How can India’s ‘soft power’ (capacity to attract others by its culture) become its greatest asset?

Question

It is increasingly axiomatic today that the old calculations of “hard power” are no longer sufficient to guide a country’s conduct in world affairs. Our “soft power” -- the aspects and products of our society that the world finds attractive – have become much more important. Bollywood, Indian art, literature, fashion, and cuisine, the values of Ashoka, Akbar and Gandhi, and the pluralism of our civilization, constitutes our “soft power”. As a society with a free press and a thriving mass media, with a people whose creative energies are daily encouraged to express themselves in a variety of appealing ways, India has an extraordinary ability to tell stories that are more persuasive and attractive than those of its rivals. Is this, rather than nuclear weapons, industrial growth or military might, our real global USP? How credible is our soft power in the face of poverty, communal violence, corruption and caste discrimination?

Additional Details

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Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Dear Mr.Shashi Tharoor,

This is a beatuful issue that you have chosen to highlight. India's soft power is certainly waiting to be tapped into, for India's benefit.

I have the following idea on how to use the same :

As the theme implies, India's soft power is best used for networking, both within and outside India. Outside India, we are most fortunate to have one of the widest diaspora, who have to be channelised properly to promote Indian Values and culture in the country of their adopted countries. Just think of it : Canada, USA, Middle East, Singapore, Malaysia, Large pockets in Europe, the list is very impressive. The Indians abroad can be motivated to swing political opinion and perception, in India's favour. Right from small issues like aid for India's underprivileged, to something major, like a permanent UNSC seat, can be achieved with a channelised activity like the above. (If you can chair such an initiative, Sir, I would be happy to support you in this endeavour).

In return, we can offer these fellow Indians some extended hospitality, and make their lives and that of their extended families in India a wee bit easier.

Within India, Sir, there exists an even bigger opportunity. I, for one, am working with one of the largest MNCs, in a middle management position, based in Mumbai. While interacting with my peers, colleagues and Industry counterparts, I have observed that there is an inherent desire in many to contribute in some way to society; but the lack of organised effort makes many of them reticent, and some of them limit their involvement to financial contributions. If a majority of this group can be motivated with an organised and transparent
movement, they will come forward to assist and take this movement forward.

We live in a highly networked world, and with effective use of technology, we can bridge the gap between the two Indias, the India of the advanced rocket science and IT, and the India of the villages.

With best regards, Krishnakumar.

Source(s):

My own words!

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Great answer. Thanks.

Answer 2

India is a mix of culture which one cant find in any other country. Our culture varies from the north to south and east to west. Hindi words have been added to the Oxford dictionary. Indus valley civilization was thriving when there were barbarians around us. Multilingual as we are, why do we worry whether our culture can be our greatest asset?

Answer 3

Bollywood, Indian art, literature, fashion, and cuisine, the values of Ashoka, Akbar and Gandhi, and the pluralism of our civilization, does not constitutes our “soft power”.

The Spiritual Knowledge gives us that "Soft - Power".

The spiritual knowledge makes us open and dynamic.

Makes us accept, adapt and respect all cultures, civilization and its background and reach out anyone, anywhere and anyhow...

Answer 4

Yes, as history shows, India being uncounqured completely till british entry. Akbar is the first one to realise it and he found that only with force it is not possible to conquer India, he adopted some ideas from Indian culture such as vegetarian habitat, participating in rituals and rites.

Also, from history it is explicit that we follow some thing /some one powerful at that time. Say, Mahatma Gandhi was powerful and people followed him, following (afraiding) moghuls leads to conversion of their religion and similarly in many moments it has been proven. (of course, Mahatma is the only person who conqured almost whole of the nation)

It is now the case, where people started following the western culture, where as the rest of the world is looking into India's soft power. I afraid our nation is loosing its soft power. We are started feeling that having lot of money, a building of own, a vehicle, a cushion bed, etc. are the only way of leading comfortable life and we are deserting villages and moving towards metroes. To get the above said luxuries we started doing all sorts of negative aspects.

