Sonia Gandhi
Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Congress President during her speech at Teen Murti House on the 10th Indira Gandhi Conference titled ”An Indian Social Democracy : Integrating Markets, Democracy and Social Justice acknowledged the problem of corruption and the moral challenges facing Indian society. Her two significant statements are given below:
“Graft and greed are on the rise. The principles on which independent India was founded, for which a generation of great leaders fought and sacrificed their all, are in danger of being negated.”
“Our economy may increasingly be dynamic, but our moral universe seems to be shrinking. Prosperity has increased, but so has social conflict. Intolerance of various kinds is growing… We are right to celebrate our high rate of economic growth. We must do all that we can to sustain it. However, let us not forget that growth is not an end in itself.”
She stated that India cannot hide behind the growth story. Corruption needs to be addressed to have a balanced growth. If not addressed, it may turn into the biggest blockage in progress of India.
A candid admission on the challenges of Indian economy and society. A significant change in stance. Looks like there is still hope for India.
Sonia Jaspal's RiskBoard 
Dear Sonia,
Of course there is hope for India..India will survive. The younger generation will ensure this. I was at a conference in the Netherlands last week and every delegate was all praise for India.
Youngsters have to take over and ride the crest of the development wave. Yes, there is hope. I am an optimist, though a cautious one
Sethuram,
It is interesting that you mentioned your trip to Netherlands. As I have witnessed most non-Indians are amazed at India’s remarkable growth from 1947 to date. However, Indians are quick to negate India and Indians at every step, they are the biggest pessimists.
And I beleive who are perpetually saying negative, are basically negative people. They will actually feel bad if India starts doing very well, because they will have very little to complain about. Patraiotism in the guise of criticism, makes one a career critic.
Everything has plus and minus, and even when India becomes a super power, something is likely to go wrong. Don’t we see that occuring in USA. But according to negative Indians, that is alright for USA, but it puts India in the dumps. I am amazed at the concern and worry shown in this negativity.
Sonia
Dear Sonia,
Yes, I agree. Indians are waiting to derate themselves and belittle the country’s achievements.
Having said that, it is important that we do not do anything that makes ourselves objects of ridicule. If you have noticed, some people even change their behaviour and become extra polite (and open mouthed) in the presence of foreigners.
I try to do my bit telling those I can that we should be ourselves wherever we are
Sethuraman
Dear Sonia,
Yes some Indians berate themselves and their country. Having said that, it is also true that we should learn to be ourselves and hold our head high wherever we go
Sethu
Sethuram,
You are absolutely right. Unfortunately negative and unsavory people exist everywhere. People don’t realize that it is better to be critized by an unsavory person than be appreciated by him/her. As he/she will only appreciate others who are similarly unsavory.
Sonia
As head of India’s most corrupt political organisation, it is astonishing that Sonia Gandhi is now seen as the bearer of hope (by some) against corruption!
Loot the country TOTALLY, and then pretend you can save it! Surely that’s a fine strategy in politics!
And we have gullible voters to accept this claim!
These are the looters of India, Sonia. Please pin them down, don’t listen to their “dhong”.
Sanjeev,
Thanks for the advice. I don’t think any one is gullible here or falling into any traps. It is a good initiative to have acknowledged publically that corruption has resulted. People will now measure the actions which follow this statement made.
However, for any change to occur, the first step is admitting something has gone wrong. Then one has to observe, whether that admission is a sign for taking corrective action or is an eye wash. So let us see how things proceed.
Negating every action, doesn’t make any one beleive anything.
Sonia
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