Criticism Is Not a Career: Try Contribution (By a Daughter of a True Indian)
The other evening, I found myself at a casual get-together with friends. The wine was flowing, the snacks were crisp, and the conversation… well, it took its usual ‘after-two-drinks’ detour into the dusty lanes of Indian politics. Suddenly, the room transformed from an air-conditioned lounge in Sydney into a live studio debate on Times Now. One friend was passionately bashing BJP, another passionately bashing Congress. In a few minutes, we had Modi compared to Hitler, and Nehru blamed for our clogged city drains. I, however, sipped my drink silently, offering only a smile here and there. That’s when a friend looked straight at me and smirked, “You’re awfully quiet. Don’t you like criticising Modi and his government? Or are you a Modi bhakt?” Ah! The trap had been set. I smiled again (the kind of smile that confuses even a seasoned debater) and replied, “I’m not a fan of any party. Time to time, I’ve admired some leaders. I liked Indira Gandhi. I liked Atal ji. I do respect Modi too. Bu...