For long, Singapore has fascinated the world with its incredible development story. So much so that this small island nation is not just one of the richest countries in the world (4th highest per capita GDP by purchasing power parity) but has also become a role model as to how cities should be professionally managed. It has also vindicated the fact that for prosperity, there can be no substitute to human ingenuity. If that is persistently present, a nation can become affluent even in the absence of natural resources. In terms of Human Development Index too, it has one of the highest rankings (22nd). Yet one of the most important facets of this nation which could have been a living example for the fighting giants, have been completely ignored. Singapore in one sense stands out as a microcosm of the miracle that can happen if India and China come together. While demographically Singapore has a predominant ethnic Chinese population (around 75%), it also has a substantial proportion of people of Indian origin. And not only they have peacefully coexisted for long, both the communities have significant contributions in the economic triumph of the island nation.
Time since the ascent of India and China as economic powerhouses of the future, the world has been strife with speculations about the possibility of a potential conflict among these two Asian or rather global giants, in future. Interestingly, in the current spate of global recession ignited by the banking collapse in the US and Europe, Indian and Chinese economy remained relatively steady amidst economic slide among many in the West and Japan. But instead of being euphoric, the D-day theorists are becoming increasingly paranoid. They consider that the competition among the two in increasing their clout in Central Asia and Africa as well as the race for oil reserves in those places can be potential reasons for conflict among these two energy starved nations. Needless to say, without energy the economic wheels in both the countries would come to a standstill. Add to this, ‘the fear of the unknown syndrome’ from which both these nations suffer. Each is getting increasingly paranoid and apprehensive about the objectives of the other, leading to an unprecedented arms race among the two as if both are bracing up for the inevitable. Each gets driven by the stereotype image of the other that the global media feeds. It is ironical that while China and India have almost become the production hubs for all the products and services that the First World nations use, in their own backyard, they seldom allow each to sell products to the other freely.
Yet one wonders what miracle can happen if these two giants or rather two-third of mankind can shed their inhibitions and come together. Not only would it create an economic marvel which would dwarf everything else, it would also make sure that Asia would never need the West ever again. Each has unique abilities which the other can use productively. While the Chinese are extremely meticulous, conformist and perfectionist which are indispensable in quality manufacturing, Indians with their ingenious ‘out of the box thinking habit’ and non-conformist attitude, have made India the hub for service outsourcing and global Research & Development. So while one creates the products of the day, the other services it, while one meticulously manufactures, the other designs for the future. One wonders that if 4.2 million people of Indian and Chinese origin can create the wonder called Singapore, what two-third of mankind residing in India and China can do together. For once, let Singapore show us the way to the possibly remarkable future.
Time since the ascent of India and China as economic powerhouses of the future, the world has been strife with speculations about the possibility of a potential conflict among these two Asian or rather global giants, in future. Interestingly, in the current spate of global recession ignited by the banking collapse in the US and Europe, Indian and Chinese economy remained relatively steady amidst economic slide among many in the West and Japan. But instead of being euphoric, the D-day theorists are becoming increasingly paranoid. They consider that the competition among the two in increasing their clout in Central Asia and Africa as well as the race for oil reserves in those places can be potential reasons for conflict among these two energy starved nations. Needless to say, without energy the economic wheels in both the countries would come to a standstill. Add to this, ‘the fear of the unknown syndrome’ from which both these nations suffer. Each is getting increasingly paranoid and apprehensive about the objectives of the other, leading to an unprecedented arms race among the two as if both are bracing up for the inevitable. Each gets driven by the stereotype image of the other that the global media feeds. It is ironical that while China and India have almost become the production hubs for all the products and services that the First World nations use, in their own backyard, they seldom allow each to sell products to the other freely.
Yet one wonders what miracle can happen if these two giants or rather two-third of mankind can shed their inhibitions and come together. Not only would it create an economic marvel which would dwarf everything else, it would also make sure that Asia would never need the West ever again. Each has unique abilities which the other can use productively. While the Chinese are extremely meticulous, conformist and perfectionist which are indispensable in quality manufacturing, Indians with their ingenious ‘out of the box thinking habit’ and non-conformist attitude, have made India the hub for service outsourcing and global Research & Development. So while one creates the products of the day, the other services it, while one meticulously manufactures, the other designs for the future. One wonders that if 4.2 million people of Indian and Chinese origin can create the wonder called Singapore, what two-third of mankind residing in India and China can do together. For once, let Singapore show us the way to the possibly remarkable future.
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