Al Massayia, p.10, (28-5-2009)

Fierce Asian Tiger

By: Mahmoud Sultan

India has gained much interest along the history due to the contradictions it contains. India's multiple religions, ethnicities, languages and dialects represent a complicated problem facing its national unity. Yet, India managed to overcome this problem which threatens the unity of its people. With a population of more than one billion, India has many contradictions: richness and poverty, success and failure, theism and atheism. India has a pioneering experiment with a lot of lessons which are worthy to learn from. Until recently, India was an example of underdevelopment, poverty and ignorance. All that we knew about Indians related to elephants, monkeys and snakes. Describing a person of being "Indian" amounted to accusing him of being underdeveloped and ignorant. India was shrouded in famines, epidemics, coups, revolutions and civil wars. But, India intelligently succeeded to overcome all these problems. It made progress through promotion of democracy, planning, setting a clear vision for the future, encouraging science and scientists. Indian scientists of various fields spread all over the world. They do not, however, lose their identity or nationality. They are loyal to their country. Thanks to its own capabilities and the efforts of its scientists, India joined the space club. With 100% Indian components and capabilities, India launched its first spacecraft to the moon. This spacecraft will conduct several scientific experiments on the moon over a period of two years. India is expected to become a leading space nation.

After having been an example of poverty and underdevelopment, India has turned into a country of advanced technology, hence becoming a source of worry to the world's major powers. After President Mubarak's recent visit to India, we should benefit from the pioneering Indian experiment. It is unreasonable to import tuk-tuks from India and not to cooperate with it on investments in technology, communications and various fields. India is an example to be followed in spite of all difficulties. It is really an Asian tiger that has become fierce.

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