Substandard Expectations
I had been warned about several things that strike a 'returning' Indian. The noises, the throngs of people everywhere, the stench of human excrements, the general hum and buzz of everyday life in a country alive with diversity.
True to these expectations, I did realize many of these things to be true, but no, they didnt come out to strike me. They were not hard hitting and they didnt unduly bother me. In fact, I soaked up the feel of the city of Bombay, pulsating with urgency in every stride. The humidity was the only thing that struck me as soon as I got out of the air conditioned aeroplane interior.
But the other thing that did become painfully noticeable was the level of expectations from this country. It's surprising that each and every thing seems to be rid with a kind of mediocrity and substandard-ness. The quality of roads, services, products, in fact, of time and value... I am still trying to figure out why there is so much discrepancy between the amount of talent in this fertile nation and the output or infrastructure it bears. Agreed, populations are so large that it is but natural that sustenance goes beyond available means. But does this mean that we will forever operate only at a certain percentage of our possible potential? When and how will this change?
True to these expectations, I did realize many of these things to be true, but no, they didnt come out to strike me. They were not hard hitting and they didnt unduly bother me. In fact, I soaked up the feel of the city of Bombay, pulsating with urgency in every stride. The humidity was the only thing that struck me as soon as I got out of the air conditioned aeroplane interior.
But the other thing that did become painfully noticeable was the level of expectations from this country. It's surprising that each and every thing seems to be rid with a kind of mediocrity and substandard-ness. The quality of roads, services, products, in fact, of time and value... I am still trying to figure out why there is so much discrepancy between the amount of talent in this fertile nation and the output or infrastructure it bears. Agreed, populations are so large that it is but natural that sustenance goes beyond available means. But does this mean that we will forever operate only at a certain percentage of our possible potential? When and how will this change?
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