We pay in diamonds...

People talk about the colonial-era Britain robbing the wealth of India. But where was 'India' before the British?

The Indian sub-continent was divided. The British came and unified it. In its unification they sowed the seeds of their downfall.

A united India directed all its energy against its colonial masters. The creation turned against the creator. But as the creator (the British) beat a hasty retreat they took away the perceived wealth of India including one of the world's most famous diamonds: the Koh-i-noor.

Since then there have been demands for the return of Koh-i-noor by India and Pakistan.

But why do we want it back? I think the diamonds and other precious jewels they took should be considered as payment for uniting the country (among other things like the English language because of which India is doing so well in the service sector). A diamond sitting in a museum gathering dust is no way any better than a unified India with a strong and vibrant economy.

The way you pay the barber after getting a haircut or the doctor after getting a check-up I think it is fit that we pay this 'fee' to the British for uniting India.

:)