Freedom as seen in America

a few words from the author


"The two sides of freedom in America as seen by me"
August 17, 2004
indiainfo.com

My first article to secure publication in a popular outlet of India!

As-difficult-as-it-can-get to express in words, the feeling on hearing the news was exquisitely heartening!! and to my surprise, a pleasant one of course, the host of responses from all my friends only better-ed that feeling…

Thank You All !!!

Saurabh ('Subbu').
India.
Sep 2004



views of my friends

Szmodics Marianna
University of Pécs - English Dept, Hungary

I have read your articles, and I think they are quite good and interesting. I like your writing style, your articles are easy to understand.Though I study American "culture" and literature, I do not like the Americans. I agree with you that Americans do not have their own culture. It is true. Sometimes I think they consider themselves as superior than any part of the world. And I find that the worst thing that happenned to the USA was the re-election of Bush.


Przemek
European Affairs student, Poland

I liked your way of writing...It's very interesting for me. I must admit that all the disadvantages of "wonderful" American dream are also shared by me. Their very shallow family relations and their attitude to love which is mainly identified with sex aren't consistent with my opinions about happy life. Many people in Poland want to go to America because they think that a better life awaits them there. But in fact they are often disappointed when they're treated not equally as Americans and they've to work in poor conditions. If you're a Polishman you've to have a visa to get to the US, but the fact you have received it doesn't mean you'll be alllowed to pass the border. Our culture, values important for people are opposite to Americans'.


Lilek Vasilek
Student, State Pedagogical University, Russia

It's really wonderful! Are you a journalist? The language of the article is easy to understand even for a foreigner. By the way I've never been there but I also agree with you that not everything is excellent in this country, I think that americans are all individualists and it's difficult for a man, who was brought up in other way, traditions to get accustomed to it. As they say "EAST OR WEST-HOME IS BEST".


Ulhas Latkar
Publisher "Dollar$ Bahu" novel, India

Its really a good read. In nutshell you have given a true picture of the 2 sides of American life. Please accept my sincere congrats for the simple yet effective narrative style.


Sudha Murty
Author "Dollar$ Bahu", Chairman - Infosys Foundation, India

Your article was interesting.


Abbi Power
Environmental Specialist, TCEQ, USA

Yes, your article was very interesting though I was sad that you didn't have a better experience when it comes to the ideas of American families and relationships. It is true that Americans do divorce "easily". I wished I'd had the opportunity to introduce you to some of the people I know with strong marriage vows and very tight knit families. They do exist here and are wonderful people to be around. I did love your description of the "largeness" of America...cars, airports, buildings, etc. I found it funny that you found America a very clean place.


Jerry Caton
Professor, Texas A&M University, USA

I enjoyed reading your reflections on this country. Your article read well.


Ritesh Garg
MBA student, IIM Lucknow, India

Looks like its straight from the heart!


Anu Palani
Software Professional, Accenture, India

Your article was excellant. Especially the para wherin you have described your initial reactions on seeing the Big city. The sentence "It seemed as if the entire world around me had got magnified, to at least twice its usual size!" was too good. Keep writing and do send me.


Natalia Valerievna Kulikova
Civil Lawyer, St. Petersburg, Russia

I` v just read your article about US. I agree with your opinion about the two sides of freedom in US. Really, US is a country of great opportunities. you really may make your dream come true there if you work hard and got good education. It seems people is defended with law there, their rights is guarded by law system very carefully.
But I don’t like America. I know that there are a lack of culture, Americans haven’t got their own culture, there culture is mixed with different culture of different countries, and they rather got more negatives, than positives features. American movies often have a lot of vulgarities, violence and dirty. Many films, I think, couldn’t be seen by children.
Americans often forget about their roots, but I suppose, they never think about this point at all. I know, also, Americans relate to sex and marriage very easily, as you mentioned it.
We have our own culture, and I suppose, the greatest one and don’t need to take any example from this way. I think we`d better learn something from European country` s living way, and take something good from the great experience of these nations.


Rashmi Bansal
Editor, JAM magazine, India

Your piece just wasn't well written or interesting enough. It didn't say anything new and was rather preachy.


Kiran Konaki
Editor, indiainfo.com & thatscricket.com

Yeah, the article was Good.


Gaurav Bhalotia
Software Professional, Oracle, USA

Cool!


(Dr.) Sharat C Prasad
PhD student, Texas A&M University, USA

I read your interesting article.



Freedom as seen in America

I was there (US of A) for my Masters' recently upon completion of my Bachelors' from IIT.

The initial reaction upon entering the country was truly mesmerizing; it being my first ever ride outside India. Huge airports, tall buildings, wider roads, big houses and cars, and the list goes on.. It seemed as if the entire world around me had got magnified, to at least twice its usual size!

In America, one gets 24-hour water supply, with both hot and cold option, everywhere. The same is true for electricity as well. Medical emergency service is available at the press of a button. Basic amenities are all practically guaranteed by the government to everybody.

One more thing I noticed to my delight was the cleanliness all around. Boy! they do keep themselves and their surroundings neat and tidy.

Frankly, it was a new world for me altogether. With so many amenities at one's disposal, who wouldn't feel free? Freedom from the daily "Indian" routine of travelling in over-crowded shuttle bus/trains, hurrying to get the household chores done lest the power would go off, waiting for the water supply to take bath...

This freedom also manifests in their culture.

There is freedom of opportunity in getting admission to a school/college or getting a job.

No discrimination (neither reservation) based on sex, caste, religion, etc exists. Every teenager gets on the bread-earning wagon as soon as he reaches 15; thereby becoming self-dependent. American girls drive buses and trucks, play soccer alongside guys, practically do everything that boys do!

However, not everything there is all-good. Else, the country would become the mythical heaven!

There is the "other side" to this freedom as well.

As the children get on their own early, they never have the "Indian" attachment towards their parents and/or relatives. People have a hard life, particularly in their old age, when they need their near-and-dear-ones alongside.

For girls, sex is just an "experience"; something they want to experiment with different people, in different forms, throughout their life.

Marriage has become practically a "joke" there. People divorce and remarry for petty things. The culture of single-parents has crept in steadily and comprehensively.

The freedom of opportunity that non-Americans "enjoy" there is equally stark. With the economy down, American companies don't even allow foreign students to seek employment with them. The primary targets of layoffs from American companies are foreigners. Getting the Green card and/or citizenship of the country has become next to impossible!

All said-and-done, I returned back to my country for good.

Though America might be good for earning some quick-bucks and enjoying the "good" side of freedom for a while, its not so when it comes to settling down for life.