Imagining Pakistan
In his brilliant book, Imagining India, author Nanda Nilekani, an intellectual-turned-entrepreneur, has presented a fascinating picture of India in the process of becoming a major superpower by the second-half of the 21 st century. Nilekani founded Infosys, India’s largest software company, on a shoestring capital of two hundred and fifty dollars. It is ranked among the most powerful high-tech multinational corporations in the global arena.
An author like Nilekani does not exist in Pakistan and unlikely to do so far into the future. Many of the ideas discussed by the author would be alien to a writer from the Islamic Republic.
The author is full of hope for India and expects it to emerge out of confusion and turmoil as the lives of the ordinary citizens improves with evolving economic strength. This is a truly remarkable book, written by a visionary man, who sees India as a land of promise for the future.
The book is mostly about ideas that may bring changes for the betterment of the nation. It is also about economic development that has taken root and is propelling the country forward. Indeed, the book is sub-titled: Ideas for the 21 st century. These ideas were generated globally though applied mostly in India.
Every political figure in Pakistan ought to read Nilekani’s captivating book from cover to cover. Unfortunately, none of them will, perhaps some grudgingly. In Pakistani political culture politicians have very little interest in reading owing to the lack of aptitude or skills. Some are simply illiterate or close to it. Then they are those who believe that reading is a sheer waste of time.
In America busy political leaders like Barack Obama thrive on books, magazines and newspapers on top of reports, and everything else that they do. It is said that Bill Clinton read a book a week besides mountains of articles, reports and briefing papers. Both of these men read the best-sellers that carried novel ideas.
Pakistani culture in general does not welcome ideas or new perspectives that deviate from the accepted norms. Perhaps that is due to the antiquated educational system where students are neither exposed to ideas nor are ideas subjected to scrutiny and analysis. Pakistani universities are not the marketplace of ideas in the manner of the American institution of higher learning. Instead, educational institutions at all levels are founded on the principle of rote memorization for the purpose of taking exams.
India on the other hand has made a breakthrough in introducing liberal arts training at many universities that integrates disparate disciplines so that issues can be seen in new light. The result is achievements in many fields of human endeavor and the merging of entrepreneurial and intellectual skills that has produced the likes of Infosys and innovative individuals like Nanda Nilekani.
Rote memorization is unlikely to result in innovation or creative knowledge. It definitely will not produce novel economic, political or social dynamics that lead to the betterment of society. Ideas spawned at universities are being applied in the marketplace which is making India advance rapidly. No such thing is in evidence in Pakistan.
India is in the process of creating the world’s largest economic infrastructure through the free market resource allocation system. When all the components are in place and functioning properly it will make India the world’s most powerful nation. The recent national elections have already demonstrated that India has firmly established the world’s largest democratic political state.
More people turned out to vote in India than the entire population of the United States, Britain and Canada combined. It has outdone the Anglo-Saxons at their own game. To many observers that represents a remarkable achievement.
What about Pakistan? How can we imagine Pakistan of the future? Certainly not like India but one of violence and conflict at every level. After all every mullah’s interpretation of Islam is right and that person has the divine mandate to enforce his beliefs on others through the force of arms. He has a right to a private army and to set up a competing state. Such dogma of mullah’ism is widespread.
In light of what has transpired during the past few decades it is hard to imagine Pakistan as anything but a failed state. It will remain so far into the future in comparison with India. It is a country where excellence in leadership has been obliterated and that quality has neither been demanded nor received. Pakistan’s salvation will come when it acquires an exclusive monopoly on the exercise of force and has a centralized authority to imposing its will everywhere inside its borders.
But most of all Pakistan needs men and women of vision (like Nilekani) in leadership positions from education, industry, technology, economy to politics. These elements may initiate a turnaround though with a little providential guidance.