Thanks to some of the villages, communities whom themselves don't want to loose their soft power and I appreciate few Religious preachers (following non-violence) who are vigorously introducing the Yoga style life.

Now we are in a position, to re-create awareness among ourselves first and then it is sure that the soft power again will rule the world.

Answer 5

Sex mixed with spiritual power will have better effect.

Answer 6

India is second in population yet is able to feed everybody,India has the most diverse culture background yet they unite at the time of crisis,Indians can face racial abuse yet invite the same people with a NAMASTE (recent reality show!!) .nobody has to teach us culture,on the contrary be taught one!! our way of globalisation is an eye opener for the west.

Answer 7

I support this statement.
Soft Power is not only about Colours,Culture & Cuisine.
but also about Forgiveness & Sacrifices given by our leaders adn inspiration.
Ashoka sacrificed.
Buddha sacrificed.
Eklavya sacrificed.
Karna sacrificed and many of them, and this is the result that today we are living in freedom without any enimity from others.
People have learn the lesson of forgiveness and sacrifice and love other living beings without slaughtering them.
This is the only reason people are attracted towards the country and want to explore more of it.

Answer 8

Unity in diversity through soft power is the main asset of India and World is acknowledging it. People visit India in search of solace and peace.
OK. Then how can we display it more vividly to attract more n more people, where they should come, etc. are the big Q's.
We can think of an University of culture ( may be one in each zone, say 4) where scholars from any part of world shall be enrolled and they will become the Ambassadors of our rich culture to spread the sublime humanity, Love, Peace, Brotherhood, Family based values etc. Initially this can be started at the IIM's.
Poverty, violence, corruption can be eradicated by stricter laws.

Answer 9

when India culture not binding any one people respect their culture for own respect not because of their elder's

Answer 10

I am really disagree with u. Nobody is pointing towards the ill effect of our culture. Why a child has to obey elders till last minute irrespective whether they r good or bad? Why elders always find young people as evil things instead of offering them a helping hand? Why single mothers and their sons always face hard times? Why there is so much poverty exist? Why there is no value for young people in society though they r most vulnerable? And many more such things. If these r the soft powers then I hate it and including the peoples who make glory with it. I am sure u will put me thumbs down.

Source(s):

Years of experience.

Answer 11

Our spiritual heritage provides the answer!
Since time immemorial, it has attracted many seekers (seekers of education, knowledge, spirituality etc), adventurers, conquerors, exploiters, to invade us! Many got 'conquered', and stayed back to benefit from our hospitality, and also enriched our heritage further. Many did successfully exploit us, but could not really 'take back' anything to sustain the "hard power”!
Today with the Global scenario where 'hard-power' is a threat of no more than 'terrorism' of just kinds ( !) , that is, (1) the known 'hard power' and (2) the economic muscle power, better awareness has dawned(more) on affluent individuals who are turning to India for seeking a lasting peace, salvation, something that gives a greater joy than then material prosperity !
It is just this 'soft power' in us that really 'influences' the manifest forms narrated in the question... namely values demonstrated by Ashoka, Akbar and Gandhi, pluralism of civilization, etc.

Answer 12

Not only India even in USA, UK, Russian countries they are facing poverty, Discrimination between Blacks and whites, Corruptions, Chinese and japanese discriminations., All of the countries are had same problems with difference manner. Because the humanity between humans are become of lower because domination countries. All the humans are equals from this manthra only we can oneness of all humans.

Talking about India., India is multicultural country the other countries ever had., Because we are welcoming all the tourists even tourist gods., See Muslim, Christians, to India., We have great remuneration between saints too. We got the manthra of :"Adithi devo Bava" "Sree Guruve Namaha" ., From this we can find that saints too become like a god. Because of their knowledge, speeches they given and etc., Look no one says that I am a god., We make them as a gods. Our India got a Big manpower so why we need a military para forces we are also a peace looking countries., We are maintaining our culture., India Got up to 9% growth what a recovery from past years and thanks to IT industries and our great brains like WIPRO, INFOSYS and etc.,

