Some people after reading this post may swallow my thoughts with a pinch of salt.
I am in a country which can proudly call itself being truly global and secular with the highest acceptance level of hundreds nationalities and several religion.OK lets for once ignore the comments made by the President about middle-class Indians -which has drawn enough criticism for the lousiest comment made by a world leader- and some psychic fanatics whom i chose to ignore too.I am talking about people generally.I have neighbours from Mexico,Puerto Rico,Kenya,Tanzania,Pakistan,Iran,China,Japan,Korea, and probably more whom I haven't yet got introduced.Its amazing how every nationality acknowledge and accept each others presence so graciously even if it is on a non-personal level.But my spirits most of the times really fall low, when I see some of my fellow Indians who somehow are so much in awe of being in the West that they practically start feeling that they are "a little above the other".No I am not saying all are like this but a sizable number of Indians do have this unnecessary "snooty attitude".When I walk into a Walmart I have more non-Indians wishing an extremely enthusiastic Hello than my fellow Indians.In fact there isn't even a single Indian who has ever smiled back to me when I have given them an acknowledging smile- forget about saying hello.And other times, my smile or hello is received and responded with a doubtful smile or look.
I want to ask them at that point if there is something wrong with my smile or you don't like my face maybe!
A few months back I went out for lunch with my class mate whom I met after 12 years.Incidentally her room-mate a fellow Indian turned up in the same restaurant, and we were introduced.Guess what response I got - a shabby and disinterested Hi and a face turned away.I was aghast!If this was the kind of room-mate she has, God save my simple hearted friend.Well later I overheard the "roomie"chattering away with her American friend in a funny accented yankee English which made me laugh.By the way I later got to know that she apparently considers herself an American since she has been in US for about 6 years- post her college, and she finds it degrading to make Indian friends.And she has moulded herself completely into the American lifestyle.Congrats!Another Indian Born Confused whatever....Now there are certain typically Indian womanly traits in her which I should not be discussing which somehow contradicts her American moulding.On the other hand my friend later had a new American room mate who came all the way to see her perform Kathak dance in an Indian Community festival, and sat with us for long to discuss the dance,food and culture of India.
Similarly I was out with lunch with a common friend who is an American and she was too keen to learn the art of wearing a Saree.But to my dismay there was an Indian woman in the group who proudly claimed she didn't know to wear one.
I wonder what is the thought process that goes behind this kind of a psyche?What is it that my friends from India achieve by trying to ignore associations with their roots, specially before their American friends?Its amazing how most nationalities looks up to India- for its traditions,art,culture- and how my dear friends choose to ignore their existence in order to fit in.I do understand people who may have been born and brought up in this country may not be able to associate themselves,but these are people who have strong roots in India, and are completely different people when they are among their families back home.Don't they ever question - "who am I " and "Shouldn't I be respected for what I am - instead of faking to fit in"?Why is that the pressure of fitting in makes them lose their self-identity?Why is it that the other nationalities have succesfully fitted into this country keeping their identities intact?I am probably the nth person to ask these questions.
Will a pleasant smile and a genuine "Hi How are you" cost them their dollars?I have gathered that there are two groups of Indians here.The ones I am talking about, and the ones who are still the same people in spite of being here for ages and citizens of this country.The saddest part is the second category of rooted people often are advised by the first category to change themselves!
Its really sad that a chunk of Indians choose not to define India to be their roots.The irony on the other hand is being from India and following the Indian ways, and culture- is considered pretty cool.Trust me my neighbour and my common friend and lot many people I met- from this country have showed deep interest in Indian recipes,yoga, the art of wearing Saree, festivals and many other things.
Our country today is a global brand, and I feel pity for these people who are yet to update themselves with this fact!
People,open your eyes,soon your condition may be like the Dhobi's....let me not say more.
As it is people don't like my face to even give a grin,and if someone happens to read this- would probably not digest my presence!
God save them, and me!
..till my next post- take care and Jai Hind!
-CHATS
I have heard "Live for others" but what I really like to believe is "care for self, if you want to live for and love others".No what I don't mean by this is that you should be self-centred and selfish.What I am talking about is caring about your self - physically,emotionally and mentally.
