Pachyderms and Pentiums, an Indian point of viewLetter to the Editor
Dear Editor, This is with regard to the frequently asked questions about India by people who are just curious to know more about it. We are delighted that you have agreed to publish this, and on behalf of the Indian students at SIUE, we extend our heartfelt gratitude. It's not just a jungle but another Silicon Valley in the making. We're talking about India where it's not just the elephants stomping around or the snakes rattling under your feet, but Windows NT catering to billion-dollar corporations and Dolby Stereo kicking in that extra bit of bass sound. The majority of the Indian students have been faced with the following questions: "Do you really have snake charmers and cobras in your country?" "Have you guys ever seen cable TV?" "Do you live in real homes or tree houses?" "Are your parents going to marry you off to a total stranger? What if he/she is a weirdo?". Ah well, this letter is an earnest attempt to do away with some of these misconceptions. Once when the maharajahs (kings) ruled over India, it was one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Indian civilization is ancient, like the Egyptian culture. Religious scriptures have blessed the people of India with a sense of spirituality. Indian scientists of ancient times have envisioned the design of an aircraft which was eventually invented by the Wright brothers. Not to discredit the Wright brothers but to enlighten the reader that India was ahead of its times in the past. In the field of mathematics, the numeral zero was invented by Indian mathematicians. The Ayurveda system of medicine, yoga, Kama Sutra, martial arts, music, dance and architecture have flourished in India for centuries. Actually India is much more than just history. In addition to these ancient marvels, modern India can boast of its status as one of the rapidly developing nations of the world. Today, the software market is booming and has the latest versions of any new software developed around the world. Quality software products are also exported. The Indian Space Research Organization has launched many satellites into orbit. Cable TV is up to date with the latest entertainment and science channels. The world's largest democracy also boasts of the world's second-largest railway network. Indian tourism offers a treat for people around the world. The regions in the northern part of India welcome tourists with their beautiful valleys and snow-capped mountains and the southern part beckons people with its golden beaches and resplendent greenery. Historic monuments such as the Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Golden Temple, other architectural temples, artistically sculpted caves and caverns and a lot more are a real treat for the eye and the soul. So, if you are looking for a country which is a perfect blend of the past and the present, where pachyderms and Pentiums go hand in hand, look to the east and look upon India. One more thing, lets not miss out on Miss Universe '94 and Miss World '94, who were both from India.
Krishnapillai, Sneha
Radhakrishnan, |