Answer 13

I am afraid this soft power has been pursued by us rather to a fault. We are made a 'soft target' by the enemies. Every time, they think of India, a smile of 'contempt' must be passing their mind. Other wise, how could you explain the audacity with which they took away a plane load of Indian passengers and released them after swapping some hard core extremists and purported ransom, killing and kicking off a newly married lad, in the mean time, as a pastime to kill their boredom. The Indians should no longer be taken in by this kind of platitudes. As you have said, we still suffer ignominy of poverty, communal violence, the worst kind of corruption and caste discrimination. In my view, we could be cured of all these ills only when shake of this 'soft' image. Subramanya Bharati said in his New Athisoodi in Tamil, as an advice to children, " Learn anger". I think that is the need of the hour.

Answer 14

1.Soft an hard both needed to be complementary to solve so many difficulties we are facing at present.
2.All round development in school education through study , cultural activity and sports , plus proper daily life planning is must that we lack.
3.Go back to Nature seems the most probable solution of all such situation.
4.Balanced diet in day time in each four hours, seven hours sleep at night only, avoiding late night, evening outdoor play etc. is also most essential in growing up.
5.Reading variety of books is necessary.

Answer 15

India's soft power can become its asset only and only when we are proud of ourselves first.We talk and write big stuff about our so called love of country but the fact is completely opposit.Look anywhere and you will see a sense of shame towards our identity,like in speaking our own language in restaurants and shops even if poor guy on other side is trying hard to oblige.So,the only way we can create identity now is to become powerful in all aspects including military, space etc and that will automatically bring a sense of pride in citizens.From here we can move to showcase our soft power status.

Answer 16

Will Pakistan be attracted by our soft power? what about China? this soft power can't fight the terrible terrorism we are facing today. Can it resolve the kasmir issue? suffering of people in the North and North-east is heart -rending.It has reached the highest office.
Let's start with the slogan 'simple living high thinking' once again. maybe the power it will generate, will make us rise once again.






Suffering of people in the North, in the North-east

Answer 17

India has had a glorious past and a wonderful history. It's cultures ,traditions and heritage is and will always remain it's USP. But isn't it time that Indians started doing something besides basking in the glory of their past to which they have never contributed. Or maybe they should try and recall their past, and give themselves a lesson or two in tolerance, religious harmony and and non violence instead of marketing them. Indians have commercialised everything Indian, starting from Ayurveda, yoga , basmati to the principles of non-violence and Satyagraha only to appeal to the western world. However it is only a handful of Indians who are truly Indian at heart.
Saying that Bollywood, Indian art, literature, fashion, and cuisine, the values of Ashoka, Akbar and Gandhi is India's soft power and should be instrumental in building a place for India on the global map would be a like turning a blind eye to the true India. An India where the rich are getting richer and the poor, poorer. An India where millions are deprived of basic amenities like shelter, food clothes, medicine and education till date. An India where the count of people living in a single slum outnumber the total population of Australia.
Bollywood paints a rosy picture of India to sell to the western world. However no Indian lives life in a Karan Johar movie, in the "Perfect World". For a country where people still don't have clothes to cover their bodies selling exobitantly priced Indian fashion wear in Paris will not benefit India or any Indian except maybe the individual designer.
The actual USP of India should be pacticing what it preaches. USP of India should be getting a hold on the population growth, ensuring a literacy rate of 100%, ensuring that there the tax payers money is used for the development of the country and not for building the account of corrupt policians, ensuring that incidents like the Gujarat never happen again, ensuring all sexes, races, and community live in a fear free country without being opressed or bullied. Trivialising these and a hundred other such issues and projecting India as a land of culture and heritage and glitz and glamour might help India earn some foreign exchange but India will still figure on the global map as a "developing country" and never a "developed country".

Answer 18

"How credible is our soft power in the face of poverty, communal violence, corruption and caste discrimination?"
Not credible ! Why are we still looking to the West for approval?Lets solve first the problems which you yourself have so clearly underlined.

