An alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad, Dheeraj Sharma brings an academic lens to the essence of Indian democracy. He explains how allowing space for diverse voices has led to a more inclusive, tolerant, and progressive nation. His message urges mindful engagement with the country’s journey.
00:00Ladies and gentlemen, this is a beautiful country where you can descend, where you can come on the road.
00:08This is the only country that I know of in this region particularly, maybe in the US, maybe in the Europe,
00:13there are a handful of countries like that where the government provides a place to descend.
00:20Ramlila Meidan, you can book it for protest. Officially you can book it for protest.
00:25Azad Meidan in Mumbai, you can officially book it for protest.
00:30This is the beauty of our nation.
00:32Today, we are witnessing more and more students breaking the bars of casteism.
00:43People don't talk about casteism, at least that I know of in the mainstream, maybe in the rural areas they still do.
00:51There is a progression of startups. In my time, you know, the choices were limited.
00:57Today, I hear students talking about startups, which means the nation has been able to provide them a facilitating environment to at least think in that direction.
01:06Passport was a celebration in cities that I got a passport.
01:09Today, getting a passport, tatkal, three days, four days, normally one month.
01:18Number of people who are pursuing advanced degrees, significantly high.
01:24This country is sending satellites, which other countries cannot even imagine.
01:33I believe we have just broken the world record in terms of sending satellites to them.
01:38It's an incredible achievement.
01:40Back in the 80s, I remember India playing Pakistan.
01:50Six out of ten matches we were losing, or maybe seven out of ten.
01:57Because there was no aggression.
01:59When I see Kohli today, he represents the new generation.
02:02You can't put him down.
02:04You cannot put him down.
02:06He will come back.
02:08You cannot put Dhoni down.
02:09I mean, they'll come back.
02:10I mean, just watch some of the matches of the 1980s.
02:15Gavaskar out, entire team out.
02:18Tendulkar out, entire team out.
02:21We have moved beyond that one-person reliance to a team effort.
02:25And we're doing incredibly well.
02:28Now, we may not have won very many medals.
02:30But look at our performances in the last Olympics.
02:33So many in the top five.
02:35So many number fours.
02:36We'll do better.
02:38In terms of economic progress, this is the only bright spot in the world.
02:43Growing at 7%.
02:44And this is possibly the only country, which I know of,
02:51which has all major religious holidays celebrated.
02:55My students were saying,
03:01Narayat Tadbir, Allahu Akbar, with the same ferocity as they were saying,
03:05Har Har Manade.
03:08My students are a representation of this nation.
03:14So what I submit to you,
03:17finally, in conclusion,
03:20ladies and gentlemen,
03:21occasionally,
03:22stop and celebrate.
03:26Criticize all the time.
03:29Criticize all the time.
03:30Critic is required.
03:32But occasionally,
03:33stop and celebrate the beauty of this nation.
