Another Milestone on the Way to Globalization
First there was Dalip Singh Saund, the first Indian-American elected to the US Congress from California in 1956; he was
followed fifty-one years later by Bobby Jindal, a 36 year-old Republican elected this year to the post of Governor of
Louisiana, a conservative American state. Now it is 52 year-old Renu Khator to reach the top position of President of
Houston University on November 5, 2007. This, in my opinion, is another milestone on the way to true globalization. It
is a great event worthy of special attention as it is recognition by American academia of the services of an immigrant
Indian.
In fact, it is the maturity of democratic institutions, which play the vital role in creating a sustainable culture of
globalization and peace. Without any doubt, the democratic institutions in the Untied States have taken a lead in this
regard, as evident from recent events which reflect their commitment towards tolerance and acceptability-the two chief
features behind the success of democracy.
While praising the maturity of the United States’ democratic institutions, I would like to reiterate that this is also a
lesson for the people around the world in general and India in particular which is a country of composite cultures, and
where thousands of years ago the unique slogan of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam [Whole World Is But One Family] was raised. For
though India’s democratic roots run extremely deep, due to vested interests some of its people often walk in the
opposite direction from the path of true globalization.
Dr. Ravindra Kumar is a universally renowned Gandhian scholar, Indologist and writer. He is the Former Vice-Chancellor
of the University of Meerut, India and the author of the book entitled, ‘Theory and Practice of Gandhian Non-Violence’.
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