From “Let China be the benchmark” to “China can’t be India’s benchmark”
Posted : August 25, 2004 at 5:43 am [IST]
Benchmarking is the best way of meeting and defeating competition. Many suggest India to choose the nearest and the best competitor- China and to benchmark with its strength. India and Indians can not go on finding excuses about incompatibility of its competition. After all China was one like India only few years ago. Democracy of India must be taken as strength and not an excuse for not competing on growth rate and other parameters
Am I right when I wish India to benchmark China? I am surprised when I try to assess their abilty to excel in every area. Latest that I know China is second in medal tally at Athens Olympics 2004. as at 11Pm on August 24, China is second with a total of 48 medals followed by Japan with 29 and US at the top with 61.
Is there any correlation between the economic development and power and the medal tallies? Seeing the China’s record it appears there is one. China own its first gold medal in 1984 in Los Angeles.Now let me quote from Mr. Pranay Gupte’ column in Outlook of August 30 issue. Gupte is a former New York Times correspondent. “India is now the world’s fourth strongest country, after the US, China and Japan.” And he predicts like many others- ” And if India sustain an annual economic growth rate of 6-7% over the next decade, it will overtake Japan in sheer economic might.” If we look at the medal tally above, there is a straight correlation between the number of medals for the country and the economic might for the three countries holding the first three positions. When it comes to India- the fourth economic power of the world the correlation does not get extended. I find India at a position not worth mentioning and that also for the sole army’s Major Rathore.
Why is it so? Is it because of our so hyped democracy? Is it because of too much political interference? Is it because India can’t be in the big leagues of nation in any thing? Is it that our position in IT or pharma a chance?
- Indra
Category: Indian politics |
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