The Bystander Apathy in India: When Human Suffering Turns into Entertainment

In the bustling streets of India, where chaos reigns supreme and traffic moves like a lawless river, a chilling reality unfolds all too often. Imagine this: a pedestrian is struck by a speeding SUV — a Thar, perhaps — careening through the crowd. The victim lies on the footpath, bleeding profusely, screaming in agony, their cries piercing the humid air. Passersby glance momentarily, then avert their eyes and continue on their way, as if the scene is just another pothole to sidestep. If a crowd does form, it’s not to render aid but to gawk at the “tamasha” — the spectacle. Phones emerge not to dial emergency services but to capture videos and photos, turning a life-or-death moment into viral fodder for social media groups. This isn’t fiction; it’s a grim snapshot of societal indifference that plagues the nation, where empathy seems extinct and human lives are reduced to entertainment value.

This barbaric behavior raises profound questions about the state of humanity in India. Why do people ignore the pleas of the injured? Why does suffering amuse rather than alarm? Drawing from numerous reports and studies, it’s clear this isn’t isolated but a widespread phenomenon rooted in psychological, legal, and cultural factors. A 2013 survey by the SaveLife Foundation revealed that 74% of Indians are unlikely to help an accident victim, even when alone or with others. This apathy, often termed the “bystander effect,” explains how individuals in a group assume someone else will step in, diffusing responsibility until no one acts.

Real-Life Horror Stories: From Ignorance to Exploitation

Tragic incidents abound that illustrate this heartless detachment. In 2017, a man in Delhi was run over multiple times by vehicles while lying injured on the road; motorists and pedestrians alike ignored him, leading to his death. Similarly, in 2021, a man stabbed his wife to death on a crowded Delhi street, with bystanders filming the assault rather than intervening. These aren’t anomalies — in fact, research shows that in India, bystanders are far less likely to help strangers compared to protecting loved ones, amplifying the isolation of victims.

The crowd’s role often exacerbates the problem. Instead of calling an ambulance or police, spectators pull out smartphones to record the gore. Why? For the thrill of sharing “shocking” content among friends or on platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram. This voyeurism turns personal tragedy into public entertainment, a disgusting twist where a person’s final moments become memes or group chat fodder. As one report notes, urban desensitization has made us immune to violence and accidents, treating them as background noise in our chaotic lives. In a country where road accidents claim over 150,000 lives annually, this behavior isn’t just negligent — it’s complicit in preventable deaths.

The Roots of Indifference: Fear, Psychology, and a Broken System

At the heart of this issue lies the bystander effect, a psychological principle where the presence of others discourages individual action. In India, it’s compounded by practical fears: 88% of people believe good samaritans face harassment from police or hospitals, including endless questioning, legal entanglements, or demands for payment. A national study on impediments to bystander care highlights how attitudes from law enforcement deter help, with many fearing they’ll be blamed or dragged into court.

Cultural and societal elements play a role too. In fast-paced cities like Delhi or Mumbai, life’s hardships breed a survivalist mentality — why risk your own stability for a stranger? Some argue that India’s dense population and constant exposure to poverty and accidents normalize suffering, turning empathy into exhaustion. Yet, this doesn’t excuse the glee in spectating; it’s a sign of deeper moral decay. As the user aptly puts it, these individuals’ lives seem so devoid of meaning that watching someone bleed out provides a perverse form of entertainment. It’s barbaric, stripping away the humanity that should bind us.

Even youth, often seen as agents of change, show reluctance. A study on predicting intentions to help accident victims found that perceived behavioral control and attitudes influence action, but barriers like fear persist. And while the Supreme Court introduced the Good Samaritan Law in 2016 to protect helpers from legal hassles — offering anonymity and no liability — awareness remains low, with 77% still hesitant due to police fears.

A Nation Not for the Faint-Hearted — or Anyone?

They say India is not for beginners, but perhaps it’s not for anyone at all. In a land of ancient philosophies preaching compassion — like ahimsa — modern reality paints a picture of monsters masquerading as men. When suffering is entertainment and sympathy is scarce, what does that say about us? Victims don’t just bleed from wounds; they bleed from the collective indifference that lets them die alone amid a sea of faces.