Answer 19

The 'soft power' that India possesses is actually a liability rather than an asset, when viewed in developmental terms. Our obsession with aspects and products of our society that the outside world finds attractive has shifted our focus from the real issues that confront us as a nation - poverty, corruption, inflation, the yawning rich-poor divide etc. By glamourising Bollywood, Indian art, literature, fashion and cuisine, the values of Ashoka, Akbar and Gandhi, all we have succeeded in doing is derailing an already confused generation and the next. This has led to the misplaced social and economic aspirations of the Indian middle class, whose overwhelming desire to ape the rich is contrary to all that Gandhi propagated.

If at all this soft power is strengthening anyone, it is those hordes of westerners who, realising that the non-stop materialism of the West becomes self-defeating after a point of time, flock to India seeking to imbibe our values of life and spirituality. It is ironic that the very life skills our forefathers developed and imparted to us for the onward march of our civilization is today sought after by alien cultures to correct declines in their systems.

While sharing our cultural values with the outside world is not bad, it is the simultaneous decadence in our own social and economic sphere that needs to be addressed. As a nation, we must feel the urge to put an end to all roadblocks to progress, be it corruption or mindless consumerism. Instilling nation-building qualities among the youth to bridge the gap between rich and poor, put in place governing systems that reward honesty of effort, create jobs for educated youth and single-minded focus on taking the country forward is what will give us credibility as a nation, rather than soft or hard power.

A stirring example is Japan, post-World War II. A country in shambles was re-elevated to a position of greatness in a couple of decades only due to the amazing commitment of its people to take their country and their people forward once again. And don't forget, Japan has as rich a past and a culture to be proud of as India, if not more.

Answer 20

i think that our culture, living style, cuisine etc.will slowly becoming a greatest asset of our bcoz now a days u see many hollywood stars attracting to India which lead to tourism which become a source of income to our country.It will increase our national income,which tend to lower our poverty.
As it will a great source of knowledge so many become to have a professional degrees in our history ,culture,cuisine,fashion etc. which increase a higher educational level in India.How Long i go explain our India having soft as as it's greatest asset.

Answer 21

An Asia is largest continent in the world. my india strenth of power in world.

Answer 22

Indian cultural recipes has very deep rooted philosophies as ingredients.

In the context of the difficult phases through which this world is passing today, the strength of Indian culture seems to be the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. It is because there is no place for seeking peace through materialism in our culture. Ask any Indian and he turns philosophical when confronted with a question on peace and harmony.

The western civilizations over the centuries have lost the grip on religious related matters. They have considered this life to be the end of everything. So they have very vigorously been trying to make materialistic hay while the sun shines, ie till they are alive.

Since life is a mystery and needs to be understood in totality, soul being the most important part of it, the western world has, thus lost hold over spiritual matters.

India is by and large ignorant of the clever manueverings needed in practicing etiquettes of the western world. So it need not have pretentious overtures when it comes to money matters.

But the fact remains that we and particularly our elite have a hypocritical nature and they are the ones who take advantage of the situation and are hell bent upon projecting themselves as deserving people. But this lasts only for the short term. The reason, for our reality coming to exposure, is this only.

So it is a difficult order. First we shoud understand what actually is our strength, which is our ancient philosophy. We make a mess of it when we start mixing it up with materialism.

We should come clear on our presentations. We should not hide our intentions in getting the best out of this materialistic world, yet feel our strength in our spiritual legacy.

Answer 23

It’s is plain and simple – We must stop making fun of our weaknesses like ministers, corruption and rather focus on what we have – great spiritual masters, great saints and mahatamas who were learned, wise and enlightened. Make every Indian aware and literate about their inherent culture (spirituality and wisdom) let every Indian imbibe it within themselves; enlighten every one, let them feel proud of it such that they should themselves smell of this; then wherever they go they will carry these thoughts with them, spread it and will automatically inspire the world. Spread the awareness of our rich culture. Unfortunately, the generation that can actually make the impact i.e. youth is attracted towards the cultures of other countries, sadly so but they think this is what modernism is all about. The youth and educated today feel ashamed to know about our sanskriti and our saints and our culture but they feel very proud when they boast their knowledge about history of other countries. This is indeed sad that they choose to be ignorant about our own culture whereas it is the foreigners who come here in search of truth. Truth indeed is available everywhere but India is the most significant source rather the spiritual hub for the world.

