Another Milestone on the Way to Globalization

By Dr. Ravindra Kumar

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.

Universally renowned Gandhian scholar, Indologist and writer Dr. Ravindra Kumar is the Former Vice-Chancellor of CCS University of Meerut