Change is possible, but it demands education, stricter enforcement of protective laws, and a cultural shift toward empathy. Until then, the next time you see a Thar-rammed pedestrian crying on the sidewalk, remember: ignoring them doesn’t make you neutral — it makes you part of the problem. India deserves better than this spectacle of savagery.

The Name We Discard: How Indian Immigrants Adapt in the US

 

---

The Name We Discard: How Indian Immigrants Adapt in the US

Rajesh becomes Ray. Priya becomes Pree. Arun becomes “Aron” because, well, it’s easier. These aren’t just spelling variations — they’re microcosms of a larger asymmetry in how immigrant identity works in America

Walk into any American tech office, startup, or corporate floor. You’ll find Indians with anglicized names filling their professional lives while keeping their “real” names for family WhatsApp groups. The pattern is so routine it feels natural, almost inevitable. Yet the opposite rarely happens: when Americans move to India or anywhere else in Asia, they rarely feel compelled to change their names. This asymmetry reveals something uncomfortable about how power, discrimination, and assimilation work.

The Numbers Don’t Lie: How Common Are These Changes?

The practice is widespread but often invisible because it happens gradually. My older brother, Nirmalkumar, became Norm. My sister, Savita, became Sammy. These aren’t dramatic rebrandings — they’re accommodations, convenience, survival tactics in a system not built for them.

The examples are endless and mundane:

• Shrinivasan → Shri or Steve
• Priya → Pree or even just “P”
• Deepak → Dave
• Anjali → AJ
• Vikram → Vik or Victor

Some Indians officially change their names on resumes, LinkedIn, and job applications. Others switch between contexts — their legal name in one setting, an anglicized version in another. This code-switching becomes second nature, so normalized that it barely registers as a choice anymore

Why This Happens: The Machinery of Discrimination

The reasons are deceptively simple but rooted in real harm:

1. Hiring Bias Is Measurable

Harvard research demonstrated that resumes with Indian names receive callback rates 26–50% lower than identical resumes with “white-sounding” names. This isn’t anecdotal — it’s statistical. When a hiring manager sees “Priya Gupta” versus “Priya Gardner,” the outcomes differ meaningfully. Discrimination is real, quantifiable, and immediate

2. Pronunciation Becomes a Burden

There’s a subtle cruelty in workplaces where your name requires explanation every time you introduce yourself. Hiring managers stumble over it. Colleagues butcher it repeatedly. In meetings, you’re constantly correcting people — a micro-aggression that drains energy while signaling that you don’t quite belong. Changing your name removes this daily friction.

3. Professional Advancement

Indians quickly learn that their ethnic identity can be a ceiling, not a bridge. Names become a calculus: Is keeping my identity worth limiting my career? For many, the pragmatic answer is no. Changing your name isn’t about preference — it’s about survival in a system that penalizes difference

4. Social Integration

Beyond careers, there’s a social dimension. Getting hired is one thing; actually fitting in is another. An anglicized name makes social interaction frictionless. Americans don’t have to feel uncomfortable around difference. Indians don’t have to be the foreign one. Everyone is more comfortable.

The Hypocrisy Is Structural

Here’s where your original critique hits hardest: Americans almost never do this in reverse.

When Americans move to India, the UK, Australia, or anywhere else, they keep their names intact. A “Mike” remains Mike. A “Jennifer” doesn’t become “Jaya.” They face no equivalent pressure, no hiring discrimination tied to their names, no systematic barrier that rewards assimilation.

This isn’t because Americans are individually more principled. It’s because they carry institutional power with them. American names aren’t foreign in most of the world — they’re prestigious. They suggest education, wealth, reliability. An American’s name is assumed to be correct; an Indian’s is assumed to be difficult.

The asymmetry reveals the truth: name-changing isn’t a choice born from respect for local culture. It’s a symptom of power imbalance. Indians adapt because they have to. Americans don’t adapt because they don’t have to.

The Trap of Individual Solutions to Systemic Problems

This is where the hypocrisy becomes philosophical. By normalizing name changes, we’re essentially telling Indian immigrants: “The system discriminates against you, so change yourself to fit it.”

This approach has consequences:

• It makes discrimination invisible. If discrimination isn’t obvious because everyone has adapted to it, it becomes self-inflicted rather than systemic.
• It shifts responsibility. Instead of asking “Why does American society penalize different names?” we ask “Why don’t you just change yours?”
• It surrenders identity. Each name change is a small surrender of cultural identity on the altar of professional acceptance.

