It’s with considerable relief that I’ve received comments on my recent post Goodbye mother Ganges. I long delayed even publishing the post because to some, who had seen a draft, it seemed unnecessarily pessimistic. Who wants to hear a foreigner being critical of India’s headlong rush to consumerism? However, in the end, I decided it was better to recheck the facts, rethink my conclusions, and if i still believed in what I was asserting, to “publish and be damned”.
So, I am very grateful to Shri Vijay Srinivas in Delhi who has responded with so much concern and agreement. Although his comments are posted with the original essay, they are worth republishing here to give them more prominence. I hope to be in direct contact with Shri Vijay and that we will be able to develop a conversation and take it forward.
“Dear Dennis,
I am a journalist and communications professional based in Delhi.
Thanks so much for such a wonderful report. I have passed it on to so many of my friends, who could not agree less (more) with what you have said about the Ganga.
Indeed, it is a metaphor for India. Our consumerist dream will not only kill the river but also the aspirations of the current and future generations. Better-off Indians like me and others are dragging everyone else down the road to the abyss. And we don’t feel guilty about it, because we are busy saving our careers, building our dream homes, buying the most fancy of gadgets and living up the American dream.
I wonder if there is a way to save this disaster from happening. If there is ever an opportunity to work with you on any of your projects, I would be keen to collaborate.
God bless,
Vijay”
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