I don't believe in being politically correct for it is only sophistication and suave; which is nothing more than subtle lie.
For zealots, please read no further for I am exploring as to how much of an Indian I am. I am embarked on an exercise which most take for granted and so this will shock your patriotic nerve. So read further at your own risk.
Premise 1: I don't see
Premise 2: What is the common shared heritage?
Definitely not language; it is one of the most powerful unifying factors and this country doesn't have one. More than religion and other divisions, language is great binder. I am a Tamil Brahmin and I am more amiable to a Tamil Muslim or Tamil Christian than a UP Brahmin!!! So what is true for me will hold true to most.
Hindi is a language more forced but as a language it disappoints; it does not have either the history or the splendour of royalty. It is just a trader's language with less than 500 years of existence. (again entirely my opinion and you might more likely have a different take).
So what we have is a hotch-potch of a nation?
Now let me consider my "Indian ness Index".
I have traveled far and wide in this country and these are my findings (for me).
a) I grew up in Andhra Pradesh and so they are mana vallu (my people)
b) I have a Tamil gene; so my inspirations will always be Thiruvallvuvar and not Kabir or Tulsi.
c) I believe AP, TN, Karnataka are a lot similar culturally and these 3 states can be one unit. At a personal level, I will only buy a property or a retirement farm in these states only and not any other. I can relate to the farmer there, read the local newspaper and join the tea fellow for gossip or intervene in a fight of the roads or exhort the bus driver. I can't do that in any other place in
d) Kerala has a distinct identity but still I can relate to it; Sabarimalai is there and so is Guruvayur. So there is at least a cultural ties here.
e) Then my tirth places are: Kadarnath, Badrinath, Rishikesh and likes. So these are again related to me in some form.
f) There is nothing in common with Rajasthan and MP; UP and
g) There is absolutely nothing to bind me to
h) Kashmir again is too far away; Vaishnovi and Amarnath is more a North Indian pilgrimage than a junta for a south Indian.
i) I cannot differentiate between a Chinese and an Assamese; so there is no connection here.
j) Bengalis look a lot similar to the Tamilians; there are culturally distinct and take pride in their heritage; so there is some commonality here.
So where does it leave me?
I am 50% Indian; I can stand
A country united by bollywood and cricket is indeed a weak adhesive; we need to use fevicol more often.
For those who argue that we must have an open mind to accept differences; then I can only plead it as an universal value. Personally I love the Arabs more than Tamils but I have enough intelligence to know that I cannot club the two.
A definition of a nation means that it is a homogenous race and yet distinct from its neighbours. True, people everywhere similarly struggle but we are on an exercise of Indian ness here. There is a sense of déjà vu about this land; very difficult to love and be patriotic even if determined. Just today's news: a MP slaps a bank manger, then 17 years for Liberhan to write a report on Babri, Siva Sena to protest naming the new bridge etc.
Interesting observations. Yet as someone who was born and brought up in Kerala and spent thirty one years in the North, travelled some , I feel there is a lot to this land that goes beyond the obvious differences like language , dress and food habits. I feel the more you travel and the more you directly interact with people other than your own state or country, the more and more one begins to shed the need or emotional compulsion to want to identify oneself with a particular cultural or national group. One begins to celebrate the differences, so to speak. Boundaries are only manmade. One can always cross them if one wants to.
Interesting observations. Will not say if I totally agree or disagree. It is correct partially. But what fun is living in a boringly monotonous country. Moreover, I think such things have more to do with personal experiences, as they say… Gross generalizations are always based on personal experiences. My first girlfriend was a TamBrahm and we connected wonderfully well, despite difference in food habits such trifles. I see things getting better and world getting ”flatter”, at least in the bigger cities and I find that a welcome relief.
oops. My comment got ”arrayed” wow. :))
Interesting observations. Will not say if I totally agree or disagree. It is correct partially. But what is the fun of living in a boringly monotonous country. Moreover, I think such things have more to do with personal experiences, as they say… Gross generalizations are always based on personal experiences. My first girlfriend was a TamBrahm and we connected wonderfully well, despite difference in food habits such trifles. At a broader level, I see things getting better and world getting ”flatter”, at least in the bigger cities and I find that a welcome relief.
and i find this v immature that one is just 50% Indian. I mean c”mon, what do you think, those americans have travelled across their own country - length and breath? WOuld they say i”m a 50% american because i cant relate to a certain region? Just because Kashmir is too far away, its not yours? or you cant relate to it? And then, you would be the same guy telling foreigners, “You have to see Kashmir to see paradise.” See, its normal to not relate to many regions, but that doesnt mean that you feel alienated. it’’s part of the same country you live in, there MUST be something there that you”d be proud of. If punjab embarrasses you, then it’’s also the land that feed millions of Indians. you cant say you cant relate to Punjab, therefore it’’s not part of your Indian-ness. You are connected to it, somehow, even if you dont like it. and m nt just defending punjab here, anyplace, maybe Bengalis. u said they are culturally diff, then who isnt?
umm…y such hatred towards punjabis? i mean, m nt retaliating here, just curious! i respect all other races, regions, castes, and perhaps, cz Delhi is a melting pot, i have been able to relate to all the people of India. there wasnt ever a loose end. maybe because when people meet, they talk about grandeur abt theur specific region. and it adds charm. India is diverse, so you cant expect the whole country to be speaking a common language or talking about same things. the most beautiful part is, in spite of being culturally diverse, we are still working as one unit. one doesnt say i”m a bengali, punjabu, tamilian or mallu wn he ventures out. you are representing your country, in your own unique way.