India’s nouveau riche are often, sadly, self-centred braggers who enjoy flaunting their wealth. It’s a reflection of a more general trend in India—as it grows and its wealth increases rapidly, it’s also becoming increasingly self-centred as a nation, lost in its own world and not bothering about its responsibilities and moral duty towards its neighbours, even when they’re in crisis.
Pakistan, for example, is facing its worst floods in living memory and the international media is full of stories of the large-scale devastation and massive death toll in flood affected parts of North West Frontier Province, Punjab and Sindh. Millions of lives have been affected by this epic natural disaster.
But while the international community and aid agencies pump aid to those affected, neighbouring India seems to be aloof and blind to the tragedy affecting Pakistan—I’ve yet (at the time of writing) to hear of any aid package for the victims from the Indian government. Meanwhile, the Indian media is barely giving the disaster the time of day, with news channels instead full of stories on the corruption wracking the Commonwealth Games.
Compare this with the United States and other Western nations, which are trying to mobilize resources domestically and internationally to assist the victims. This is obviously good politics—the Obama administration wants to win the trust of a Pakistani public that often sees the United States as working against their interests.
But as an immediate neighbour, India should also try winning the hearts and minds of the Pakistani people. As the largest country in South Asia, India needs to demonstrate big heartedness towards its smaller neighbour. After all, good ties with the neighbours will be a prerequisite if this country of a billion people wants to claim a leading position on the international stage.
The comfort of having a bit more money has made India an international conformist that doesn’t want to take risks. It’s an ironic contrast with the country’s pre-liberalization days, when a poor India was a leader of the Non-Aligned Movement.
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Ashi
Who has written this article? a small child ?? India did help Pakistan after the Earthquake in north Pakistan some years back, what did it get in return – Mumbai attacks ?? Pakistan needs to stop spending billions on weapons systems to help itself rather than begging around by flaunting the misery of its people at the international stage.
Hamid
Indians like Ashi were born to hate Pakistan. Saudi, China, and American, Britain, EU are offering many millions to help Pakistan. They will be remembered as true allies that came through in our moment of suffering. While Pakistan does not expect a single rupee from India and India has not given any, India has not even offered the usual expression of sympathy. India is heartless, they relish in the thought that Pakistan is suffering from a natural disaster. For the Hindus, it is only “karma” and a good thing. Check out the comments from the India media, as you will see fanatical and malicious wishes for Pakistan to breakup so India can dominate. Shame.
Raman Verma
Quite shocking, as it says the article comes from the admin. I understand that people shall unite in the name of humanity and put aside their grievances.
The point is not that India is becoming outright self centered, but that relations between the two countries are in fact very low at this time. India suspects that Pakistan is stoking unrest in Kashmir. When our foreign minister had gone to Islamabad last month(for starting talks), they put on some totally unwarranted, incomprehensible public treatment that showed very low diplomatic behavior.
As far as helping thy neighbors is concerned, India was quite open-heartedly helped out Tsunami affected countries and Burma in the recent disasters.
Rajeev
Amazing article. So true. I agree with the author that India should give money to Pakistan. What if ISI launches Mumbai attacks? What if Pakistan is stoking new problems in Kashmir? What if they launch Kargil? Personally, I think India should donate money, like US, so that they can find more shoe-bombers and car-bombers. As US has paid Pakistan 11 billion dollars in aid and provided military supplies for free to Pakistan, it became most hated country in Pakistan. I think India should buck the trend and help the glorious Pakistan so that it can conservatively fund its operations in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Kerala and ofcourse in Kashmir. I would support providing high tech weapons that India is buying and provide it as an aid so that Pakistan can launch nuclear bombs on India. Of course, humanitarian help should paramount, just like JuD is helping India.
Jack
Allah helps those who help themselves. Begging is un-Islamic.
Krishna Rao
Why should we ? If India has any money it was earned by enterprenuership and hard work. We would rather spend it on our own people not a creed dedicated to our destruction.
