The Reality Behind the Boast of Being the World’s Third Largest Economy - Via Germany**
By: Moolchandra Gautam
Ever since discussions about India becoming the world’s third-largest economy began, the need to assess its reality has also been felt—whether this is just an empty boast or if there is any solid factual basis behind it. This comparative need became more pronounced when I had the chance to visit Germany, the country officially recognized as the world’s third-largest economy.
Five years ago, in 2019, I visited Munich, Germany's economic capital, as a tourist during a trip to Europe. There, I experienced the grandeur of the Olympic Stadium and the BMW Tower. The quality of the roads significantly contributes to Germany’s reputation as a hub for high-quality car manufacturing. It’s astonishing to see vehicles moving at such high speeds without any traffic jams. It’s hard to believe, when seeing huge piles of unfit cars, that they will be reconstructed. This perfection is present in every object, system, and person there. However, during that visit, I didn't have the opportunity to deeply understand or observe the state of social life, education, and healthcare.
This time, during my nearly two-month stay in Berlin, I had ample opportunities to thoroughly experience the world's third-largest economy up close. There is a craze for living together among the youth. They do not want to be bound by the responsibilities of marriage. Due to social security, unmarried motherhood is not a burden here. In their desire for independent living, young people do not even live with their parents for life. Therefore, most elderly people suffer from loneliness. Dogs are their true loyal friends, and often, it is the dogs that alert others when their owners have passed away. Hence, they are cared for more than children.
When I visited my granddaughter Sukriti's school, I saw how much attention is given to the complete nutrition of young children, unlike our insufficient mid-day meals. The government takes full responsibility for their development, from sports to food and comfort, without any expense until they become adults. Not a single child appears malnourished. There is no aversion to meat here, and it seems they are trained for their future life. Children are also taken out for outings and movies in a disciplined manner. They are free to get tattoos at summer parties. No one can mistreat them, and even parents can face police action on complaints. They can borrow their favorite books and digital games from the public library for a month. Parents are not allowed to take them out without leave. The government also gives parents an additional 250 Euros per child for proper care at home. Working couples are given time off to pick up and drop off their children at school. This is why Germany is the preferred country for many refugees, offering the most comprehensive social security. They receive a family allowance every month. To prevent misuse of this, the government is preparing to issue them coupons that can only be used in Germany.
In terms of public transportation, Germany is a model. Pollution-free electric buses, trams, trains, and, most importantly, bicycles connect the entire city of Berlin. One pass is valid for all vehicles. Everything is digital. All routes and vehicles connecting them are available online. Bicycles and scooters are available everywhere through an app and can be used as needed. In India, most of these would disappear. A ticket is required for carrying them on the train or bus, and ticket checking is infrequent. If caught without a ticket, a fine of sixty Euros must be paid. If you don't have the money, a notice is sent to your home, which you can pay online. Separate lanes for bicycles ensure the safety of cyclists. It is astonishing to see parents quickly cycling with infants securely seated in front or behind them. Children do not need tickets and are free to travel. Special facilities are provided for the elderly and disabled everywhere. Bus drivers help load and unload tricycles for the disabled and also act as conductors. Special attention is given to pedestrians. Numerous signs make it easier and safer to cross busy roads. In India, most deaths occur while crossing roads. Hit-and-run incidents are frequent. Due to this disorder, India has the highest number of road accidents in the world. Talking about being the third-largest economy without comprehensive transportation safety is meaningless. This is why obtaining a driving license in Europe is very difficult, whereas in India, even minors drive vehicles without licenses and crush people, flouting the law. Their guardians are also complicit in this crime. The story "Alekhun Hitler" by Vijaydan Detha aptly expresses this environment.
Germany excels in the Human Development Index when considering the quality of life standards. The healthcare system is well-organized. Doctors avoid unnecessary medication and advise patients to boost their immunity, while emergency vans are immediately available with a single call from elderly patients. Cleanliness is exemplary. Plastic is nowhere to be seen. There are garbage bins everywhere for wet and dry waste. Trucks come twice a day to collect the trash. Employees in uniform place the bins on automatic machines. Separate bins are provided for paper waste. Similarly, pet owners dispose of their pets' waste in separate bins using napkins. There is no filth anywhere. There are strict rules for keeping dogs. Apart from birds, there are no stray animals. Workers are not unnecessarily pressured. Most of the work is done by machines. All their daily needs are well taken care of. It’s a self-disciplined society.
The only disorder in Berlin is seen in the littering of cigarette butts and beer bottles. Most men and women are chain smokers, with women even more so than men. This could be a cultural difference between East and West Germany. Can Hitler be blamed for this? By evening, all hotels and restaurants are buzzing. Men and women enjoy eating and drinking with friends and family. Beer is consumed like water. The beer garden culture is a special feature here. In this sense, Berlin truly is an international capital, even though direct flights are limited. Food from every country is available here. People enjoy music by the river and take pleasure in boating, while most Indians remain preoccupied with converting Euros to Rupees. Some poor and social workers collect empty bottles in the morning and exchange them at supermarkets for drinking money. The process of issuing coupons has curbed this disorder somewhat. To control smoking, a system like in Russia is needed here, where specific places are designated for this purpose.
Sports are an integral part of German life. Achieving tenth place in the Olympic Games is no small feat. From childhood, children are encouraged both at home and outside to play football, run, cycle, and swim. Football is a passion here. We experienced this during the Euro Cup. The excitement was sky-high on the day of the German team's matches. There were arrangements everywhere to watch live matches on large TV screens. Beer-fueled excitement, fireworks at every goal, and silence at every loss. All fields and swimming pools are bustling with activities on Saturdays and Sundays. People enjoy going out. Triathlon events are held regularly. It’s common to see people sunbathing in parks. This is why most people here remain physically fit. They enjoy every life activity like a festival. Large parks charge an entrance fee, where parties can be organized. Greeting strangers with a "hi" or "hello" is a habit here.
As for the weather, we went to Berlin from the extreme heat of India. As soon as we arrived, it started raining. The temperature even dropped to a minimum of six degrees, which was ideal for us. We had to wear warm clothes in the morning. Rain would fall as soon as the temperature rose a bit during the day. There was no waterlogging anywhere. Unlike in India, the weather department here does not give false information. People plan their activities according to the weather forecast, which is always accurate. Most people carry umbrellas with them. The nights are short. According to Indian time, we would go to bed at nine in the evening, as we had to wake up at four in the morning, even though there was daylight until ten at night.
Berlin and Potsdam have the world's best UNESCO-certified museums, where the entire history, archaeology, military skills, culture, literature, and art of Germany and Europe, as well as surrounding countries, are presented in a well-organized and lively manner. Tourists and locals buy tickets to explore this past, and the maintenance is funded by this income. Who wouldn’t be attracted to the historical heritage and excavation of human civilization at Humboldt University? Dinosaurs are the main attraction of that museum. The names of the streets and squares remind us of great people. The Berlin Wall reminds us of Germany's imperialist past, made attractive by artists. Hitler’s atrocities can never be forgotten in German history. The Jewish Museum is direct evidence of this. Hitler's gallery chronicles his life from beginning to end, including his suicide. This is why the German people do not even want to mention his name now. The most popular name in Frederick the Great's country is his, while Hitler is the most despised. But who can deny history? For some, this villain remains a hero. What greater irony of history can there be?
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