Answer 24

The question is: How can India’s soft-power become its greatest asset? The soft-power here is defined as the capability to attract others by its culture.

The pre-requisite for answering above, we need to know: What is culture, and in what is its capability for attracting others?

Culture’s definition is – the activities done for realizing completeness. (Sanskriti = poornata ke arth mein kee gayee kritiyan ya kriyakalaap)

Such culture’s capability for attracting others is due to the inherent desire in every human being to seek completeness. The others are attracted to emulate those activities, and go to their basis. This is a very strong power – because its reach is the whole mankind.

The ‘soft power’ would not work in the same framework as ‘hard power’. The ‘hard power’ is based on a country’s military strength or money – which have nothing to do with the definition of culture described above. Military strength of a country causes fear – and is no reason for attracting anyone. Money or richness of a country attracts people out of greed. When we see culture also in the same framework – we are essentially looking for ways of ‘selling’ our so-called culture to earn dollars - putting it bluntly. Culture then becomes for cashing the glories of the past or for stimulating the senses – which get translated to spinning stories for glossy airplane magazines, Discovery channel documentaries, fully booked hotels in exotic locales in Rajasthan, busy international airports, bigger and bigger Bollywood movies, etc. These things will not have anything to do with the real definition of culture described above. Even if India succeeds in ‘selling’ these things – will it really matter? If India succeeds in asserting such soft-power – would it be a permanent solution, or a temporary one? What happens when people get tired of the same curry dish? Wouldn’t this selective show-casing of India be a demonstration of vile duality? (which you have identified as an issue of credibility for our sales pitch)

Do we want to realize ‘real culture’ in ourselves, and in our country – or do we want to be seen as ‘cultured’ by others, and beg for their lose change? Would the ‘real culture’ be limited to a country, or would it be universal?

Going back to Culture’s real definition - the activities done for realizing completeness. (Sanskriti = poornata ke arth mein kee gayee kritiyan ya kriyakalaap)

Completeness for a human being is to realize ‘Humanity’. The basis for Humanity is understanding of existence expressed as coexistence. This is called samajhdari. A human being has to accomplish samajhdari to be able to realize humanity. The true characteristic of a human being - or humanity - hasn’t been recognized in human history thus far. The two major schools of thoughts – Religion and Science – have failed in identifying the basis of Humanity. Both Religion and Science – have not been able to identify the essential distinguishing line between a human-being and an animal. This distinguishing line has been identified by Jeevan Vidya or Madhyasth Darshan (details in the Sources section), which identifies human-being as an entity of gyaan-avastha – one in which the understanding can get realized.

Samajhdari is under three headings –
1. Understanding of existence expressed as coexistence. (saha-astitva darshan gyaan)
2. Understanding of life (jeevan gyaan)
3. Understanding of humane conduct (manviyata purna acharan gyaan)

Samajhdari is needed in human for realizing truly humane conduct (humanity) in a spontaneous manner. Humanity is the first level of completeness in a human. The activities done for realizing this completeness is culture – which has tremendous power which has not been truly realized in human history, ever.

These activities would be in the form of realizing values - such as trust, gratitude, affection, love, respect - in human relationships and in the form of realizing harmony in relationship with Nature at large.

These activities would be in the form of realizing human goals of Solution, Prosperity, Fearlessness, and Coexistence.

These activities would be inclusive and without struggle.

These activities would not be a show, but a real expression.

These activities would not be limited to boundaries of a nation – but would give a basis for forming universal and undivided society.

These activities would not be for building exclusiveness or individualism – but for good of all (sarva-shubh).

These activities would be form the real basis of human-civilization (sabhyata). Human civilization and Culture has intimate connection with Human Law (Vidhi). The Human Law would define what is right for a human - as against the present situation when the Law is essentially negative, stating what one should not do. Culture, Civilization, and Law are reflected in all human systems - namely - Judiciary, Education, Health, Production, and Exchange. In this way, the understanding of existence that got realized in human being gets incorporated in all aspects of human living.

