26 August 2011

Keeping order in India

India has a population of one billion people. All the problems of poverty and unemployment we face here in the UK are magnified many times over in India, yet you rarely see the kind of riots we witnessed this month.

The reason is that at the first sign of trouble a curfew is imposed and a severe beating with long sticks awaits anyone who dares to break the curfew. The police would not hesitate to shoot if the need arose.

The second reason is that the family unit remains strong and children are brought up to believe that nothing is going to come easily. A strong work ethic is imbued in children and bringing shame to the family is considered the ultimate disgrace. We have lost the values which once made this country great, such as discipline, courage, compassion and the determination to do the right thing. It sounds old fashioned but the sanctity of marriage and curbing individual desires for the greater good of society need to made the norm again.

NITIN MEHTA
CROYDON, SURREY