About two decades back, when some Japanese-made Maruti spares used to be available, side by side the Indian ones, I was told by the spare parts dealer that the parts made in Japan were better than that produced in India. It supports the above contention. Similar difference may exist even in cases of other items where both imported and indigenous brands are available. Very common example is Cadbury’s chocolates.

In contrast, a study conducted by a British delegation during the pre-emergence of Japanese industry on its own -- when Japan was engaged in duplicating other products mainly -- found many of the Japanese duplicates better. I don’t remember all the items of the list. The only item I can recall is the Ronson lighter. They found the Japanese duplicate superior to the British original.

Whenever technology is transferred from higher level to lower levels some intangibles get lost during transition at the threshold -- the lower one not being able to absorb the advanced technology in its entirety. This is due to – my guess – attitudinal difference between the two cultures. Our casual outlook of “chalta hai” is not in sync with the requirement of technological framework. It is doubtful, those who are in the habit of jumping the red-light or breaking queue in nonchalant manner and those pseudo-scientists claiming Dornacharya as the first test tube baby in the human history, can ever match the standard. Our perfunctory method of work habit aggravates the process. It will be wrong to delink it with technological attitude. It is lost in the do-how stage.  This gap needs to be bridged for full assimilation and effecting further advancement. This is imperative if we are to play an emerging role under the globalized setting. Or else we will be lagging behind. Gloating over media hype will do us harm only.

 Now, Chinese products are ruling all over the world.  This is despite lots of complaints about food products and toys from around the world. Undeniably China is striving hard to reach to international standard. And probably, they are proving hugely successful. Within democratic constraints we need to re-assess our strategy.