BRAZIL: Similarity with India

“Countries can have policies made, not just in self-interest, but in mutual interest. Emerging nations cannot sit and wait for beneficial concessions from the richer nations. Accords such as these should not substitute international relations with developed countries, but complement them”. These were the words of Lula da Silva (now ex-President of Brazil) after his arrival in Rashtapati Bhavan, New Delhi almost four years ago.

I couldn’t help but notice, while in the process of completing this project that Brazil and India have stark similarities. Let’s divulge in it more.

Both the countries fought for democracy, have parallel socio-political stratification and the geopolitical stature they share as pivotal states are also alike. Above all, about 50% of population is the process of emerging. Even though their per capita income is higher than that of India’s, the later has projected to become the fourth largest economy by 2025 while Brazil doesn’t lag too much behind at the eighth position.

The two countries have analogous problems too; India has 70 million people suffering in poverty and Brazil has 50 million. When in power Lula reinforced the family grants program, Bolsa Familia (assistance package) which encouraged participation of citizens for development in healthcare and education. Indira Gandhi too initiated the Garibi Hatao (remove poverty campaign) in India.

They both also have hugely underdeveloped regions; the northern states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh in India and the nine northeastern states in Brazil. Emerging young and massive population between the age of 15 and 25 also gets them united, with 54% in India and 47% in Brazil, making the future prospects bright.

Kerala, that is situated in the southern strip of the geography in India claims that it has more than one aspect to bond with Brazil, fascination with football being the foremost. Their everlasting love for soccer progresses with Brazilian footballers being a household name in Kerala, especially Pele’. Also, Kerala was the only national television channel that telecasted matches of Brazil in the World Cup of 1986.

It was from here that the Portuguese collected and introduced pepper, tapioca, pineapple to Brazil and brought rubber, one of the most important cash crops of Kerala to the state. They are also the major coffee producers and exporters of the world and host charismatic carnivals. High literacy rate, amalgamation of various ethnicities, cash crop cultivation and the obsession of football bind the two territories together.

Presence of various groups and races having a mixture of diverse cultures also make them alike not only in Kerala but in the whole of India. Not to forget, both the countries at the time being have a women President which indicates the rise of women in society over the years.

It is important that the two countries learn about each other’s struggle to rise above. Efficient democracy and trained manpower resources is the key. Including every single person in the path of growth is ideal; as both nations have mammoth population (180 million in Brazil and 1 billion in India) it is essential to turn the cons around positively.