We still remember the blood-stained bodies at Tiananmen Square on June 4th 1989. Way back, in the blooming of our youth, we saw on television the massacre of innocent people by the armed forces of China. How mercilessly the iron hands of communism clamped on the movement for democracy? Still the photos that we saw in English magazines of India send chills down our spines. Sounds of guns reverberated, while tanks mowed down thousands of supporters for democracy on that fateful day at Beijing in China. Dead bodies of the supporters lay littered on the streets, while some of those injured were being pushed to the hospital in the cycle trolleys. The Communist top brass in China had shown to the world that what they could even do their own people, if there was a necessity.
India and China share a common border, which is still disputed. Both the nations have great past of struggles for freedom. Although China became an independent state one year after Indian independence, it has marched past all the developed nations in the world in growth and prosperity and is a dreaded super power in the world. Behind the iron curtain of communism, Chinese economy and military prowess have grown by leaps and bounds.
As Indians keeping faith in logical thinking, it would be unfair for us to rate India as a better nation than China. We need to abide by the views that the world holds about both the nations. Both the countries are steeped in the crisis caused by growth of population. Unemployment and many similar internal crises hurt inner situation in both the nations. But by studying the historical past of them, we can see on certain grounds India has appeared as a much better nation.
China has always donned an aggressive posture on international front, clearly showing ideas about hegemony- There are various instances to highlight the fact that Chinese posture on international front has been unnecessarily aggressive. Occupation of Tibet and aggression against India in the sixties amply prove that it has always shown intention about hegemony. It is still demanding parts of Indian territories as its own by showing least respect towards international borders. India’s stand on international matters of other countries is by and large peaceful. Nowhere in the annals of its History, India has shown ideas of hegemony by attacking other countries. After the establishment of United Nations, peace prospective in the world has improved to a large extent. But China’s lack of initiatives against restoring peace and normalcy with other countries is truly unfortunate. As a great nation with a grand historic past, such unnecessary aggressiveness does not suit its status.
Occupation of world’s market by cheap production of various commodities- China’s stand against the capitalist economies in the world is clear from the fact that it wants to flood the market with cheaply produced goods. Be it a wrist-watch or an emergency light, there are two versions available in the market. The cheap, beautiful and moderately strong is known as “Chinese” and costly, strong and quality products have been christened as “company” products”. This is particularly happening in India. Products from China are considered as poor country cousins of the products from other nations. It does not mean China does not offer value in quality in the commodities which it is selling. But to be a leader in world’s market, it should be at par with other products in quality and cost produced by other developed nations in the world. While China’s target in the world’s market is to seize a formidable base and build up an image of an competitor equivalent to the rest of the world, rest of the nations hardly consider Chinese goods as their major competitors. This is basically due to the “self-actualization” part in the consumer behavior prior to buying anything. In a country like India, where the middle class has begun enjoying increasing purchasing power, Chinese goods not at all pose as “status indicators”. Indians buy those goods just for “use-and-throw” purpose.
Companies in a democratic set up like India have earned laurels for their credibility as performers in the world’s economy. Reliance, Tata, Wipro, Infosys and many Indian conglomerates have earned reputation as quality brands in world’s market.
Chinese are supporting violence through Maoism in other countries- Communism is a poor player in the world’s political order. Due to disintegration of Russian empire, communist theories no where appear viable in the world. China wants to make its presence felt as a major communist power. It is taking advantage of unemployed and uneducated people particularly in India and arming them with weapons to act against the democratic set up in India. The result is mind-boggling violence and blood-shed. Maoists usually known as red brigades in India have resorted to killing of number of personnel of defense forces and bombing the government institutions. The irony is China is seriously thinking about taking liberal stand in its business ventures, while its initiatives in foreign policies is just the opposite.
Indian has not stood as supporter for violence in any country. Rather it has lent its armed forces though United Nations to keep peace and normalcy in other disturbed nations.
China as a communist nation is too much inimical towards democracy- Although Communism and Democracy are two different ideas; China has shown unnecessary aggression towards any democratic initiatives. Its own action on Tiananmen Square in Beijing proves this amply. It has even disallowed to give a chance to its own people’s voice on its land.
India as a democratic country has given equal chance to the parties with Communist ideologue. West Bengal in India has long remained under the rule of Communist party Of India. Although it is prominent as a democracy in the world, it has never shown inimical attitude to other forms of ruling.
China’s repression of innocent people is a sad tale for other people in the world- From time to time magazines and newspapers in India report cruel repression of innocent people in China. For ordinary civilians, life is too tough in China. There are draconian laws by the one party system of ruling in China, which have made lives of ordinary people miserable.
India has emerged a better nation by giving place to voice of ordinary people in the system of governance. It has taken laudable measures like e-governance and Panchayati Raj system to take care of people at the grass-root levels. By incorporating appropriate measures of reservation in jobs, it has given social justice a fair chance to flourish. The chasm between “haves” and “have-nots” is getting bridged up by the growth of economy. Recently introduced bill in India to give its public access to all government files is noteworthy in this direction.
