Sunday, August 18, 2013

Democracy in India, democracy in Switzerland...

As a Swiss citizen born in India, I am many times brought to think about my experiences of the democratic systems prevalent in the two countries.

Before Indian ‘patriots’ start screaming murder at what I am going to say, I should point out that I am fully aware that I am talking about two different historical realities.

Switzerland has been independent for over 800 years while India is a newly created entity, now a mere 66 years old.

Switzerland has a population of only 8 million while India has the second highest population of any country in the world at over 1.2 billion (give or take a few million). And expected, in the near future, to even outstrip China, and become the world’s most populous.

The trigger for this set of reflections was what I saw on the 7.30 pm evening news on Swiss TV a couple of weeks ago.

 The Swiss President, Mr Ueli Maurer, was leaving on a five day state visit to China. The news showed him arriving at Zürich airport in an ordinary private vehicle. The President got out of the car by opening the car door himself. He walked to the nearby baggage trolley stand outside the airport entrance. He took a baggage trolley out, rolled it towards the car, lifted his suitcase and travel bag himself, put these on the trolley which he then rolled towards the entrance like any passenger lambda like you or me. He walked up to the check in counter with just two other persons walking behind him. He checked his luggage in for a commercial flight without any special treatment being meted out to him. Full story...

Related posts:
  1. It's a "blessing" we're not in the European Union, say the Swiss...
  2. To the people of the Midddle East: copy Switzerland, not the US...
  3. " Politicians in India have looted the country more than the British did..."
  4. India's political despair...
  5. Elections Bollywood style: India's chutney democracy...
  6. Praise for US officials' modest lunch bill in China...
  7. Chinese charmed by US ambassador carrying his own bag and ordering his...
  8. Pregnant woman in Pakistan gives birth in traffic jam as road is closed for President...

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