These activities – or culture - is the only way of becoming free of walls of mine and not-mine between peoples, and the way for becoming free from mentality of criminality - in true sense.

There can be a dialogue at this point - whether recognition of true human culture is needed or not for becoming free from criminal mentality and walls of mine and not-mine?

Whether recognition of true human culture is needed or not for realizing an undivided human society with values in human relationships?

If yes, what *real* proposal or basis do we have for that?

If no, whatever we are doing presently - is alright.

Realizing this definition of Culture would be really conflict-free and credible. This will win the hearts and minds of people across the world – not for earning profit from them – but by their emulating this model of culture. The true culture is the tremendous power – which can bring the whole mankind together. Realizing the true culture on Earth is the only way for coming out of the present negative cycle of self-destruction.

UNO is the best suited organization - with its resources and presence across all countries - to address the issue of human-culture and human-education.

This answer is based on Jeevan Vidya, Madhyasth Darshan – as propounded by Shri A Nagaraj Sharma, Amarkantak – India.

Source(s):

Jeevan Vidya, Madhyasth Darshan, Saha-astitva-vaad

A Nagaraj Sharma – the propounder of this philosophy – was born in 1920, in a small village called Agrahar in the Hasan district of Karnataka (India), in a family of renowned Vedic scholars. From an early age, questions arose in his mind – both regarding some logical inconsistencies within the Vedanta philosophy, and the inequalities present in the traditional Hindu way of life. Although his teachers and elders were unable to provide him with satisfactory answers, they suggested that he would find his answers in the state of Samadhi (the culmination of the practice of absolute concentration). He went to Amarkantak (Madhya Pradesh) in 1950 to work towards the attainment of this state. He attained Samadhi in 1970, only to realize that no answers emerged in this state. He then went on to practice an improvised version of Sanyam (a meditative step beyond Samadhi). It was during this state that he realized the inherent order of the Universe. Saha-Astitvavaad is an elucidation of this insight. He has also documented the entire philosophy as a set of ten books which are in Hindi. Over the past decade a wide spectrum of people have been introduced to these ideas – students and teachers of some premier educational institutions in India, social activists, rural and urban audiences, working men and women, housewives – and it has met with strong acceptance amongst most of them. He lives with his family at Amarkantak, MP - as a living proof of this knowledge.

prof ganesh bagaria - HBTI, Kanpur, [e-mail]
shri pawan gupta - director, Society for Integrated Development of Himalayas (SIDH), Mussoorie - [e-mail]
shri anjani agarwal - sanchalak, abhyuday sansthan, achhoti, raipur
shri a nagraj sharma - amarkantak

typically the introduction to this proposal is done through a week long workshop - the details of which can be obtained from the above links.

Note: The above presentation is from my capacity as a student of this proposal.

Answer 25

Culture is a very broad term. A lot of people who obviously are ignorant, use this term "culture" to mean both "culture" and "civilisation" (or maybe one of them). Culture is intangible where as civilisation is quite tangible in my opinion.
For example the art,music and spiritual heritage of India (the non-material stuff) constitutes its culture where as civilisation is more specific, like for ex a survey on "the changes in Indian home-cooked food , would according to me form part of civilisation ie the material - tangible stuff.
NOW what does tharoor EXACTLY mean is quite unclear to me.. also i think he is mixing up both terms (culture n civilisation)

Source(s):

Iam an original...ha haaaaaa

Answer 26

India should market the so called 'soft power' in attractive packages, to attract the wealthy westeners and other knowledgeable people of the world. The following packages are recommended, but the list is not exhaustive :
1. Occult knowledge -- indian astrology, palmistry etc.
2. Sanskrit and the vedas
3. Indian Cuisines like dosas, wada pav, tandoori etc.
4. Gandhism and his principles of non violence to achieve independence
5. Vegetarianism
6. Yoga -- different types like hatha yoga, raj yoga, mantra yoga etc.
7. Massage therapies (from kerala)
8. Ayurveda for chronic and other disease and problems
9. Indian dances and fine arts like bharathnatyam, kuchipudi etc. etc.
However India should address the problems faced by it today like overpopulation, poverty and unemployment.
It should root out corruption atleast from govt. offices, emergency services and public utility offices.
There should be substantial improvement in basic infrastructure, transport, accomodation, hotels, hospitals etc. We should make the atmosphere tourist friendly. There should be signs and posters that we are welcoming the tourists with a open heart and arms. Special branch of police should be created to be sensitive to the need of foreign tourist and provide help in case they are cheated or become targets of communal violence or terrorism.

