Politics Divides, Progress Unites
I normally avoid writing on political issues because they tend to become deeply divisive. The moment one expresses an opinion, people are quick to label and align that person with one political camp or another. Once that happens, reason, logic, and facts often take a back seat.
Politics has often been described as a cesspool, but when attempts are made to spread that cesspool across the entire nation by fuelling unrest and discord, remaining a silent spectator is perhaps the least responsible option.
In recent years, we have witnessed political and economic instability in some of our neighbouring countries, including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal. There are concerns that similar attempts are being made to provoke unrest in India, particularly by mobilising young people (read Gen Z) in the name of social causes.
It's now a fact that foreign-funded groups and vested interests sometimes seek to exploit genuine public grievances, encourage protests to turn violent, and create an atmosphere of instability that serves geopolitical interests rather than the welfare of India.
After suffering repeated electoral setbacks, the opposition has, in my view, struggled to regain the confidence of the electorate. Instead of relying solely on the democratic mandate, there appears to be an increasing tendency to convert every public issue into a nationwide political confrontation. In a country as large as India, mobilising a few thousand people for demonstrations is never difficult. Political organisations know how to attract crowds, amplify emotions, and sustain public agitations.
The recent protests over the NEET-UG paper leak illustrate how quickly a legitimate concern affecting students can acquire a larger political dimension. Various activists, organisations, and political parties joined the movement, each bringing their own agendas.
What began as a demand for accountability gradually witnessed slogans and narratives extending far beyond the original issue. Such developments raise important questions about whether every public grievance should become a battleground for political rivalry.
Unfortunately, prolonged confrontations often result in clashes between protesters and the police. The greatest sufferers are usually ordinary citizens, students, and police personnel performing their duties.
Selectively edited videos and partisan narratives, whether from domestic or foreign platforms, can further distort public perception, showing only fragments of events while omitting the circumstances that preceded them. In today's age of social media, incomplete information frequently travels faster than the complete truth.
It is also worth reflecting on the priorities of many political leaders. While they frequently criticise the state of the nation, many choose to educate or settle their own children abroad in pursuit of better opportunities.
Constructive criticism is essential in any democracy, but constantly portraying India in a negative light while overlooking its progress creates an unbalanced narrative that does little to strengthen national confidence.
National unity becomes especially important when India's interests are questioned internationally.
Political differences are natural in a democracy, but when external leaders make disparaging remarks about India or its economy, one would expect all political voices to stand united in defending the nation's dignity. Healthy political competition should never come at the cost of national self-respect.
Over the past month, while sections of both the local and foreign media devoted extensive coverage to protests and political controversies, several remarkable achievements received comparatively little public attention. Among them were:
DRDO's successful demonstrations of advanced missile defence and indigenous anti-ship missile technologies.
The commissioning of the first batch of women NDA cadets into the Armed Forces.
DRDO's successful flight-tests of the indigenous Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM).
Record defence production crossing ₹1.78 lakh crore.
Major milestones in the indigenous C-295 aircraft programme.
Commissioning of three indigenously built naval warships.
ISRO's successful semi-cryogenic engine hot test and expansion of space infrastructure.
India's nuclear heat-based hydrogen production facility at Kalpakkam.
Indigenous innovations in AI cooling technologies and electric motors.
Vimag Labs secures its 5th Indian patent for its rare-earth-free electric motor.
Commissioning of INS Mahendragiri, built with around 75% indigenous content.
India securing the top position in the International Physics Olympiad with five gold medals.
Opening of India's first barrier-free satellite toll expressway between Lucknow and Kanpur.
Successful field trials of indigenous Quantum Key Distribution technology.
Flagging off of India's first indigenous hydrogen-powered passenger train.
Skyroot Aerospace's successful launch of Vikram-1, India's first privately developed orbital-class rocket, led largely by a young team with average age of 28.
India securing the top position in the International Chemistry Olympiad with four gold medals and outstanding performance at the International Biology Olympiad.
These achievements reflect the dedication of our scientists, engineers, armed forces, researchers, entrepreneurs, and students. Progress continues every single day, even if it does not always dominate the news cycle. If our only objective is to criticise the government, we may unintentionally overlook accomplishments that belong not to any political party but to the nation itself.
The real question, therefore, is not whether India is progressing; the evidence suggests that it is. The more important question is why stories of innovation, scientific excellence, infrastructure, and national achievement so often receive less attention than conflict and controversy. When will we all discard Brown Sepoy syndrome and talk about our achievements with Pride?
A mature democracy requires both accountability and appreciation. We must question where necessary, applaud where deserved, and ensure that political differences never overshadow our collective pride in India's achievements. Patriotism does not demand blind agreement with any government; it calls upon us to place the nation's interests above partisan loyalties and to celebrate every success that strengthens India's future.
