One of my student a young technician in his 20s who has travelled 400 kms to be an observer while i was teaching in Dhaka bangladesh :
" Sir we love india " ( I feel proud ) (They are giving my country great respect .)
" Sir , why every year in the border BSF is killing bangladeshi people as of today 100 numbers "
Me : No answer
I look at his face .... Its not one of pointing fingers in anger . Its of helplessness
"Sir is it because we are poor country "
Me : No answer ... (Unfortunately its true the killings as i read in the newspaper at least once during my 5 day stay )
It is said that travelling opens your eyes and ears and removes the last vestiges of your false pride . I am still proud of my country india (in a good way ) but i understand that there is tremendous scope for improvement in its relationship with neighbours . We who criticise US foreign policy for certain actions fail to realise how our actions as a country is perceived by our neighbours . Seeing the "beautiful " people of Bangladesh i am really shocked that india could deal like this to Bangladesh especially when india had a crucial role in getting Bangladesh freedom in 1971 .
As another Senior person put it " We want india not as our friend but as our Big brother " ... But not as Master . And unlike many criticisms i have heard in my homeland these two people were very clear that they were expressing their opinion knowing fully well that I am not to blame for indian foreign policy .
There is tremendous scope for indian involvement in Bangladesh science technology progress , i mean potential . Not as a rich neighbour but as a big brother whose economy may not be as strong as india but whose people are so loving towards indians . If they can treat me like a king why cant we reciprocate and do good to them ?
" Sir we love india " ( I feel proud ) (They are giving my country great respect .)
" Sir , why every year in the border BSF is killing bangladeshi people as of today 100 numbers "
Me : No answer
I look at his face .... Its not one of pointing fingers in anger . Its of helplessness
"Sir is it because we are poor country "
Me : No answer ... (Unfortunately its true the killings as i read in the newspaper at least once during my 5 day stay )
It is said that travelling opens your eyes and ears and removes the last vestiges of your false pride . I am still proud of my country india (in a good way ) but i understand that there is tremendous scope for improvement in its relationship with neighbours . We who criticise US foreign policy for certain actions fail to realise how our actions as a country is perceived by our neighbours . Seeing the "beautiful " people of Bangladesh i am really shocked that india could deal like this to Bangladesh especially when india had a crucial role in getting Bangladesh freedom in 1971 .
As another Senior person put it " We want india not as our friend but as our Big brother " ... But not as Master . And unlike many criticisms i have heard in my homeland these two people were very clear that they were expressing their opinion knowing fully well that I am not to blame for indian foreign policy .
There is tremendous scope for indian involvement in Bangladesh science technology progress , i mean potential . Not as a rich neighbour but as a big brother whose economy may not be as strong as india but whose people are so loving towards indians . If they can treat me like a king why cant we reciprocate and do good to them ?
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