Regional Activism


“Isn’t’ she a Chinki?”… “No my dear friend she is an Indian, and to enhance your knowledge she comes from the North-Eastern states”, I tell grudgingly. The territorial movement of people within the country’s boundary has led to an intermixing among people of various ethnic, cultural and regional backgrounds. Bangalore, I consider, is a glaring example of this mixture. Being here you cannot avoid the hypocritical comments that people make with a displeasing air of superiority. The comments, based on a person’s attitude and behavior are generalized and targeted regionally. Belonging to the IT sector, which I consider is a well respected and  well educated lot; I was pained to see the degrading cliché’s that were doing the round for people of various regions.

“UP ka bhaiya”

“These Chinkis”

“The mean mean Bengalis”

“The show-off Delhi-ite”

“These abroad running Telgus”

“The shrewd and kanjoos Tamilians”

 

As if it was not enough to divide the country on the basis of religion and caste, we now have to get adjusted with this regional activism. If this is what the élan and so called sophisticated crowd of society talks about you can very well imagine the things happening down under.

 

Do we fail to understand what damage these generalized categorization may lead to? Or just avoid thinking about the implications. These stray remarks generally being overheard by persons of particular regions makes them writhe with discomfort. And a generalized similar backlash ensues. Frankly, who will take it casually? We belong to a particular region… and proudly flaunt it. Why should we not? Now you see how a casual remarks can cause more divide among the already fractured society. You may pride yourself in being a Delhiite, Kannadiga or whatever but it shouldn’t be at the expense of demeaning other regions.

 

The more we involve ourselves in this jibes the more fractured society we become. In this era of globalization, intermingling is the root word for co-existence. Please remember before digging into these jibes that we all are Indians first. If we cannot live peacefully with the country’s premises why talk so highly of globalization?

 

Maharashtra is a glaring example of similar sentiments. But before jumping to any conclusion about the state as a whole, do remember that there is no state in India with people of so many regions and backgrounds living together. This however doesn’t justify the deplorable violence that was orchestrated. This can happen to any state or region where such opportunities and similar workforce exists. So without instilling this attitude of peaceful co-existence similar acts will continue to light up our TV screens.  

 

If it looks difficult to avoid indulgence, as is our nature, go ahead and looking into brighter side of things create positive Clichés, for example,

“  Bihari: the hard working IITians or IAS”

“ Kannadiga: a peace loving person”

and lets hope

“ Gujrati: an example of secularism”.

 

How much my heart desires the last one to be true, not only for Gujrat but also for India? We have many mud-slandering people out there, eager to divide the nation into indefinite parts. Please rise to the occasion, behave like an Indian and respect the other Indians.

 

 


Comments

Unknown said…
nice thoughts....i really wish more people think this way
January 15, 2009 at 5:46 AM
Anonymous said…
Absolutely! I hope many many many more people understand this...
January 22, 2009 at 12:27 AM
Akshu shenoy said…
Truly.. I hope people start thinking as "We" as Indian , rather than "I" based on region!!
October 13, 2009 at 8:08 PM
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