution, and a bloodless one at that! Our politicians of all hues and colors need to stop asking the poor and backward castes if they want some fish. Instead, teach them to fish.
