My new roommate is originally from Mumbai, and as a result,
I am having a great deal of fun learning about India and Indian culture. It might seem counter-intuitive; go to China….learn
about India, but life is funny like that sometimes. And the timing couldn't be better considering
all the interesting things going on in that country.
Elections – The world’s largest democracy is going to the
polls. Mountbatten and the British might
have taken a lot with them when they left in 47, but the Westminster system
remains. It has been pretty cool having
someone who knows the details about the Indian political system, especially
considering the ceaseless coverage by the BBC.
The outcome of this election will have a significant and long-term
impact on Indian politics, especially considering the troubles of the Indian
National Congress and the rise of the anti-corruption party. It will also have a significant impact on
Sino-Indian relations. India is due to
surpass China as the world’s most populous nation in the near future, and
despite their strange and often strained relationship, not one Chinese person
that I have talked to seems to know that the two countries fought a war in
1962. This is especially interesting
considering China won the war.
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| Google "India Cricket" and you'll likely get a photo of Sachin Tendulkar. I think this is him..... |
Cricket – The Indian Premier League began earlier this week,
and from what I understand, the real drama takes place of the field. Most of the owners in this league make Jerry
Jones and Mark Cuban look like passive observers, and as a result, the league’s
one month (that is right....it only lasts one month) season tends to have the
atmosphere of a carnival. Due to the
elections, the first matches were held in Dubai this year. Though the world’s second most popular sport
remains an enigma to most of us in the United States (they literally break for
tea during international test matches....hilarious), it continues to boom in the
Commonwealth and is growing in popularity as mainland China experiences Hong
Kong-ization. My roommate is a fan of the Mumbai Indians, and despite my jibes about having the world's least inventive mascot, he is very excited about this season.
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| IPL Clubs |
Economic Growth – Beijing is famous for its smog…..but it
has a new challenger for the title of smoggiest capital. New Delhi’s population is emblematic of the
country’s rapid industrialization. While
the Chinese are betting on Commonwealth Africa becoming the next “workshop of
the world” many others are betting on India.
The economic fortunes of India and China seemed intertwined as rising
wages and slowing economic growth are forcing manufacturers to look outside
China for the next “gold rush” economy.
Both countries are also going through military build-ups with China’s
love affair with its first carrier and India continuing its program of naval “indigenization”.
I have always found the sub-continent fascinating,
especially considering its different approach to plurality from the United
States. For example, different religions
are governed by different laws in some cases.
India’s complicated relationship with China has only made it more
interesting to me during my time in Beijing.
Then again, what nation on earth doesn't have a complicated relationship
with Beijing? The interesting people you
meet in Beijing really help put the world in perspective, and I have learned a
great deal about many of the other lao weis’ homes during my time here. It just shows that a good cultural exchange
doesn't always have to be between your home country and the nation you are
living.
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