Karan Thapar | India’s grim reality out in the open as myths busted Published Apr 30, 2021, 4:50 am IST Updated Apr 30, 2021, 4:50 am IST It wasn’t so long ago that we convinced ourselves we are a superpower or, at least, one that’s definitely in the making Relatives and family members perform last rites during mass cremation of COVID-19 victims, at Swar Rekha Ghat cremation ground, in Ranchi. (Photo: PTI) It wasn’t so long ago that we convinced ourselves we are a superpower or, at least, one that’s definitely in the making. We believed the evidence was long and compelling -- the world’s largest democracy, the sixth biggest economy, a 1.38 billion-strong domestic market, excellence in IT and the West’s back office, an unbeatable cricket team, the home of Bollywood, one of the most successful diasporas and, of course, a Prime Minister on first name terms with all the world’s top leaders. The RSS was convinced this was because we are a Hindu majority nation. The BJP was more specific. It was because of Narendra Modi.