Thanks, Sandeep, Nilesh,
Indians have been trained from childhood to switch off their mind and turn themselves into "believing machines". They are brought up as slaves to religion, slaves to the "elders", slaves to the "great" men of India (whether Gandhi, Nehru or Savarkar, each to his/her own taste).
Unfortunately, those Indians who taught India to think, are never taught in schools today. I never knew about Charvaka in school. Buddha was also shown as a religious person, not as someone who challenged people to think for themselves. He said:
Do not believe something just because it has been passed along and retold for many generations. Do not believe something merely because it has become a traditional practice. Do not believe something simply because it is well-known everywhere. Do not believe something just because it is cited in a text. Do not believe something solely on the grounds of logical reasoning. Do not believe something merely because it accords with your philosophy. Do not believe something because it appeals to ‘common sense’. Do not believe something just because you like the idea. Do not believe something because the speaker seems trustworthy. Do not believe something thinking, ‘This is what our teacher says’.
And no one teaches about Chanakya's outstanding superlative public administration, his superlative economics, his critical thinking. Why? Because Chanakya said clearly that except for government-owned milch cows, all other cattle can be sold for meat (beef). The moment Indians start reading Charvaka, Buddha, Chanakya, they will stop believing mindless nonsense, but then a lot of priests and "godmen" will lose their jobs.
And no one teaches about John Locke or Hayek in schools. Or about Jefferson's Declaration of Independence and its commitment to life, liberty. Or about the US First Amendment with its commitment to absolute free speech.
When 99.99 per cent of Indians' education is about hero worship, no wonder we get robots as adults, totally incapable of self-belief, self-respect. They need someone to worship, else they become restless. How else can you explain a super-genius like Nandan Nilekani not challenging a party led by a dunce known as Rahul Gandhi? Where was his self-respect? He never had any since it was removed from him in childhood by parents, teachers, society. We are programmed to search "greatness" in others (including in dynastic dunces), not to demand high standards of ourselves and others. Despite claiming to promote Advaita, we don't look within.
The situation is not as dire as it may seem at first sight. It is the first time in 15 years of effort that I notice real signs of awareness emerging in India. A lot of people are openly condemning socialism for the first time - but they don't know what is the alternative.
Even FTI was earlier collecting a lot of confused people. They have all gone now, leaving the sensible ones behind. But even those who left are not entirely lost to India. By now at least 300 people have become exposed to alternative ideas and to some public policy (including through our national competition). Over time, as BJP starts doing EXACTLY what Congress has done (and there is no sign it knows anything better), they will start asking questions. Shantanu may think today that Modi can do something for India but he can't. One day Shantanu will wake up. Let him sleep peacefully, for now. You can't rush people's understanding of things.
In 2004 I could not find anyone apart from Sharad Joshi to lead the liberals. Today, there are at least 20, and up to 100. These 20 (or 100), if they come together, can start the process of reversing the confusions in the minds of Indians, and empowering them to think for themselves. This must be a lifetime commitment, not just for a few years. If we then become lucky and get some funds, we can then grow this into a serious movement for reform.
It is crucial that only those totally committed to liberty (with accountability) and to political action as the vehicle for reform, attend the
July workshop. I will personally discuss with everyone who has expressed interest in coming before I issue an invitation.
Those who wish to participate please make sure you have read the SKC agenda and the SBP constitution carefully:
and
Just another 10 days to express your interest.
Most people say these bets are impossible. That's the point - to tell them that these are ENTIRELY doable within the timeframes I've outlined. We have to raise the bar. Then show India how this can be done.