DrRaj
This author and his fellow ilk are the people who write all Indian Pakistani bhai bhai on news papers and magazines, but when it comes to real world they are as normal as we are. for example when this author is given a 1000rs from some one he does not know for some services he might have rendered, he would surely make sure that the 1000 rs bill is original, because he does know that his so called paki brothers from the other side of border have pushed fake 100 rs bills into INDIA.
if for the time being that we assume that we provide help to paki land for the flood, would that mean that the enemity would end. or the paki dream of planting a green flag on red fort would be no more???
During the last earth quake on LOC Indian soldiers helped paki soldiers from rubble, the same soldiers who tortured Saurabh Kalia. And what do we get in return, the mumbai attacks.
PapaTom
Could someone please total the amount of money that is being donated by the leading countries mentioned above. Let me know what the total is. Pakistani military spends zillions on its collection of toys for what reason..? Fear of India….My foot fear of India. Military needs a full shake down from top to bottom and right to the grass roots. Trust me one more attack in USA and there will be hell to pay and it will come sooner than later. There will be no peace till its military gives up anti-India tirade. Doesnt matter what the stooges do in Islamabad. They are all corrupt so is the military. Look at Musharaf. Remember this guy saying on tv that he owns one house and when he left office the guys worth over $10 million and beyond. My goodness. All this aid thrown at the country doesnt go to the poor where my sympathy lies but goes to the coffers of the dummies in uniform.
Bharat
This is what a moderate Pakistani had to say abt India. These are absolutely fine people whom we refer to in “people to people” contact stuff.
“I hate Pakistan Army not because who is in it. I hate it because it surrendered to a pussyass army which was beaten back by Tamil, Bangladeshi soldiers, China, Maoists, Kashmiris and the list goes on and on. We need a new army and new direction. The present structure failed the best warriors in the world. Look how rag tag Taliban have thrust a stunning defeat to mighty 43 countries NATO. Read the history. Over 500 invaders came through Khyber Pass since Alexander. All got absorbed in this land today known as Pakistan. The original civilization took place here. The name India is from river Indus and based on civilization along its banks. I know how Kashmiris fought and how Pathan fought against asswipe army of the world AKA India. But the CIA Assassinatin Bureau in Pakistan AKA ISI failed them. A new Taliban style army is the answer. My prediction in late 1990’s about India dissolving in 2023 is just 13 years away. We need very accurate, and sophisticated and a lot of firepower to get what belongs to us.”
The saving grace is he believes Pakistan lost all wars fought against India. 99% Pakistanis believe Pakistan trounced India in all wars.
joaquim
I watched an video on Kashmir anchored by Bakrha Dutt today – no one mentioned the death that occured due to no fault of their’s in Leh – There was a young student Arab juno was shouting of death of criminal who were shot by security forces. It’s time that Taliban run Pakistan and then may be they will stop begging. Double shame Hamad
saip
I still remember. When 2005 earthquake struck India offered 50 (yes fifty) helicopters to Pakistan for relief operations. But Pakistan put conditions for acceptance of these helis from India. They said in effect that India being the enemy they cannot allow Indians to overfly their territory and the earthquake victims be damned. It took weeks before NATO countries could marshal some helicopters for the rescue operations. Meanwhile thousands died but Pakistan could not care less. Pakistanis did not have many helicopters at that time.
When finally they accepted some aid from India they insisted that those items should not have ‘MADE IN INDIA’ imprinted on them. Being a peaceful country India obliged. But I dont see why India should offer aid and suffer humiliation.
And how did the Pakistanis prepare themselves after the 2005 Earthquake?
Instead of creating an emergency relief agency with necessary infrastructure to take care of natural calamities they spent billions of dollars buying dozens of F16s, Agosta submarines, Perry class frigates, Swedish recce aircraft and countless other weapons with the sole aim of attacking not the Taliban but India.
Allah (SAW) will help those who helps themselves.
Jim
Here’s something for Pakistani Islamic Terrorists to Ponder on …
Bangladesh signs 1-billion-dollar loan agreement with India
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/news/338438,1-billion-dollar-loan-agreement-india.html
Compared that to the PAKIS — !!
