I don’t view pride as a laudable emotion although when it’s a response to creditable achievements it is, at least, understandable. But when it’s not, it appears arrogant and ungracious, it can prove to be self-defeating and, often, leave you looking ridiculous. Sadly, all three is the case with India’s refusal to accept international aid in response to Kerala’s devastating floods.
Now I know this is a policy that stretches back to the Manmohan Singh government’s response to the 2004 tsunami. It was also implemented during the Uttarakhand calamity of 2013. So it’s been India’s practice for the last decade
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