Researchers themselves have pushed back: “We do not suggest immigrants to Anglicise their ethnic names in order to avoid discrimination,” warns Harvard research, because “this puts the onus on immigrants to promote equity

The Growing Resistance

Not everyone accepts this bargain anymore. Some Indian immigrants and their children are consciously resisting, keeping their names despite the friction, treating it as “a symbol of successful resistance to assimilation.”​

Activists are pushing systemic solutions instead. California passed a historic ban on caste discrimination. Recruiters are learning to value diversity rather than demanding homogeneity. Some companies now anonymize resumes to remove racial bias.

But these changes move at glacial speed. Meanwhile, individuals still face rent to pay and careers to build.

What This Reveals About Assimilation

The name-change phenomenon exposes how assimilation really works in America. It’s not a free exchange of cultures — it’s a hierarchy where the dominant culture’s comfort is prioritized over minority identity. It’s a system that says: “You’re welcome here, but only if you make us comfortable by becoming more like us.”

Meanwhile, Americans anywhere in the world remain comfortable as they are. No one asks them to change. No one makes it worth their while. They don’t have to choose between their name and their career.

That asymmetry is the hypocrisy. Not that Indians change names — that’s rational survival. But that we’ve normalized it so completely that it feels like personal preference rather than what it actually is: adaptive response to discrimination masked as cultural assimilation.

---

The real question isn’t whether Indians should change their names. It’s why, in a diverse nation built by immigrants, we still make it necessary.

 

India’s 35 Million–Strong Diaspora: Pride Without Power?

Every January, we celebrate Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas with pomp and pride. Politicians beam about the 35 million Indians abroad, often calling them “India’s ambassadors to the world.” We highlight the parade of Indian-origin CEOs — Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, Arvind Krishna — as proof that Indian talent dominates global boardrooms. We’ve even sweetened the deal with OCI cards, allowing them to keep a foot in the Indian door.

And yet, when it comes to protecting India’s core economic interests, this vast network has been silent — sometimes uncomfortably so.

The Test Case: US Tariffs

When the United States imposed tariffs affecting Indian goods — steel, aluminium, and later other sectors — New Delhi expected that the strong Indian-American presence, especially in policy circles and corporate corridors, might help soften the blow. After all, this is the same diaspora that India celebrates at every opportunity.

But there was no organized lobbying, no public campaign, no high-profile voices condemning the move. The Indian-American community, despite its political clout and economic influence, remained on the sidelines.

Why the Silence?

1. National Loyalty vs. Cultural Roots
   Most diaspora members, especially those in positions of power, are now citizens of their adopted countries. When push comes to shove, their legal and political obligations lie there, not here.
2. Corporate Priorities Over National Affection
   A CEO’s primary responsibility is to shareholders, not to the land of their birth. Supporting India against their own government’s trade policy is simply not in their job description.
3. Fear of Political Backlash
   Openly lobbying against a domestic policy of their host country can invite suspicion, accusations of dual loyalty, and professional risk.

The Harsh Reality

We love to imagine that the Indian diaspora is a geopolitical asset, ready to rally for India in times of need. The truth is more sobering: diaspora influence is circumstantial. It can shine in cultural promotion, philanthropy, and bilateral business ties — but when a direct clash of interests arises, their loyalties will align with their passports.

This isn’t betrayal. It’s simply the reality of migration and assimilation.

Rethinking Our Approach

India must recognize that diaspora goodwill ≠ diaspora activism. We can still take pride in their achievements, but we must stop assuming they are a dependable lobbying force for India’s political battles. Instead:

• Build our own institutional lobbying capacity abroad.
• Strengthen government-to-government channels rather than relying on soft power alone.
• Appreciate diaspora contributions where they are effective, but not confuse sentiment with strategy.

Conclusion

Our 35 million–strong diaspora is a source of pride, culture, and connection — but not a shield in economic warfare. They have built lives elsewhere, and when forced to choose, they will side with the nations that now claim their allegiance.

India can celebrate Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, hand out OCI cards, and beam at the success of Indian-origin leaders. But let’s also accept the reality: in the moments of geopolitical friction, we stand alone.

