Very often than not, we compare ourselves to another country and find reasons why are we so bad in everything. It is of no consolation that we are in good and even very good position in many-many things - and yes believe me, we ARE (or compare India to many of more than three hundred listed countries on Earth) - because as the tendency of an average Indian is, we very carefully ignore whatever is good to talk about. Oh yes, I know only too well that when you criticize India you do not mean to harm her, but by analysing negatives you are only helping to improve state of affairs. I have no right to comment on your sacrosanct intentions but I urge you to critisize for bad but commend for good as well. I am sure you will agree that if you do not reward a kid for his good work but punish for bad, his/her motivation for doing good will be result of desire of avoiding punishment and not of accomplishment, which wouldn’t be strong enough and wouldn’t last long. For country, it simply translates to motivation of its policy makers and public.
In any case, even before you jump to critisize it is wise decision to analyse the facts and information which negative Indian media is filling you continuously with. India is often compared to China, for we were in nearly similar situation, while China has controlled its population and grown real super power economy and otherwise while India is still ... (you can fill in here)
I often asked myself this question that capitalism as it is in US is really good for society? I do not proclaim myself any knowledgeable on various forms of society but the question is this: if the results are good then can a bad method be justified? I didn’t know this till few months before that Chinese govt. does not permit any couple to have more than one child. I know, that this rule of "one child" applies only in cities and "two children" are permitted in some rural areas and there are other nuances of the law. But, I was literally shocked. Oh I know now, how come Chinese population is stablised and we are still flourishing. Whatever be the reason, I do not think that a government has any right to confine parental pleasures of a couple. Control of population should be by assent of people not by force. I feel really proud that we are democracy and such thing cannot happen in India. I know that large population is bad for country and that 25% of our people are very poor and about one-third are illiterate. I know that if we do not control than there will be serious consequences (deformed sex ratios, unemployment, hunger deaths etc.) but please, government’s duties should be to make people aware of this and then let them choose. If they choose to multiply blindfolded and suffer, they have right to. But how can one coerce someone to decide how many kids they can have? The idea itself is equivalent of dictatorship. Follow this article for more details on "success of China" compared to India and then decide for yourself.
While the US claims itself mightiest nation of Earth and a great democracy, I just wonder that how can educated public of US reelect Bush (as the likely case is) to office even after his massacre in Afghanistan and Iraq? Is US public completely insensitive to human life? Isn’t this act of attacking any country for no reason whatsoever (Daddy why did we attack Iraq?) utter terrorism by itself? Even though Uma Bharti roams around in name of Tiranga Yatra and even though we have Laloo Prasad Yadav as our Railway Minister, I feel that we are one of the wonderful democracies on Earth. Things are slow in India but at least people will not spare a conspirator of genocide. Our illiterate and poor people are more sensible than "educated" people of US. Isn’t it simply wonderful that we have NEVER attacked any country in last 10,000 years? Gloating on the past not necessary hampers the progress of the future.
Question is do we want the population control by coercion or economic success by raging wars, or would be prefer to be a little slow but go by genuine means. Are we fair if we critisize based on results without considering means? Do we want that?