Answer 27

As much as the soft power seem to have become more important and appreciation-worthy for the world, the bottom line is what has it achieved to make a common citizen's life happier. I guess for all talk (most of them vaintalk by the Page 3 gliteratti), the so called power has done nothing conspicous at the grassroot levels. Like they say, the golden rule is "the person with gold sets the rule". Unless we have all the other associated power, we can't dream of being a superpower. I stress we should have that too - unlike the western societies which thinks might is right . We have to necessary have all the soft power but without the hard power, no one would sit up and take note. (here hard power = IT or ITES or Manufacturing sectors too which has made India noteworthy today). For a Page 3 person like you who live in the glasshouse, nothing is credible till some drunken spoilt branks empties his magazine into the skull of some society girl. So let's cut this nonsense about the credibility part. It is people like you who run down the country and not any of the inherent powers it has. Therefore your question itself is a paradox. On one hand you claim it is a world beater and towards the end, the writer in you fantasized into questioning the credibility of your own first line. If you have the money, you will get the honey - or else sit and twiddle your thumbs and keep worrying if soft power is worth it, is it credible.
But it is there for us to see, that acquisition of brute power is not enough (you just end up being just that - a BRUTE - with no brains to harness the strenghts). But without strength let us not talk about how to use it.

Answer 28

its not a matter of time it was always there but now only it has been realied as one ...

so its matter of time which we took in recoginizing it

Answer 29

Mr. Tharoor to answer your question, in todays world so much money is poured into eradicating poverty, violence and diseases and we are not way closer to solving these solutions. then we were yesterday... So something is really missing isnt it? And that is not money or govt support or the infrastructure then what is it?

As far as Indians are concerned, we needed non-Indians to show the world our greatness... We needed Mother Theresa to show us a path to helping poor or Richard Attenborough to throw light on Mahatmas greatness or Edmund Hilary to scale our sacred mountains.....

-Indian heritage stresses the value of social service, selfless ness, sharing.
-Indian heritage stresses the value of motherhood and encourages a woman to be a "mother" not just to her own but to all mankind. If a woman takes it as her personal responsibilty (at least in though initially) for all the hungry children of the world, will she ever let them go to bed hungry?
-Women in India have lost that spirit - they are now living just for their own son and daughter.... we need to change that attitude
-India used to be a land of self sufficient villages and each village connected to the other to form self sufficient larger communities. We need to reinforce this practice and invest our time and money to make these villages self sufficient - if villages become self sufficient, migration to cities will reduce

The ways to really solve poverty in using our heritage and culture as an advantage is probably do the following:

1. WE NEED A NATIONAL MOMENTUM - AND IT HAS TO BE DONE BY THE URBAN WORKING MIDDLE CLASS - WHO WILL GO TO EXTREMES TO REDUCE CORRUPTION AND POVERTY.
1. ACTIVE PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AT LOCAL LEVELS.

1. Poverty off the streets: Encourage young couples to adopt an orphan child before having a child of their own. Local NGO's should be made responsible to ensure that these adpoted children are being treated with love and care, and not used as "servants" in the guise of "an adopted child". This will reduce the number of street children - eventually reducing prostitution, AIDS, child labor etc. By taking poor children off the streets we increase the chances of imparting education and making these children a dependable member of the society.

We have seen many a social service scheme fail poorly (the noon meal scheme promoted by state govts is nothing but a sham)
We should encourge local citizens to take active part in the community and the local schools. Like the Western society, we should encourge stay at home mothers to volunteer in the local community by actively participating in community issues. They should have a "say" in what happens at the local govt funded organizations (any form). Public participation will increase visibility to how public funds are appropriated and make the politicians and local authorities responsible as to how they make use of public money. Apart from reducing corruption, it also ensures that money reaches the hands that it was intended to.

