Do you want to make money?

Why not? I expect this reply from most of the Indians to the poser in the headline. But author Amish Tripathi of the Shiva Triology thinks otherwise. In his piece "To make money is glorious" (Hindustan Times, Sept 9) he writes:

“Today, we live in an Age of Money. The most efficient currency of change is money, the way of the Vaishya… . Has India shifted from the Age of Violence to the Age of Money? I think we’re in a muddle... . We have a complicated relationship with money. Many, especially among our older, decision-making generation, hold that money leads to corruption.”

I beg to differ with Amish's views. I think we Indians very much want to make money. The greatest example of our love for money is that many 'spiritual' gurus and swamis, who are not supposed to be enamoured of any material thing, end up managing wealth worth billions. Actually, a good number of we Indians want to make money quick and fast through shortcuts. That's why scams happen, and sometimes we are also forced to pay for chai-paani to get work done.

Regarding China, Amish says, “China has used money as a tool for change.” We must not forget China has become the economic power the hard way. It has successfully combined its white collar talent with its blue collar muscle to manufacture all types of mediocre and quality products to cater to different markets of the world. That's why it is called the 'workshop of the world'. And, today leading international economists and scholars underline the importance of China growth story. They feel if “China grows, the world prospers.” 

But what about India? Here electoral politics (which the Chinese rulers need not play) takes precedence over everything.

Amish's article is available at the following link: http://www.hindustantimes.com/News-Feed/Amish/To-make-money-is-glorious/Article1-1119333.aspx