Today's Hindu newspaper dated 29 April 2007 was more than disturbing. On one side was an article on" Prof.Lokanathan" a victim of an insane person who ruthlessly killed 33 persons. Another an interview on Dr.Atul Gawande, one of President Bill Clinton's health policy advisors. Though this was not exasperating like the news of Prof. Lokanathan there is something common in both-Exodus of intelligentia from the native soil It is a sad to note that this country cannot accommodate creative intelligent independent thinking people. At home they are strangulated by mean petty nasty politics.Don'tgrow and let not other's grow is our policy. Our illiterate, intellectually starved and physically obese politicians try to outline the country's future. As an honest citizen please tell me, would ever one Gawande or Lokanathan think of giving his intellectual inputs to an alien nation, had we as nation provided a congenial environment to their intellectual pursuits. We may feel happy to read about the contribution of an Indian surgeon, computer professional,a space scientsit to NASA. I hear people bragging about the Indian brain behind the launching of rocktes to Mars, Jupiter etc etc. But at home we are busy talking about unworthy issues like RESERVATION. Why at all reserve? Let everyone compete and let the meritorious get their due. Many of our hospitals are full of"Doctors on Reservation"-which means belonging to reserved category. Some of them fail to comply with the bare minimum knowledge the profession demads. I have seen such doctors free in their cabin while some few, on whom the patients impose faith is being burdened with round the clock hectic work. To accept our limitations and to recognise and respect the calibre of somebody needs mental strength. We as a Indians are a spineless lot. None of us have the courage to stand up for issues that are worthwhile. WE might have HAD. Then "Had" is past tense. WE don't seem to HAVE is a reality. Of late we are parenting a generation which finds solace in "Burgers and Co-Cola" and will be more happier to remain as beggars in a country called U.S.A. kanaka