Entry in Q-Contest #14

Forward, and Backward

How did we get here?

AI generated image through author’s prompts

Growing up, I often wondered what the point was of learning so much history in school. It was always the kind of subject I memorized just well enough to fill answer sheets during exams.

Throughout my school years, I was taught about the history of my country, from the Indus Valley Civilization to India’s independence. In addition, we learned about Hinduism through two of its most important and revered epics — the Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

Back then, it didn’t make much sense to me why we had to learn so much about the past and how we ended up where we are today. Now, as an adult, I often find myself looking back at history and wondering whether humanity is truly progressing or simply repeating the same mistakes in different forms.

Every chapter of my country’s history has something to teach us. From the political intrigues that unfolded in the courts of kings to the brutality of conquerors, and even the period of colonization that followed the arrival of the British and the French, there is so much to learn and explore.

When the British first arrived in India, they came as traders through the East India Company. Few could have imagined that commercial interests would eventually evolve into political control. In Bengal, the British became deeply involved in local power struggles and played a key role in the events leading up to the Battle of Plassey.

Through alliances, negotiations, and the support of influential figures who turned against the Nawab of Bengal, they were able to secure a decisive victory. In many ways, it was not just British strategy but also the ambitions and rivalries within the region that paved the way for their rise to power in India.

The story of British rule in India is often told through the lens of exploitation, oppression, and the divide-and-rule policies that helped sustain colonial power. Yet, I want to turn our attention to a city that would become central to that story. Calcutta, now known as Kolkata, was transformed under British rule and eventually became the capital of British India, emerging as a political, administrative, and cultural hub of the subcontinent.

For all the justified criticism of British rule, it is hard to ignore the remarkable transformation of Calcutta during that period. Under British rule, Calcutta transformed from a cluster of villages into the beating heart of the empire in India. It became the center of administration, trade, education and innovation. People from across the subcontinent and beyond, including Chinese, Armenian, Jewish, and European communities, came to the city in search of opportunity.

Calcutta became a melting pot of cultures, ideas, trade, and education. A Chinatown thrived on Tiretta Bazaar, Indian coffee houses buzzled with ideas, and colleges, libraries, theatres, and printing presses shaped new minds. Trams rolled, telegraphs connected, and industries grew along the riverbanks. For many, Calcutta represented the promise of a new future, a place where people from different backgrounds could come together and become part of something larger than themselves.

It’s hard to imagine such rapid progress taking place in one city while much of the rest of the country was struggling with poverty and living under a leadership determined to exploit its people. One can’t help but wonder what might have been possible if that development had been driven by genuine intent rather than colonial interests. Perhaps we would have had many more stories like Calcutta’s to tell.

Humanity has a habit of undermining the very things that bring it prosperity. In my opinion, Calcutta’s decline serves as a reminder of how fragile success can be. A city that once attracted talent, investment, and ideas from around the world gradually lost much of its prominence amid political turmoil and economic stagnation. If we had paid more attention to the factors that helped the city flourish in the first place, perhaps we could have replicated that success elsewhere instead of watching it fade.

Today, when I look at some of the world’s most developed countries, I notice a similar pattern. People migrate to these nations with the hope of becoming part of a future that appears more promising. They come from every corner of the world in search of better opportunities, greater security for themselves and their families, and a chance to build a better life. In return, many of them contribute to the economic, cultural, and intellectual growth of their adopted countries.

The idea of the American Dream still resonates with millions of people around the world who hope to build a better life in the United States. For many, America continues to represent opportunity, innovation, and the promise of a brighter future. That enduring hope is beautifully captured in Neil Diamond’s song “Coming to America”, which celebrates the optimism that has drawn generations of immigrants to the country.

On the boats and on the planes They’re coming to America Never looking back again They’re coming to America

It makes me think that many of today’s most successful countries have flourished because they were willing to welcome talent from different cultures and backgrounds. They recognize that innovation and progress often come from people with diverse experiences and perspectives. Of course, every country has its own challenges and immigration policies, but the underlying idea remains the same. When people are judged more by their character, skills, and willingness to contribute than by their background, everyone stands to benefit.

If we look back at history, one pattern appears again and again. Many of the civilizations that flourished over long periods were open to people from different parts of the world. They embraced trade, welcomed new ideas, and were willing to expand their horizons rather than isolate themselves.

With so many examples throughout history of how successful societies were built, I can’t help but wonder how much we have truly learned from the past. Despite all the technological advancements of the twenty-first century, this should have been the era when humanity took a giant leap forward and began to see itself as one civilization, setting aside the petty differences that continue to divide us.

This century marks the moment when humanity finally comes together to fight its common enemies. We have eradicated hunger from the face of the planet, ensuring that no child ever again went to bed hungry. Epidemics became a thing of the past, and every life-threatening disease is either preventable or curable.

We learned to appreciate each other’s differences and share our resources in a way that maintained a healthy balance between humanity and the planet. People from every corner of the world came together to build a global space research center, extending humanity’s reach across the Milky Way. We united behind a common purpose, to build a sustainable future, not as separate nations, but as one civilization.

Sounds amazing, doesn’t it? I’m sorry to say that none of it ever happened. Sadly, we are still a long way from that future.

We Are Not There Yet

We have undoubtedly advanced as a species, but I’m not sure we have matured at the same pace as a society. We still have an instinct to view people who look different, speak a different language, or follow different customs as outsiders.

From the perspective of evolution, this distinction makes little sense. Animals living in different parts of the world adapt to their environments in remarkably different ways, yet we still recognize them as members of the same species. Humans are no different. Yet we continue to divide ourselves with labels such as migrants, immigrants, minorities, and countless others, often treating those labels as though they define a person’s worth or place in society.

We still have a strong herd mentality and are often willing to follow leaders without questioning them. It doesn’t take much for politicians to divide people, all it takes is the creation of a common enemy and a carefully cultivated sense of fear.

Instead of building a better world for the next generation, we continue to fill it with hatred and unnecessary wars. As long as war remains our preferred way of resolving conflicts, I can’t help but feel that, despite all our technological achievements, we are still carrying the mindset of the medieval age.