“JAPAN - AN
EXAMPLE TO EMULATE ”
BY
J.L. GUPTA
During the 2nd World War the Allies suspected that
Nazi Germany was making weapons of mass destruction. To counter, the ‘Manhattan
project’ was undertaken. In May 1945, Nazi Germany had lost and surrendered.
The focus of the Allies had, accordingly, shifted from Germany to Japan. However,
as originally planned the Atomic bombs had not only been designed but actually built
too. Thereafter, the time for use and the actual targets were finalized.
On the morning of August 6, 1945, an Atom bomb was dropped over
Hiroshima. It brought death, destruction and devastation for the people. Before
the country could even recover from the rude shock, on Aug. 9, 1945, the
residents of Nagasaki were confronted with a similar disaster.
The
bombs and bullets are no respecters of
beauty. They only deface, defile and destroy. There
was instantaneous Death of thousands of innocent people. A mass destruction of
property in every direction. Total devastation all around. Buildings were
decimated into dust. The green turned grey. The blasts left behind armies of the
dead; handicapped, injured; persons afflicted with radiation and other
problems. The land was rendered uncultivable.
Mercifully, even after the lapse of more than six decades, Japan
remains the first and the only country in the world to have faced a nuclear holocaust.
And, it must be said to the credit of the Japanese that they did not let the
destruction destroy them. They did not bend or bow. They stood together. Firm like
a rock. Maintained their dignity as a people. Exhibited a unique and
unparalleled sense of national pride. They did not go around with a beggar’s
bowl. They sought no help from anyone. The
people performed. They persevered, produced and rose to the pinnacle of glory.
The nation sweated. The results have been sweet. It has set an example for the
whole world. It is an example of Economic resurrection and rise to a high level
of growth despite all kinds of destruction, difficulties and disasters. It will
make any people proud. And let us also remember that this is not the solitary
instance.
Japan is known to be prone to earthquakes. It has faced not only
the man-made but even the natural calamities with an equal aplomb. A comparatively
recent event should illustrate. On March 16, 2011 “* an 8.9 magnitude
earthquake and tsunami set in motion a chain of disastrous events at the”
Fukushima – Daichii nuclear power plant. The people faced it valiantly. They created no
fuss. Made no noise. Maintained absolute dignity and controlled the situation
completely. The crises, whether man made or natural are faced by the people
with equal equanimity. *(How Nuclear Power Works by Marshal Brian & Robert Lamb)
(science.howstuffworks.com/nuclear-power)
As against Japan, India is much bigger in size. Almost ten
times. It has all the natural resources. Land, rivers, mines, minerals and
mountains. More than a billion pair of hands. Yet, we are one of the poorest in
the world. Economically, far behind Japan. Why? Because we have not developed the
kind of character, devotion to duty, discipline and work culture that the
Japanese have. Otherwise, there can be no explanation for so much poverty in
the midst of such plenty.
We need to emulate the fine example set by the brave people of
Japan. For our own good! That should prove to be the panacea for most of our
problems.
Japan was not a poor country before the second WW. It was never colonized. It was a developed country and a strong nation-state with strong industrial base, good infrastructure and educated population. Japan itself was a colonial power in the region with its empire extending from Manchuria to the Dutch East Indies, including satellite states in China, Indochina, Thailand, and Malaya. After the war it had mainly to be re-constructed.
ReplyDeleteInitially the Marshall Plan did not cover Japan but it was expanded in 1950s to include it. The post-war introduction to democracy and a free economy into Japan by the US is widely cited as proof of what can be done with economic aid. Under the provisional governance of Douglas MacArthur and able stewardship of his economic advisor Joseph Dodge, its economy was revitalized with American economic aid. Undoubtedly the reconstruction task was made easy because the Japanese people are well disciplined and hardworking people and very patriotic and nationalistic.
On the other hand, India was not a developed country before independence. There was no industrial base, good infrastructure and widespread education. The wealth and resources were continuously transferred abroad by its foreign rulers. After independence, the five-year development plans made big differences and in the last 67 years India has been pulling itself up to become an economic power that will leave Japan and many other developed nations envious. Our post-independence rulers hitched the wrong wagon of socialism,chose wrong sponsors and alienated many helping hands. Thus India lost precious time. Now it is obvious that democracy and free market economy are the mantra for rapid economic growth.
The vision and the goals are clear now and soon someone in Japan will be writing a blog to tell fellow Japanese to emulate India, inshaa Allah.
Mera Desh Mahan. Jai Hind
Having worked closely with the Japanese, can vouch for their discipline, work ethic, placing societal above self and consensual decision making approach. That's why they are where they are.
ReplyDeleteIt is said that gold medals are not made with gold but with sweat, determination and a rare alloy called guts. Japan, a country which has proved it's mettle. A country that inspires. A country that has stood rock solid in adversity.
ReplyDeleteA spirit of perseverance that is enduring is what is required to battle the hard knocks. A lesson learnt well. How many will emulate?
French scholar Romain Rolland once said: “If there is one place on the face of the earth where all dreams of living men have found a home from the very earliest days when man began the dream of existence, it is India”.
ReplyDeleteAlbert Einstein said: "We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made"
Mark Twain said: "India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend and the great grandmother of tradition"
I guess one has to be an outsider to admire India and the Indians? We, the Indians, one the other hand are perpetual armchair complainers for our country’s failings. It is virtuous to suggest matching the achievements of Japan and admiring the Japanese people for their toil, sweat and disciplined character in re-building their nation from rubbles. But we, the Indians, should be gratified and feel superior because we were never feudalistic and barbarous like the Japanese were few decades ago. I am proud of my heritage and my love for the enduring democracy. One of our neighboring countries that got freedom from colonial rule a day earlier than us has turned out to be a an economic basket case in the world and its citizens blowing themselves up and everything around.
It is true that India’s administrative machinery is feeble, pathetic and corrupt and that India still has many intrinsic infrastructural problems compounded with a lack of focus on real issues by our elected leaders . Yet there are a lot of positives too to inspire hope. I believe that individually and jointly we can make a difference and win the Marathon to become a global power and make our beloved country a political and economic entity in the world.
Jai Hind
Little Boy was delivered to Hiroshima and Fat Man to Nagasaki in the early days of August 1945. About half of the estimated 129,000–246,000+ deaths were within the (respective) first day.
ReplyDeleteThe older generation is very much pacifist (as are most of the older generation globally), so the recent moves by the current administration is confusing to many. The government and business leaders have a history of doing what ever it takes to move forward... the direction was always clear... a refrigerator, a TV, and a washing machine... the problem now is what direction to choose... to dip into the waters of a military-industrial economy (welcomed by western allies) seems to be the flavor de jour.
In our youth it's appropriate to emulate what we see as positive traits... but it's our seeing, not our neighbors doing that is more to the point. When we as individuals or in larger group have a shared vision there is an impact... the pitfall is that that process works no matter what the choices...
Hats off to the Japanese. One more reason why they are great :
ReplyDeletehttp://news.oneindia.in/sports/fifa-world-cup-2014-japanese-fans-clean-up-stadium-after-team-s-loss-1466876.html
There is so much to learn from them and a long way to go before we can lay a claim to being a great civilization.