Son,
You are going to the US for your education just like your grandfather, and me!
It takes me back to the day I left for America to study. Looking back, some things feel unchanged while others have changed completely.
I read a joke recently: a Cuban, a Russian, an American and an Indian met on the upper deck of a ship and began to show off. The Cuban threw away an expensive cigar after one puff and said, “No problem, plenty of cigars in my country.” The Russian tossed a bottle of vodka after one sip and said, “No problem, plenty of vodka in my country.” The American, at a loss for something to boast about, said, “Plenty of Indians in my country,” and pushed the Indian overboard. ;-)
Plenty of Indians!
Indians are now everywhere in the USA, and far from being pushed out, they have entered the mainstream as professors, CEOs, entrepreneurs, senators, presidential candidates, even Hollywood stars!
Though only about 1.5% of the U.S. population, Indian-Americans have become a model immigrant community.
They show stable family structures, low rates of violent crime, and comparatively negligible psychological problems. As a result, they’re producing national spelling bee champions and among those aged 25 and older, about 75% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, versus roughly 35% nationally. They hold about 10% of U.S. patents and a striking share of successful start-ups, including unicorns. Their median household income tops over every other group at over USD 150,000, and they contribute nearly 6% of U.S. taxes.
In my day we had none of that.
In Iowa, where I spent my freshman year, I was the first Indian anyone there had met. An inquisitive woman asked whether I was “a white guy with a great tan or a black guy with straight hair!”
What hasn’t changed is how, as an Indian teenager, I longed to imitate those “cool Americans.” Nike shoes, Coca-Cola, video games, Wrigley gum, dancing at discos, and visiting Disneyland and Hollywood all captured my imagination. That was, and to a large extent still is - the soft power of America.
For India’s sake, I want you to explore that soft power while you’re there. Ask: how does a country attract so many people for so long?
What is its secret sauce?
Harvard’s Dr. Joseph Nye defines soft power as the intangible appeal that attracts others and can change their behavior. A teen adopting American jeans, food, music, or accent to seem “cool” is a simple example of soft power. Unlike sticks or carrots, soft power is inexpensive and effective long-term.
Dr. Nye says a nation’s soft power grows when:
1) Its dominant culture aligns with global trends (democracy, open trade, fair judiciary, women’s empowerment, pluralism).
2) Its grand culture is clearly communicated.
3) It delivers visible results that uplift citizens.
Ideas whose time has come cannot be stopped by armies. I believe India’s time has come. When you’re in the U.S., be an ambassador for India.
When people ask about our country, speak of things that matter - the traits that are distinctly Indian.
Shashi Tharoor’s Pax Indica notes we rank high: GDP by PPP, growth rates, army size, nuclear and space programs, IT, entertainment, and media.
But tangibles aren’t everything. As Einstein said, not everything that counts can be counted.
Our soft power is this: despite many cultures, languages, and religions pulling in different directions, we still function as one nation. At the time of independence, even when Pakistan partitioned away, barring a few, we stitched together 560 princely states without a battle to form the Union of India, something unique in the world. That unity has let us punch above our economic weight. If the world doesn’t fully appreciate the tiger's earned stripes, it’s because they're preoccupied in their preconceived notions.
It is time we tell our story effectively.
We are also the wise elephant!
After Independence, we didn’t nurse grudges against the British; we forged trade ties. Unlike Pakistan, which defined itself in opposition of India, India remained a culturally secular and democratic republic. Our DNA is accommodating.
When the US president George W. Bush introduced Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to his wife, he reportedly noted that India remained free of Al-Qaeda despite having over 150 million Muslims - a comment meant to highlight our pluralism.
We work with friends like Israel in agriculture and defense, yet we vote our conscience at the UN when we disagree on Palestine.
That is so even when many Muslim nations vote unfairly on Kashmir, yet we decide on merits, not expedience. We also have no history of anti-Semitism but have in fact given refuge to some Jews when they were escaping Hitler reign.
During the Cold War we stayed nonaligned. We shifted slightly after the US supported Pakistan’s attack on India but we still kept our sovereign choices open, seeking security arrangements from the Soviets and trade with the U.S. Our politicians visited Moscow, our business community went to New York.
We stayed largely self-reliant, so that sanctions don't work on India. After Pokhran, U.S. sanctions came and went because they discovered they had more to lose. Over time, without signing the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), we convinced the world to accept our nuclear program and cooperate with us. We adopted a “No First Use” stance and stuck to it.
That resolve was tested after Kargil, when Pakistan’s military misadventure strained relations. Even then, India offered peace and invited their leader Musharraf later to the Agra Summit - we choose peace when possible.
In the Gulf war, India stayed out of the US lead coalition and pushed for talks. Today, after the global pockets of skirmishes and wars, such restraint looks prescient.
We have not annexed any neighbors. Bhutan has remained independent and close to India by choice. Tibet’s monks have seen India as refuge; we have supported them out of kindness rather than political gain. Our aid to Afghan refugees and reconstruction is another example.
At the WTO we stood against the world to defend our food-security needs and the right to stockpile foodgrain in case of monsoon failure. We asserted our priorities and ultimately attracted India-centric investment because strength commands respect.
Prime Minister Modi’s visits to Washington & Moscow, Tehran & Riyadh, Jerusalem & Ramallah - all warring with each other by hot or cold, still warmly received him, shows how India can engage diverse partners.
Some call India a “soft state,” but I see a sovereign nation that decides independently for the long term and often chooses humanity over politics. India has therefore been recognized as the first responder nation in case of any natural calamity in any part of the world.
Christopher Columbus searched for India but found America. Like your grandfather, I went to America drawn by its soft power, and from afar, rediscovered what India means to me.
Once away, the things I’d taken for granted became precious: masala chai, masaledar snacks, the street vendors’ cries.
America felt comfortable, like a supermarket. India felt like home - a wonderfully chaotic, bubbling bazaar.
Education should be rooted in culture and wedded to growth. The country that nourished your roots will strengthen your future. As you spread branches, remember: deeper roots yield sweeter fruits.
While you’ll be America’s student, remain a soldier of India and be there with a learner's curiosity.
Be an unabashed admirer of America, but stay forever in love with India.
All the very best.
Love,
Dadzi Pop
