All Things Indian, and British

Adi F. Merchant drives home some truths about what makes us so very Indian and the role the British play in churning our psyche.

- Adi F. Merchant

Nothing will defer the British once they have made up their minds. They played a great part in destroying Nazi Germany; the destruction of democratic Britain seems child’s play compared with that. To remain a top nation or aspire to being one would inevitably have meant winning the external rat race from time to time perhaps quite often. The thing is to take part but not to win. You take part only and exclusively because without taking part you cannot lose. India, for instance, is a nation of good losers - at least the tax-payers are. In fact, they are great losers.

It is more elegant, wise and stylist to decay than to flourish; better to decline than to pant, rush around, sweat and get hoarse in vulgar bargaining. It is much more in keeping with the western style to live in a quiet and slightly disintegrating manor house than in a modern and noisy city. It is more in keeping to potter around (Harry, or otherwise) in the garden and remain healthy than to rush around town under great stress and invite heart attacks. You may desire to decay, yet your inborn excellence, your splendid human qualities, your shining character may keep you on top. Or, else, you may overdo it and decay a shade too speedily.