I remember a boy in school who strutted around like he owned the playground.

He pinched smaller boys, hid their tiffin boxes, pushed them off the swings and generally behaved like the uncrowned king of the place.

Then one day a giant of a boy from another school landed up for a sports meet.

Our bully disappeared faster than free samosas at a political rally. Not only did he not bully anyone that day, he smiled politely at everybody.

Funny how bullies become saints when they meet a bigger bully.

Which is why I have been scratching my head over reports and claims coming from our northern borders. Today’s report in a national newspaper says, that areas claimed by India are steadily slipping under Chinese control. Many areas like Oying, Paniar, Marpan, Potrang and Tindingdang, have been occupied by China’s army.

Border villagers have raised concerns.

Politicians like Subramanian Swami are asking uncomfortable questions.

Yet from those who usually thunder from every platform, there seems to be a strange silence.

If these reports are true, why are we so quiet?

Now before somebody accuses me of wanting a war, let me say I do not. Wars are fought by young soldiers while old politicians wave from balconies. Nobody in his right mind wants war.

But surely there is something between waving a white flag and waving the national flag.

Perhaps we are afraid.

And if we are, then I understand. China is no small neighbour. It is a giant. Standing up to a giant takes courage.

But then a wicked little thought enters my head. Are we not doing exactly the same thing inside our own country?

How brave we become when dealing with minorities. How bold we sound when those with less power are involved. How quickly we pass laws, make speeches and flex our muscles before people who cannot answer back. How secure our the weaker sex in our country?

Yet when faced with someone much bigger than ourselves, like China, suddenly the volume comes down.

It reminds me of a neighbourhood fellow who roared at the stray puppies every morning, but quietly crossed the road whenever the neighbour’s German Shepherd appeared.

Strength is not measured by how loudly you shout at those who cannot shout back.

The strength of a nation is seen in how fairly it treats every citizen. A country that protects the weak, respects every community, honours its women and stands by justice develops a confidence that no foreign power can easily shake.

Bullies are never really strong. They merely borrow courage from somebody else’s weakness.

A truly strong nation has no need to bully anyone because it already possesses something far greater.

Character.

And nations with character seldom remain bullied for very long…!

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