They are always “Begging” for aid from FOP (Friends oF Pakistan), USA — 18 Billion Dollars provided since 9/11, China (provides JF-17 Bandars, Dongless Missiles & Nukes)
What did China give — Let me guess 650 Tents and 10 Million Dollars ??
Wonderful isnt it ? Free Weapons —> to attack India ??
Since 1947, Pakistan has Killed 100s, and maimed 1000s of Indian Citizens WorldWide !!!
Jammu & Kashmir — is nothing But a pretext for Obtaining ALL the waters that are the Lifeline for Northern INdia —
This INSPITE of getting 80 % of the waters BY a USA sponsored Indus Water Treaty in Favor of the PAKISTANIS !!!!!
What a Country — Cannot help its OWN Citizens in terms of CATASTROPHE or Natural Calamities — YET never FAILS to threaten ITS neighbors with Nuclear Weapons and ALSO sponsors TERRORISM in INDIA & AFGHANISTAN !!!!
Prashant
Is this satire? I could swear I’ve heard the turn of phrase “As the largest country in South Asia, India needs to demonstrate big heartedness towards its smaller neighbour” before. Oh wait that was the Pakistanis just before Kargil.
Hamid up there is wrong. It isn’t Karma. It’s bad governance. Spend more money on flood control measures instead of training suicide bombers and terrorists. But hey apparently it’s all the rage to rant at the kaffirs. Who am I to spoil the party.
Manish Jain
No country anywhere is giving hard cash to pakis. Only goods and services, why should India pay pakistan?
Ways for pakistan to raise money -
1- Zardari and Nawaj Sharif sell their properties all around the world then pakistan won’t need any outside help at all.
2- The TSP army can accept tents/food/medicines in lieu of weapons from US.
3- TSP citizens can donate towards flood relief instead of zakat for jihad in India/Europe/pretty much whole world.
4- Wahabis in US can forget the ground zero mosque and send those millions to Pakistan for flood relief.
5- ISI can use money from heroin trade for flood relief instead of funding terrorism.
Will any of it happen? No, but in author’s opinion, India should pay. where’s that *rolleyes* icon?
Chris
In 1947 India gave Rs 500million to Pakistan. 1948 Pakistan attacks Kashmir
1965 India wins the war against Pakistan but does not claim any territory or concessions in return.
So, Pakistan return the favor by attacking India in 1972 (after carrying out genocide of millions of Bangladeshis). India had 90000 Pakistani soldiers as Prisoners of War. At Shimla Summit, India gives away those 90000 soldiers without asking anything in return.
So, Pakistan returns the gesture by starting low intensity war in Kashmir and spreading terror in Kashmir and Punjab.
1990s India rejects Israeli proposal for quick air strikes against Pakistan nuclear facilities. In return, India gets 1993 Mumbai bombings and ISI spreads in nefarious activities in Nepal and Bangladesh to destabilize India.
1999, then PM Vajpayee goes to Lahore by bus as a major peace initiative. Pakistan returned the favor by sending shiploads of soldiers in Kargil.
2005 Pakistan earthquake – Indian aid accepted with several mind numbing conditions. But aid returned with interest in form of Mumbai attacks.
Now again there is a situation where Pakistan needs aid. I wonder if India should give any!
Indian people have NOTHING against Pakistani people and I am sure it is the same on the other side of the border. But if for all Indian help and goodwill gesture all it gets in returns are bombs and terrorist from Pak authorities, I believe nobody in his/her right mind would (or rather should) give any aid whatsoever.
Alex Helling
Sure most of the comments above are true. Much of Pakistan’s problems are their own fault through poor governance, yes their corrupt officials and politicians should be donating and sure they seem to be somewhat paranoid of India and have a role behind numerous attacks on India.
But then almost all the same can be said of Pakistan’s views towards the USA and other Western nations but it is not stopping them giving. Of course it is easy for the rich world to give as even though they are in crisis they have money.
