I saw the phoenix last weekend
I saw a phoenix last weekend (14-17th April2006). No iam not joking. Neither am I dreaming.
Ja (sounds German !!!)
If a bird which destroyed itself in the fire and re-surrected itself again from its own ashes, so much so that, its more powerful than it once was, so has the city of Berlin. Yes Iam referring to the city of Berlin. When I read about the city of Berlin the only simile/Metaphor which comes to mind is Phoenix. Just a coincidence, we went to Berlin on the Easter weekend, when the son of god Jesus was also resurrected !
This city , as everyone knows , was completely destroyed , or shall we say raised to the ground after the World War II. Not just this, there was more in store for it , in way of humiliation by the world powers, the city itself was divided into east and west Berlin.
The beautiful city had a scar left on its face by the communist Russia, in the form of a wall. Berlin had become an arena for the powers that be to show-off their power, the dirty and dangerous games of Cold war was played out right here The powerful leaders made sure each one of them had a moment of fame , at the cost of the city and a nation in turn
Well the worst is past and the Berlin of today is a beautiful city (with no scars, erased by the strong determination of the Berliners)
The German nation has seen great changes politically since the later half of 19th century when it was monarchy, (the schloss Charlotten Burg Palace bears testimony for this) The Kaiser/King abdicated in 1918 after the WWI , then the formation of the republic (most inefficient at the best) then the rise of the most infamous third Reich lead by the demonic Adolf Hitler. As the saying goes when things have to go wrong the most unexpected can also happen, imagine a person who is not even a citizen of a country taking the whole country on a ride and becoming its dictator. There are still so many reminders in Berlin which bear a testimony to the evils of this period for instance the site of Jewish book burning, the remains of the bombed basilica, etc., . The evil was conquered .But the travails of the city do not end here. It was to become a playground for the world powers to display their might and gain grey points. The various places like Check point Charlie, the War memorials, the memory of the Berlin wall, (small pieces supposedly from the original wall, still being sold as souvenirs ) bear witness to the this.
As it always happens, I again started comparing the resurgence of Berlin (in effect Germany) to India. Berlin began its journey for development in 1945. Before that it was raised to ground and its control was also in foreign hands. Its journey was marred by the cold war effects. Whereas India gained independence from the tyrannical rule of Britain in 1947. Its resources exploited to the hilt. India’s journey was also marred by ill effects. not the making of foreigners (is it still so !!!) But by its own sons /daughters.
The selfish politicians, the all pervading (!!!) corruption and all.
Yes both Berlin (Germany by extension) and India have made progress. But the main difference lies in the stage to which each has become self-sufficient. How each one has increased the quality of life for its citizens and above all the international standing each one commands.
I could see one very important difference between both the places. That is the attitude of the people. (Please pardon me , if I have used the wrong word) In Germany the individual efforts were all in the direction of nation building, overcoming the humiliation meted out to it, by way of building a strong nation. Where as in India the individual efforts are more focussed on self development and development of my community, my caste, my family, myself. (may not be true for everyone, Of course there are concerted efforts at nation building in India also, But lack the commitment, I feel)
If we as Indians accept and implement the vision of our president Mr Abdul kalam for building a strong nation by contributing our every bit of effort , however small it may be, may be we can surpass Germany in the development.
May be I have been a bit too loud in saying what I said, but this is what I felt, when I visited Berlin.
Berlin forces you to think ……
By the way before I signoff, I remember one slogan, which the German govt has coined for promoting Germany during the upcoming Soccer world cup… ‘Germany: The Land of Ideas’
Get ideas…..
-Sandeep Kulkarni
Ja (sounds German !!!)
If a bird which destroyed itself in the fire and re-surrected itself again from its own ashes, so much so that, its more powerful than it once was, so has the city of Berlin. Yes Iam referring to the city of Berlin. When I read about the city of Berlin the only simile/Metaphor which comes to mind is Phoenix. Just a coincidence, we went to Berlin on the Easter weekend, when the son of god Jesus was also resurrected !
This city , as everyone knows , was completely destroyed , or shall we say raised to the ground after the World War II. Not just this, there was more in store for it , in way of humiliation by the world powers, the city itself was divided into east and west Berlin.
The beautiful city had a scar left on its face by the communist Russia, in the form of a wall. Berlin had become an arena for the powers that be to show-off their power, the dirty and dangerous games of Cold war was played out right here The powerful leaders made sure each one of them had a moment of fame , at the cost of the city and a nation in turn
Well the worst is past and the Berlin of today is a beautiful city (with no scars, erased by the strong determination of the Berliners)
The German nation has seen great changes politically since the later half of 19th century when it was monarchy, (the schloss Charlotten Burg Palace bears testimony for this) The Kaiser/King abdicated in 1918 after the WWI , then the formation of the republic (most inefficient at the best) then the rise of the most infamous third Reich lead by the demonic Adolf Hitler. As the saying goes when things have to go wrong the most unexpected can also happen, imagine a person who is not even a citizen of a country taking the whole country on a ride and becoming its dictator. There are still so many reminders in Berlin which bear a testimony to the evils of this period for instance the site of Jewish book burning, the remains of the bombed basilica, etc., . The evil was conquered .But the travails of the city do not end here. It was to become a playground for the world powers to display their might and gain grey points. The various places like Check point Charlie, the War memorials, the memory of the Berlin wall, (small pieces supposedly from the original wall, still being sold as souvenirs ) bear witness to the this.
As it always happens, I again started comparing the resurgence of Berlin (in effect Germany) to India. Berlin began its journey for development in 1945. Before that it was raised to ground and its control was also in foreign hands. Its journey was marred by the cold war effects. Whereas India gained independence from the tyrannical rule of Britain in 1947. Its resources exploited to the hilt. India’s journey was also marred by ill effects. not the making of foreigners (is it still so !!!) But by its own sons /daughters.
The selfish politicians, the all pervading (!!!) corruption and all.
Yes both Berlin (Germany by extension) and India have made progress. But the main difference lies in the stage to which each has become self-sufficient. How each one has increased the quality of life for its citizens and above all the international standing each one commands.
I could see one very important difference between both the places. That is the attitude of the people. (Please pardon me , if I have used the wrong word) In Germany the individual efforts were all in the direction of nation building, overcoming the humiliation meted out to it, by way of building a strong nation. Where as in India the individual efforts are more focussed on self development and development of my community, my caste, my family, myself. (may not be true for everyone, Of course there are concerted efforts at nation building in India also, But lack the commitment, I feel)
If we as Indians accept and implement the vision of our president Mr Abdul kalam for building a strong nation by contributing our every bit of effort , however small it may be, may be we can surpass Germany in the development.
May be I have been a bit too loud in saying what I said, but this is what I felt, when I visited Berlin.
Berlin forces you to think ……
By the way before I signoff, I remember one slogan, which the German govt has coined for promoting Germany during the upcoming Soccer world cup… ‘Germany: The Land of Ideas’
Get ideas…..
-Sandeep Kulkarni
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