Admiring the French

Everybody has a thing to two to learn from the French, especially India and Indians. I still cannot stop admiring the arty French people and their living style. I have never seen such wonderfully preserved History and culture anywhere in the world, not that I've seen the whole world. But from what I know so far, I can tell they are incredibly proud and rightly so, of their heritage, their language, and they have no qualms standing up to the invasion of English into their lives. In France, there is a very harmonious blend of the latest technology (think blindingly fast trains for instance) with the ancient History - for example there are many towns where all the houses, pavements, etc are still in stone, as they were some 500 years ago!

India should take a leaf out of the French book. Though we stood up to the British invasion once upon a time, the culture and what India stands for is largely eroded today. No longer do we even realise the winds of change and the loss of ancient treasures. Shamefully, English is accepted to the extent that many feel ashamed to talk in their native languages, looking down upon their roots. Imagine what if we could uphold Sanskrit, and even today have our entire education, all our websites, books, etc in Sanskrit? How wonderful that would be! This is not far fetched when you look at France, Japan and such countries which are among the most advanced places, yet with millenia old traditions proudly surviving even today.

Another thing that's truly heartening to observe in France is their taste for art, and their slow paced, relaxed and enjoyable lifestyle. In fact, there is law prohibiting work > 35 hrs weekly! They have a lunch break for nearly 2 hrs, even in today's so called 'fast paced' world. And what do they have to show for it? Everything - progress in all its glory! The age old proverb 'slow and steady wins the race' comes to mind. Their taste in art, literature, gourmey cuisine, etc all go a long way in filling up their spare time fruitfully.

On the face of it, as a traveller we usually look for the best of what we see and a passing glimpse of the grass makes it look green, often with envy. But nevertheless, not withstanding a deeper analysis that may expose certain pitfalls of their society, the above are truly values that every culture needs to possess and emulate from the French!