Should we start teaching Mandarin to our kids?

After seeing spectacular closing ceremony at the Beijing Olympics and feeling the vibrations of Chinese drummers; one question we need to ask; how did China managed to put together such a spectacular show? And what it means to the rest of the world?

One thing is sure; China didn’t build this overnight; there is a hard work of 7 years (It was decided in July-2001 that China will hoist these games), there is a meticulous planning, spectacular management. Entire China has been preparing for this moment.

Let’s reflect on how China and USA have spent last seven years; China has been preparing for Olympics and USA has been preparing for al-Qaida. China has been investing in sports infrastructure/nation building and USA has been investing in installing metal detectors and security processes. I am not saying, what USA was/is doing wrong, probably it was required to fight terrorism. And as a country USA was supposed to respond to 9/11.

But, results are there to see for all of us. Lets look at the infrastructure China has built up, super speed electromagnetic trains; ultra modern airports, spectacular high-ways and great industry revolution. On the contrary USA seems to have missing the ‘Nation Building’ activities; for which America has been famous for.

For argument, we can say, though cities have good infrastructure; but rural China is like old; lacking proper facilities; in fact no one knows more about how China is! But point I am making is; under the banner of 2008 Olympics, China started a domestic revolution and a nation building process and I am sure; they will only stop when entire nation building process is complete. Now they have a proven process in hand.

I think, entire world need to take a note of it; though it is too early to say any thing. There could be a competition to US in technology, engineering, education and infrastructure.

It might be a good idea to start teaching Mandarin to our kids! Probably they might have to go to China to see future as we are seeing our future in US!

Who knows?