In Britain, a fear of the status futurus. In India, a hope that will not be denied

The official logo of India's 75th Independence Day

If you live in Britain and keep an eye on India, it’s pretty clear where the new world seems to begin: the borders of India.

In Britain, one hears a constant dirge, a mournfulness about plans for tomorrow, dissatisfaction with the status quo and the status futurus…indeed, a very fear of the way the world turns.

But, among Indians, there is a quite remarkable hopefulness and the sense of making a new world. Whether they are or not, is obviously up for debate. However, it’s striking to note the following sentence by prominent Indian columnist Gurcharan Das. He said that on the 75th anniversary of Indian independence from British rule “there is much to be proud. We have remained united despite so many predictions of breaking up. We are a confident and hopeful as a people like never before.”

It’s possible to discern a defiance about Indians’ hopefulness. For, the reality, as Gurcharan acknowledges, is India could have done much better, especi…