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'The most lovable attribute of India is our people's resilience'
'Our democracy is in form. Our judicial institution is broadly fine. Our parliamentary system is by and large working fine...' says Arun Jaitley, Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, in our special series where well-known Indians tell Rediff.com why they love India.
The sense of cynicism in India has increased. It is so because of the high expectations of the people. The government is not able to measure up to it, whether it is in giving qualitative politics or the economy.
Particularly in the last three years, a very large part of aspiring India is disillusioned. The cynicism is attributable also to the leader-less United Progressive Alliance.
I would say there are many aspects of India that are still encouraging.
Our democracy is in form.
Our judicial institution is broadly fine, with some scope for improvement.
Our parliamentary system is by and large working fine.
The model of the civil service for governance has built up a sturdy framework. Our civil society is getting stronger.
Middle-class India is the conscience-keeper of the nation. What defines it is the social polarisation in the country.
The only segment I am deeply concerned with are the tribals. They are kept out of the development processes.
There has been one change in the aspirations of Indians over the years. Our sovereignty was the matter of concern for decades, but it is no longer so.
It is the issue of development and federalism that the Indian political class is striving for.
I would say the most lovable attribute of India is our people's resilience. I love our sense of resilience and aspiration.
The Indian people have a sense of fairness. They throw out governments regularly. Even the conventional attachment seen in political parties in America is weakening.
The fluctuating votes are making the difference here. They are creating a swing factor in the election. In India, fluctuating votes matter. I attribute it to the sense of fairness of the Indian people!
Arun Jaitley, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, and one of the senior-most leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party, spoke to Sheela Bhatt.
Read our full series here: Why I love India