reinforced those stereotypes. I could not stand that hypocrisy. Secondly, a man from a developing country like India never gets true respect in the West. No one openly insults you and the laws are same for everybody, but they never accept you as an equal member of their society. Personally you may be very competent but the burden of underdevelopment of your country is always on your shoulders. They never forget while evaluating you that ultimately you are an Indian, a person from the underdeveloped world.’ He was often hurt by the patronizing attitude of some Westerners he came across. They were clear that they were the ‘givers’ and you were the ‘receivers’. The ego behind their patronizing attitude was obvious. A self-respecting person like Joshi used to find it unbearable. The poverty in India regularly featured in Western media — Bangladesh war, millions of refugees living in camps, starving villagers, half-naked beggars and simultaneously a few Indians enjoying the best of the world, living in opulence that even the rich in the West would envy. ‘When so much is happening in your country how can your government afford to keep a competent person like you in Europe?’ one English officer asked him once. The hidden meaning was clear: Instead of enjoying life here, why don’t you go to your own country and try to solve problems there? As written earlier, Joshi always had harboured a dream of doing something grand. He concluded that finding the true cause of India’s poverty could be that fulfilling mission. Leelatai and the daughters were not supportive of his decision to return to India. But Joshi was firm and he resigned. Had he continued, he would have retired in 2001. Before actually returning to India he had done some research. For instance, a letter is available which he wrote in 66
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Sharad Joshi : Leading Farmers to the Centre Stage
