i live on the outskirts of mangalore from where it is roughly a 30 minute ride to the heart of the town. i was on my way to the city yesterday evening & since i already had my siesta, i couldn't fall asleep in the bus. as i was staring out of the window with my thoughts varying from one topic to another, i saw a street light glowing with all its might even though it was still 4.20 pm, trying to match the sunshine, which is common in my country, as is the vision of people answering nature's call at any possible place, like under a tree or beside a lamp post or an unguarded wall. i had the rare "privilege" of witnessing both of the afore mentioned sights together as i was staring outside, when the sleepy side of me started moaning- "and they say india will actually be a developed country by 2020." i began pondering as to what are the requirements for a country to be "developed", (frankly, there was nothing else to do!) and i began comparing india and other countries, and found that we are being held back by the "developed" countries in joining them. well look at us, what do we lack? my india - i take pride in adding the "my" - is on par with the "developed" countries. we have the highest growth rate in the world, we are the largest democracy in the world, we will soon reach a GDP rate of double digits, termed the impossible by economy pundits far and wide, even we have nukes, even we have launched rockets to space, we shall shortly be reaching the moon, (hopefully), even have path breaking inventions and discoveries. india can boast of being the land of birth of aryabhata, srinivasan ramanujan, s n bose, as in "boson", j c bose, who had invented the radio before marconi and thanks to the british rule, he couldn't take credit for it. also, the mahatma who was respected all over the world was an indian. and to think that most of the above said distinctions have come within 60 years of independence! compare it with countries who have been independent for more than 200 years. man, aren't we fast! also, vatsayana is indian, (for those who are reading this name the first time, he's the author of the "kamasutra"), which means people worlwide use theory which originated in india for their practicalities in privacy. cheeky? yes, but still, it is the truth. well, i don't know, my india for me is already "developed", and its just a matter of time till others countries also accept it. ah, the irony! i wouldn't think of a subject like this even if i took part in a debate competition, a bumpy sleepless ride makes me so patriotic!!!