I returned from Singapore back to India one month ago after a week long Business Trip. While business was there and happening an interesting conversation between three of us of different nationalities while driving in a car although very briefly triggered this note.
The issue was the level of freedom that one has. The argument of one who was of a Chinese origin was that India should have been communist for sometime before becoming a democracy. This was in response to a light hearted comment on traffic on Indian roads vis-a-vis Singapore - Indians demonstrate their independence best when on road, independence of one another in every possible way. While my friend was not critical of India his was a general observation perhaps a common point of discussions in that region on this subject.
Having lived in India most of my life, I cant imagine being controlled by the state. But just a couple of weeks ago I was fined Rs. 300/- for over speeding (I was driving at 60kmph on an empty road). What was surprising is that my car is running an average speed of 17kmph and the 60 must have been for a less than a kilometer and completely harmless [I drive on the most busy road in Bangalore please let us not generalize :)]. The rules had been formed and the infrastructure was built to catch and fine the easy while just a few days later on the same road when the traffic was standstill - due to vehicles running the opposite side to avoid a railway level crossing close signal - there was no cop fining them. I informed this to the cop and he asked me to tell the government. I thought of letting him know that he is the government but then I thought better of it. So much for freedom and democracy.
This is India and its vagaries but what is the level of freedom that was offered by News of the World irrespective of her majesty's pleasure in the UK.
Perhaps it is in the way one interprets, we are free if we assume to be else we are bonded. When I was in Egypt a good decade ago, Mr. Mubarak was at his great grandeur, there were uniformed personnel every where - on the streets of Cairo, near the ticket counters at the valleys of the Kings and Queens - and name the place. However, ordinary Egyptians were always smiling, in Luxor the guide took me and my friends to his house and every body in their house was very pleasant and hospitable. I rarely see an old Indian laugh whole heartily with all the freedom that they have. The Brits, the doyens of the Westminster democracy hide behind dark humour and are proud of it. I don't know much of Americans perhaps they differ from their cousins across the pond on the dark and subtle part of the humour.
Is democracy directly proportional to cynicism, what about Venezuela?
Venezuela was a strange country though, the rich were very unhappy and were scrumping for US dollars and Euros - but the poor were however happy but aggressive. Mr Chavez had brought about a strange balance. This was five years ago, things may have changed now.
Happiness may not be the measure of the freedom may be but what is?
Again there will have to be boundaries may be. The freedom to live, freedom to buy the necessities and luxuries as per ones capacity, freedom up to the level one can stretch. Itch will start when the boundaries are reached or if the boundaries are small.
Somebody said Singapore is a free dictatorship, there is just enough freedom to live happily as long as you follow the strict rules stringently. Read the sentence again, there is contradiction everywhere.Take another case, many people are happy agitating and quite a few are miserable in a grand party with great luxuries. Ironies are inbuilt.
Perhaps freedom is a mind thing after all. Is going to the gym in office hour the real freedom or is it to work at home.
It is indeed a mind thing. A collection of mind will lead to a revolution, whether right or wrong - perhaps for the good.
