IDENTITY CRISIS
Posted by soumya iyer on Wednesday, December 1, 2010
I guess I am a sort of a hybrid personality. I don’t meet the definition of a South or North Indian. I don’t have a Madrasi accent but can’t speak more than 3 sentences in Tamil. Those who couldn’t resist their curiosity regretted having asked me for an explanation. Those 16 mark university questions don’t quite develop abilities to “answer to the point”. Born in Delhi, grew up in Gujarat but actually a Tamilian and perhaps looking for a Bengali bridegroom! Well that ought to complete the great Indian circuit! But these days these questions have got me thinking. Is this stereotyping or is this a mind boggling identity crisis for the present day youth?
Want to be a lecturer at MSU, Baroda?: Sorry Sir, first clear Gujarati Paper. Student from another state and want to join school?: Hey, Tamil paper compulsory. College student and got the form rejected? Well, you forgot the “community certificate”.
Which water reaches your home?: The one from Karnataka or the one from Tamil Nadu?. Couldn’t get justice in West Bengal High Court? : Simple, transfer the case to Uttar Pradesh. Working in Shiv Sena dominated area in Mumbai? : Quick, Start speaking Marathi! Expect incentives! Getting lost often on the streets because the roads have been grandly “renamed”? Superb South Indian Contestant in Indian Idol?: “Chance e ille. He won’t get votes”. Cricketer waiting for a call to the National team?: You should have played Ranji for State X. It would have been easier to get though the selections?!?
I start to if where I am from becomes more important than who I am. I guess I can be accused of being overly enthusiastic considering how diverse India is, but somewhere down the line I am sure most of you(Yes! the Youngistan) would agree with the idea of bringing about some uniformity in sectors of general administration, education, employment and talent appreciation. And if your reaction to this is, “Whoa! You are talking big things!”, then let me make it simple: If you are able to gather the gregariousness of a Sardar, the entrepreneurship of a Gujarati, the enthusiasm of a Marathi, the fearlessness of a Rajput, the artistic talent of a Bengali, the extra-ordinary resilience of a Keralite, the sobriety of an Oriya, the culture consciousness and intellect of a Tamilian, you become a true Indian – an Indian who knows no boundaries and demands respect all over the world .This mental uniformity is imbibed by being and observing people and places around and noticing certain salient and wonderful qualities in them. Uniformity in other sectors will eventually arrive.
Rehman’s music which knows no barriers, Shahrukh Khan’s embodiment of “ Indianness” in Chak De India (he allowed only players who said they represented “INDIA” into the field ) are like a whiff of fresh breeze in this muddled world. I am still in search of my identity…This time fortunately, I am not confused….. I am just hoping this breeze would sweep us off our feet and take us beyond narrow confines of language and state!!
Want to be a lecturer at MSU, Baroda?: Sorry Sir, first clear Gujarati Paper. Student from another state and want to join school?: Hey, Tamil paper compulsory. College student and got the form rejected? Well, you forgot the “community certificate”.
Which water reaches your home?: The one from Karnataka or the one from Tamil Nadu?. Couldn’t get justice in West Bengal High Court? : Simple, transfer the case to Uttar Pradesh. Working in Shiv Sena dominated area in Mumbai? : Quick, Start speaking Marathi! Expect incentives! Getting lost often on the streets because the roads have been grandly “renamed”? Superb South Indian Contestant in Indian Idol?: “Chance e ille. He won’t get votes”. Cricketer waiting for a call to the National team?: You should have played Ranji for State X. It would have been easier to get though the selections?!?
I start to if where I am from becomes more important than who I am. I guess I can be accused of being overly enthusiastic considering how diverse India is, but somewhere down the line I am sure most of you(Yes! the Youngistan) would agree with the idea of bringing about some uniformity in sectors of general administration, education, employment and talent appreciation. And if your reaction to this is, “Whoa! You are talking big things!”, then let me make it simple: If you are able to gather the gregariousness of a Sardar, the entrepreneurship of a Gujarati, the enthusiasm of a Marathi, the fearlessness of a Rajput, the artistic talent of a Bengali, the extra-ordinary resilience of a Keralite, the sobriety of an Oriya, the culture consciousness and intellect of a Tamilian, you become a true Indian – an Indian who knows no boundaries and demands respect all over the world .This mental uniformity is imbibed by being and observing people and places around and noticing certain salient and wonderful qualities in them. Uniformity in other sectors will eventually arrive.
Rehman’s music which knows no barriers, Shahrukh Khan’s embodiment of “ Indianness” in Chak De India (he allowed only players who said they represented “INDIA” into the field ) are like a whiff of fresh breeze in this muddled world. I am still in search of my identity…This time fortunately, I am not confused….. I am just hoping this breeze would sweep us off our feet and take us beyond narrow confines of language and state!!