It is baffling why the Indian media is up in arms over Time magazine not considering Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as their cover page “Man of the year.”
Why should they? It is a private publication and it can do what it wants. Where is it written that its editors have to select Modi or anyone else? This rage is wrong on so many levels. For one, who needs the approbation of a single American magazine and why fall for this trap as if we were, as Indians, in need of this approbation. Then again, why are so many writers expressing criticism and sense of injury because he is not in the running. Is it such a major issue that we have to show upset.
It is such a double standard. On the one hand we castigate the US whenever we get the opportunity and are the first to jump onto our bandwagon of piety and criticize the American foreign policy. Then, suddenly, we employ the same country as the measure of worth and desperately need acknowledgement from this source.
Is it really such a vital honor to be on Time’s cover that we have to cavil over it being denied. It is like a needy student seeking the approval of the teacher. As non issues go this one is hard to beat and the media per se should grow up. You cannot tell me what to make for dinner in my home.
By that token you cannot whine about whom Time chooses or why. It is entirely their business and if you do not agree with the choice don’t buy the magazine but stop behaving as if the skies have fallen. It might be laughable that he wins the popularity poll conducted by the same magazine and is then cut from the final eight contenders but that is still Time’s prerogative and their panel or jury or whatever you wish to call it is not duty bound to accept the public poll. In any case, Time is of the opinion that the sheer number of Indians voting on Facebook loaded the dice in Modi’s favor and made it an unfair poll. Guys, it was your poll so stop covering up.But that said, do we really care?
My argument is very simple. It is unimportant and India’s media should stop giving it so much attention. Until nations like India begin to see themselves as entities that do not need to be propped up by scenarios of historical and colonial conditioning they will always come in second best. The way we behave when some foreign country honors one of ours is almost pathetic on occasions and this is one of them. We do not need a baronet, we don’t want the key to a city, we are not seeking some honorary degree or title and if it comes our way, so be it, let’s keep it in perspective and say thanks very much, gracious of you and leave it at that.
Some of the stuff is written as though the nation has been insulted by the elimination of Modi as a contender for the cover. Are you serious? Why are we falling into this trap. Simple response. Don’t put Obama on your cover. QED.