But on the other hand India has much more to gain from giving than the west does, especially countries like Japan and Norway who are giving but have little interest in Afghanistan. http://www.guardian.co.uk/news/datablog/2010/aug/09/pakistan-flood-aid India can build goodwill that it may eventually be able to capitalise on and help create a lasting peace. Be seen to not give anything and you simply increase resentment. It is possible Pakistan may refuse the aid as they did with the helicopters but then it is the Pakistani government who can be blamed by the Pakistani people not the Indians and you don’t lose anything by offering and being rejected.
It would be wise to remember that the USA was happy for the states of Eastern Europe to benefit from the Marshall plan despite them being socialist and increasingly communist. It was the USSR that prevented them accepting. You should take the chances you get to reach out to your enemies if you are ever to have any hope of reconciliation.
Bharat
Alex, You appear to be a western commentator.You said ” You should take the chances you get to reach out to your enemies if you are ever to have any hope of reconciliation.”
The rules that apply to the civilized ppl of USSR, Eastern Bloc donot apply here. I would suggest you invite thousand Pakistanis from different walks of life and settle them in your neighborhood. After a year they will make you fall in line. Dont overlook what they are doing in the UK. Just last week a gang of Pakistanis were arrested who were pimping a little girl for several years.
Chaitanya S
What nonsense ! India has been in the forefront of rescue and relief operations in several recent natural disasters afflicting its neighbours.
Sri Lanka: India was the first country to respond to the tsunami disaster in December 2004. India promptly sent its naval vessels (about 32 of them) to Sri Lanka to contribute to rescue and relief operations even while thousands of its own people were affected by the tsunami http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanitarian_response_to_the_2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake#Asia_and_Oceania
Pakistan: When the Oct 2005 earthquake struck in Pakistan,
BBC: India offered US$ 25 million in aid to Pak http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4381982.stm
Dawn: Efforts of Indian armed forces: http://www.dawn.com/2005/10/13/top9.htm
India also contributed aid to Myanmar after Cyclone Nargis 2008: http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-rushes-aid-to-Myanmar-helping-warming-ties/Article1-309106.aspx
Check your facts before going on and on about India’s supposed self-centeredness.
If Pakistan is not getting aid right now, may be it has to do with the fact that Pakistan’s biggest contribution to India and its society has been its export of terrorism, signified by the most recent attack – Mumbai 26/11.
Indian
“But on the other hand India has much more to gain from giving than the west does, especially countries like Japan and Norway who are giving but have little interest in Afghanistan. India can build goodwill that it may eventually be able to capitalise on and help create a lasting peace. Be seen to not give anything and you simply increase resentment.”
My good sir, what you say has been tried in the past to absolutely no avail. Even generous donations from India would do little to even dent the popular anti-India propaganda that is all pervasive in Pakistan. You see, the problem is not our moral character but rather who we are – a pluralistic, democratic, non-muslim majority state. These things are anathema to the Pakistanis. No amount of aid, food, medicine or even gold would defeat their ingrained anti-India indoctrination. On the contrary, by trying to help them, it would actually be used as further anti-India propaganda by somehow generating more conspiracy theories about how India caused the flood (with Zionist help obviously! ). Even now, some of the more extremely radicalized segments are already peddling the Indian-flood conspiracy theory. Our attempts to help them would only give credence to the Extremists who would see it as humiliating and further hamper the already tenuous control of the quasi democratic government as being an “Indian stooge” .
Chaitanya S
India has announced aid to Pakistan flood victims:
Aid assistance of USD 5 million for provision of relief material to flood victims in Pakistan: http://www.mea.gov.in/pressrelease/2010/08/13pr03.htm
It is up to Pakistan to take or reject it. I hope the aid makes its way to its intended recipients
asqs
Being at receiving end of terror attack coming from pakistan on daily basis in kashmir, sanjay kumar still expects india to give aid. Now he will say “what have ‘innocent’ pakistani people done”.These are the same pakistani people who gather in thousands of numbers at rallies organised by Hafiz Saeed ,Syed Sallauddin and Maulana Masood azhar.
