Reddit reviews Wings of Fire: An Autobiography of APJ Abdul Kalam

> this post makes the argument that the cutting of
> thumbs is a misinterpretation

I too looked it up, and it seems that you (and others) are right.

"... Gandhi recalled this incident on hearing that the British government was treating the use of the spinning wheel as a crime: 'It would not be for the first time in history. During the East India Company regime, spinning or weaving had almost become a crime. The labour of these artisans were so cruelly suppressed that they were obliged to cut off their own thumbs in order to avoid imprisonment. Many speakers mix up facts and say that the Company's servant cut off the thumbs of artisan. In my opinion, such cutting off would be less cruel than the terrorism which resulted in self-mutilation.' ... Gandhi is of the opinion that the East India Company's servant did not cut off the thumbs of the artisans, but the artisans did so themselves, out of sheer terror of being captured by the company's agents."

(Source: Khadi: Gandhi's Mega Symbol of Subversion).

> This is one argument to counter your claim
> that the West is sabotaging India.

Actually, it is not an argument. It is a fact. Please read Wings of Fire. It offers an insight of india's space and missile programme and how the west actively tried to sabotage it by outright denying technology or with threats of sanctions. Or this article describing how and why the US blocked India from acquiring Cryogenic engines for its rockets.

My point is, we are not pissed at the west for doing this. We understand that it's just politics.

> I'm saying that, in recent decades, India
> has been seen by the West as an ally ...

Oh, definitely. Unfortunately there is still a lot of trust deficit.

Many in India do not consider the USA to be a trustworthy ally. Many in the USA look at us suspiciously because of our friendly relation with Russia. The USA continues to supply weapons to Pakistan knowing very well that it will be used against India (India and Pakistan have fought 4 wars). India blocks many trade pacts of the US (or its allies) that it believes would just give the west an undue monopoly or advantage in trade over developing countries. We are founding members of BRICS, an organisation - composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa - formed to counter western countries economically. The US wants us to be a part of US-Japan-Australia coalition to counter China (and perhaps even Russia). And so on ...

Interesting times ahead for India and USA ... :)

Recommend this to anyone who has not read this:

http://www.amazon.com/Wings-Fire-Autobiography-Abdul-Kalam/dp/8173711461