Paying Taxes: The Ultimate Act of Nationalism for Indians

 In a country as diverse and vibrant as India, nationalism is often expressed through grand gestures—hoisting the tricolor on Independence Day, cheering for the Indian cricket team, or celebrating the achievements of our armed forces. Yet, for the average Indian, the most profound and practical way to contribute to the nation’s growth is not by standing at the border with a gun but by fulfilling a civic duty that is often overlooked: paying taxes. Taxes are the lifeblood of a nation, funding everything from infrastructure to defense, healthcare to education. In a country where the majority of citizens will never fight in a war, paying taxes is arguably the most patriotic act one can perform. However, a troubling paradox persists—while many proudly wave the national flag and sing praises of India, some, including politicians and businessmen, exploit loopholes to evade taxes, undermining the very nation they claim to champion.

Taxes: The Backbone of Nation-Building

India’s progress as a nation depends heavily on its ability to generate revenue through taxation. Taxes fund critical public services: roads that connect rural villages to urban centers, schools that educate the next generation, hospitals that save lives, and the defense forces that protect our borders. According to the Government of India’s 2023-24 Union Budget, tax revenue accounts for over 50% of the country’s total revenue receipts, with direct taxes like income tax and indirect taxes like GST playing a pivotal role. Without these funds, the government’s ability to invest in nation-building would grind to a halt.

For the average Indian, paying taxes is a direct contribution to this collective effort. It’s a way to ensure that the country’s infrastructure grows, that soldiers are equipped to defend the nation, and that marginalized communities have access to welfare programs. Unlike volunteering for military service or running for public office, paying taxes is a universal act of patriotism accessible to every earning citizen. It’s a quiet, consistent way to say, “I believe in India’s future, and I’m willing to invest in it.”

The Hypocrisy of Tax Evasion

Ironically, some of the loudest proponents of Indian pride—politicians, businessmen, and public figures—are often the ones dodging their tax obligations. On Independence Day, it’s common to see these individuals draped in the national flag, delivering impassioned speeches about “Bharat Mata” and the greatness of India. Yet, behind closed doors, many employ a range of tactics to avoid contributing their fair share to the nation’s coffers. This hypocrisy is not just a betrayal of civic duty; it’s a direct assault on the idea of nationalism they so publicly espouse.

Tax evasion in India is a pervasive issue, with estimates suggesting that the country loses billions of rupees annually due to unreported income and fraudulent practices. According to a 2022 report by the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), only 1.5% of India’s population pays income tax, a stark contrast to developed nations where tax compliance is much higher. While India’s informal economy and low per capita income play a role, deliberate tax evasion by the wealthy and influential is a significant factor.

Common Ways Indians Cheat the Tax System

Tax evasion in India takes many forms, from subtle manipulations to outright fraud. Here are some of the most common methods:

1. Underreporting Income: Businessmen and professionals often underreport their earnings to fall below taxable income thresholds. For instance, a shopkeeper might maintain two sets of books—one for actual transactions and another for tax purposes—showing significantly lower profits to reduce their tax liability.
2. Fake Income Proofs: A particularly rampant practice is the submission of fraudulent income certificates to qualify for benefits or exemptions. This is especially prevalent among businessmen who manipulate documents to show annual earnings below a certain threshold, such as ₹8 lakh per annum, to avail of schemes meant for lower-income groups.
3. Benami Transactions: Some individuals hide their wealth by purchasing assets like property or gold in the names of relatives, employees, or fictitious entities. These “benami” transactions allow them to evade taxes on their actual income and wealth.
4. Cash Transactions: The use of cash for large transactions, particularly in sectors like real estate and retail, helps individuals bypass the tax net. By not issuing receipts or maintaining digital records, they avoid scrutiny from tax authorities.
5. Offshore Accounts and Tax Havens: Wealthy individuals and corporations often park their money in offshore accounts or shell companies in tax havens like the British Virgin Islands or Panama. The 2016 Panama Papers leak exposed several prominent Indians, including businessmen and politicians, who used such methods to hide their wealth.

A Case Study in Tax Fraud: The MCN Scholarship Scam at BITS Pilani

A striking example of how tax evasion permeates even the most unexpected places comes from my personal experience at BITS Pilani, one of India’s premier engineering institutions. The institute offers a Merit-cum-Need (MCN) scholarship, designed to support students from low-income families by waiving a portion of their tuition fees. To qualify, a student’s family income must be below ₹8 lakh per annum. While the scholarship is a lifeline for genuinely deserving students, it has become a magnet for fraudulent claims, particularly from the children of businessmen.