2. Communal violence: Indians are fully aware of what is happening to religions around the world. Westerners are taking a deep interest in Yoga and Vedas. We on the other hand indulge and promote communal violence for political and religious gains. Schools should promote the teachings of vedas, yoga and philosophy from a education point of view and not from a religious point of view. We should identify pockets of religious areas where young Indian girls still do not attend school and encourge them to learn. Our education system focuses on making our children doctors or engineers... but that is not all to life is it? Education should focus in arts, sports, media, culture... when children have a great understanding of their great cultural heritage, they will not indulge in communal violence but learn to accept and negotiate.

3. Corruption: I talk about this in all my answers... We can eliminate corruption if we are willing to sacrifice and forego comforts.... but are we? Even fasting for good causes has become a sham these days!
-If people are willing to go without electricity but refuse to pay bribe to the local power supply for connection - then we can eliminate bribery.
-If builders refuse to pay bribe to the local civic guys for sewage connection, water connection, land approval, building approval , and convince their buyers and tell them the real scenario - they we can eliminate corruption
-If train passengers are willing not to pay the ticket collectors rs.20 or rs. 100 to confirm an empty seat and are willing to miss the train - we can eliminate corruption
-When the passengers on trains and buses refuse to patrnoize hawkers (who are allowed to sell in trains, and buses and bus stands because they bribed the police and local constables) - we can eliminate corruption
-When children refuse to study in colleges because their parents got them the "coveted" medical seat by paying donations to the college administration - we can eliminate corruption.
-When movie stars refuse to sign on acting in movies that are funded by corrupt and terrorist money - we can eliminate corruption
-When a scooter driver refuses to pay the traffic constable "bribe" because he was caught not wearing a helmet, or crossing a red light but is willing to go to court and get penalized - we can eliminate corruption.
-When children of rich people wait in queues along with ordinary people at the local DMV for getting a drivers licence - we can eliminate corrupution.
-Even after running from pillar to post and if a man is not able to clear his goods got from foreign country and still refuses to pay bribe to the clerk in customs but is willing to forego all the goods he brought - we can eliminate corruption.
-A man who had made enough money, should still be willing to wait for his turn for his rights, instead of using his "money" as a ticket to get things done faster for his family - we can eliminate corruption.

Corruption is not high level or low level. It is in the way we live and it is a part of our lives... and we encourage it.. You are a part of this system Sir!!!! You know how hard it is for Indians to live by even for basic necessities....
-Women in public service and govt offices should not bend the rules to their advantage but live b y the rules like their male counterparts - we can eliminate corruption.

We need people to come forward and make pledges and show us how they endured the corrupt process (but never let go of their policies) because they refused to pay bribe. We need to make this a national goal / a national momentum - if we do this without the interference of politicians and movie stars - then we are ready to be redeemed.

4. Caste discrimination: Ha! Arent we encouraging caste discrimination? The common man is ready to shed all this and is willing to go forward. Children of modern India are willing to marry into other castes, are willing to throw rituals and caste and seek friendship from others -
-We need to encourage multi racial and multi religious families.
-We need to make national heroes of men and women who marry from other communities, but still maintain their religious identity (Christians and Muslims marrying Hindus should not force the Hindu to convert or vice versa but encourage two religious beliefs - this is the ultimate communal harmony that will slowly eliminate caste discrimination)

Answer 30

we should create awareness among uneducated people and we should not look other country's culture.

Answer 31

good day sir
Due to globalisation our country's youth have changed,they don't give any importance to their culture,rather they are adopting the western culture.slowly slowly our colourful culture is losing its importance.

we should change the thinking that even we wear the Desi clothes we can compete with the world market.

we shouldn't be the copy cat what others our wearing we should wear or what they are doing we should do,that its there culture and they do it but our culture is ours.
ours country's youth should understand what India means and what is its importance.