Ashi
Here, the author should be happy now, India offers aid to Pakistan:
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Asia/Story/STIStory_565988.html
But of course, the snobs that Pakistani Authorities are, they will ‘consider’ the aid, as if a rich lady is going to choose whether to have an extra cheese topping on her 7 course lunch !!!
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/front-page/19-indias-aid-offer-being-considered-480-hh-14
Deepak
This blog post was premature at best. India offered Pakistan $5 million in aid after the floods happened. Pakistan is reportedly only “considering” India’s request. See this report: http://www.news24.com/World/News/Pakistan-considers-help-from-India-20100814
Alok
I too was wondering for long as to why India has not issued statements and/or offered relief to aid to those affected in neighbouring Pakistan. I felt the same way Sanjay Kumar felt and wrote in the post above. I did some my research of my own on Indian response to natural calamities worldwide. As provided in the links above (by Chaitanya and others), India does seem to have provided aid for the affected population (including Pakistan). So whats bothering the Indian government this time. They of course are aware of the grim situation in Pakistan. From my understanding there are three things. First Indo-Pak bilateral ties are at their lowest after the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks and attempts to revive was torpedoed by Mr Qureshi. Citizen of this country have not forgotten Mumbai and Pakistans unwillingness to bring the culprits to justice. Any attempt to provide any big aid in this situation might lead to public/political backlash. Second, last time we tried helping them but the military/government in Pakistan partially rejected or created troubles. I believe Pakistan military or government would never want Goodwill for India to develop in the Pakistani junta. So providing aid under the name of anonymous would perhaps be a better option for indian government. Third Pakistan has a history of returning favours and aids to India in various nefarious forms. Perhaps after so many instances Indian govt has learned from its mistakes and not repeating them might be a good thing to do.
Therefore I dont think India or Indian govt has become self centered because of wealth. I personally doubt this, because if feel Indians are in general more selfless than their US and western counterparts. I think its the present situation and the past experience that have led to the current Indian response to those affected.
Even though India might be justified in doing what it did, on a very personal front i believe as fellow humans we should do whatever best we can do to help people overcome this terrible disaster.
Anupam Anand
India’s aid offer to Pakistan came more than a fortnight after the Pak floods and people like me would be bound to wonder why so late when we have been very prompt in rushing aid to other countries facing similar catastrophes. I think we all know the answer which is aptly reflected in the fact that Pakistan is still ‘considering’ (to accept/reject) the aid. Pakistan has always been critical of India’s aid to Afghanistan and if it accepts India’s aid right away it would mellow down it stance on India’s growing influence in Afghanistan.Moreover, many of the Pakistani elites would use it for their political gains.Furthermore in broader context what intrigues me is India’s ambivalent and bucking foreign policy.I might be attempting a broad generalization but I do feel there is a complete confused state of affairs at all policy levels, domestic or international.
Rakesh Khanna
The best way for India to help Pakistan would be to close the flood gates on all the dams on the Sutlej and Beas Rivers thereby reducing the volume of water entering the Indus through the Panchnadi River. Furthermore water could be diverted out of the Chenab and Jhelum Rivers as they pass through India. This should reduce the flooding in the Sindh but I doubt if the political will for such measures exist on either side.
PS The Sutlej, Beas, Chenab, Jhelum and Ravi are the main tributaries of the Indus which all pass through India before joining to form the Panchnadi which empties into the Indus.
Brijesh
AFTER OVER ALL COMMENTS, INDIA SHOULD GIVE AID IN KIND TO PAKISTAN, EVEN AFTER SUCH ILL TREATMENT OF INDIA BY PAKISTAN ONLY IN THE NAME OF HUMINITY AND NEIBOURHOOD AS GOD ALWAYS GIVE IN RETURNS WHAT YOU HAVE GIVEN IN PAST.
Nisha Sharma
A country where ZAID HAMID is a natioanl hero with anti HINDU speeches and school books are full of anti HINDUS remarks to spread hate on basis of religion from DECADES .its meaningless to win hearts by offering help to pakistani people by INDIA, Because brainwased people cant see truth. So its better to Use money for our INDIA.
india
India is spending all of taxpayer’s money on Pakistan and its minority community.