In my time at BITS Pilani, it was an open secret that many students availing of the MCN scholarship were not from low-income families. Instead, their parents—often businessmen—submitted fake income proofs to show earnings below the ₹8 lakh threshold. These documents were typically fabricated by colluding with chartered accountants or local authorities to underreport business income or claim fictitious losses. Shockingly, I encountered more cases of fraudulent MCN recipients than genuine ones. Students who arrived on campus with luxury cars, designer clothes, and the latest gadgets were often the same ones claiming financial hardship to secure the scholarship.

This rampant misuse of the MCN scholarship is not just a disservice to deserving students; it’s a microcosm of the broader tax evasion culture in India. By falsifying income proofs, these families not only cheat the education system but also deprive the government of tax revenue that could be used for public welfare. It’s a stark reminder that tax evasion is not a victimless crime—it undermines the nation’s ability to support its most vulnerable citizens.

The EWS Reservation: A Larger Canvas for Fraud

The fraudulent income proofs plaguing schemes like the MCN scholarship are not an isolated issue but a symptom of a deeper malaise that extends to national policies like the 10% Economically Weaker Section (EWS) reservation. Introduced in 2019, the EWS quota aims to provide educational and job opportunities to economically disadvantaged general-category individuals with a family income below ₹8 lakh per annum. However, just as businessmen manipulate income documents to secure scholarships at institutions like BITS Pilani, similar tactics are likely being used on a grand scale to exploit EWS benefits. Reports, such as a 2021 Indian Express investigation, reveal widespread issuance of dubious EWS certificates, often for bribes, allowing affluent families to claim reservations meant for the truly needy. This abuse not only deprives deserving candidates of opportunities but also siphons off public resources, mirroring the tax evasion tactics of those who publicly champion nationalism while undermining the nation’s welfare through deceit.

The Nationalism of Tax Compliance

The contrast between tax evaders and honest taxpayers is stark. While the former may wave the flag with fervor, it’s the latter who truly embody the spirit of nationalism. Paying taxes is an act of trust in the nation’s future, a belief that collective contributions will pave the way for a stronger, more equitable India. It’s a way for every citizen—whether a salaried employee, a small business owner, or a corporate executive—to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with soldiers, teachers, and public servants in building the nation.

To combat tax evasion and foster a culture of compliance, several steps can be taken:

• Strengthening Enforcement: The government must continue to leverage technology, such as data analytics and Aadhaar-linked financial tracking, to detect and penalize tax evasion. The introduction of GST and mandatory PAN reporting has already helped, but more needs to be done.
• Public Awareness Campaigns: Educating citizens about the direct link between taxes and national development can encourage voluntary compliance. Highlighting success stories—like how tax revenue funded a new highway or hospital—can make the connection tangible.
• Closing Loopholes: Simplifying tax laws and closing loopholes, such as those exploited in benami transactions or offshore accounts, can reduce opportunities for evasion.
• Celebrating Honest Taxpayers: Recognizing and rewarding honest taxpayers, as some countries do, can create a positive incentive for compliance. India’s “Taxpayer Pride” initiative, launched by the CBDT, is a step in this direction.

Conclusion

In a country where nationalism is often measured by loud proclamations and symbolic gestures, paying taxes stands out as a quiet yet powerful act of patriotism. It’s a way for every Indian to contribute to the nation’s growth, regardless of their profession or proximity to the border. Yet, the hypocrisy of those who evade taxes while flaunting their love for India reveals a deep disconnect between words and actions. From businessmen submitting fake income proofs to secure scholarships at institutions like BITS Pilani to politicians hiding wealth in offshore accounts, tax evasion is a betrayal of the very nation they claim to serve.

As India strives to become a global superpower, the path forward lies in fostering a culture of tax compliance. Every rupee paid in taxes is a brick in the foundation of a stronger, more prosperous India. So, the next time you file your taxes, take pride in knowing that you’re not just fulfilling a legal obligation—you’re performing the most nationalistic act an Indian can do. Let’s wave the flag, sing the anthem, and pay our taxes with equal fervor, for that is the true essence of loving our nation.