India is seen by many as the ‘conservative capital’ of the world. Steeped in traditions, life goes on at its usual, slow pace in most parts though the elite in metropolitan cities like Bengaluru and Mumbai have largely transitioned to modern lifestyles. Not capital Delhi, though, where the mindset remains deeply traditional. This was evident also in the responses to the way a Kolkata model famously danced in a white towel at the iconic India Gate the other day. Media claims this sparked “widespread outrage” among the citizens in social media comments. This should look surprising as social media is straddled mostly, if not exclusively, by the army of educated youths. Notably, the video posted by the model on Instagram in celebration of International Day of Men fetched over two lakh views in a matter of a few hours. Her comment, “Happy International Men’s Day, May you all continue to motivate others with your courage, kindness and empathy,” should have struck a friendly chord with those who viewed the video, but several comments from the viewers were hostile in nature. This goes to prove that conservative mindsets do not change even through generations. A problem essentially lies also with the way the media projects such situations.
Notably, India has an identity crisis. The large numbers of youths who go abroad for studies – both boys and girls – are not keen on returning home to pursue their professions or take up jobs. Be they in the US, Europe or Australia, they are happy settling down there. The message is loud and clear. They feel suffocated back home; and they yearn for more freedom. However, the old mindsets are not easy to shed for those who are well-entrenched here. Political leadership comprises mostly of ageing men. They are mostly men who spent their lifetime in politics, hypocrites of a kind, who are game with the old modes of dressing in Parliament and outside. Their shady deals by the hour are camouflaged by their spotless white robes – the trademark of Indian politicians.
If India needs to embrace modernity, the first and foremost requirement is that its ageing leadership profile should change. More and more educated and forward-looking youths should enter public life and edge out the old guard. Among the top leaders, Rahul Gandhi is by far young. He has abundant exposure to the developed world outside. Yet, he too is caught in a time warp, acting like the quintessential Indian politician of his grandfather’s time, though he often sports pants and T-shirts. The young leaders who got opportunities to run states, like a foreign-educated Akhilesh Yadav or those from the Lalu Prasad clan too have proven themselves to be below par, run-of-the-mill politicians. They lack the grit and determination to change India so that it is in tune with the changing times.
