Close to three decades I have been on this sub continent called India. Most people call it the melting pot of cultures, so full of diversity , color and peculiar Indian- isms.
There are many things I love and appreciate here, especially the ability to rise like the phoenix and face situations that could lead to dire consequences, in a calm and composed manner. Be unperturbed by crowds not just jostling for space but literally intruding into everything personal like it is their very own business :) Not rely one bit on anything that is remotely connected to the "government, system" as mostly they are non existent and make life run on your own. For example, power cut, so what, no reliable public transport, so what, no public toilets, so what, no hygiene, so what! I can manage and so I find every other country, mostly, a haven where life is made so easy and comfortable by great systems that do exist! (Hard to believe:))
BUT, there are few things that I think are so inherent to this culture that it makes me revolt from within. The apathy towards humanity is appalling. I know that they do rise to the occassion when there is a natural or terroristic disaster, but otherwise!! Shoving around is like second nature, poking fun at innocent bystanders is normal, petty gossip is a way of life (and when the same people face each other, they are the best of friends), double- standards and hypocrisy, where do I even begin?!! There is no genuine mutual respect whatsoever.
Life here is mostly a sham. Only a handful will lead truthful lives. The others create a very shimmery surface and want others to believe that's who they are. Knowledge is never explored to its depths, skim the top and you think you are the master. No wonder we hardly get any Nobel prizes!
Cleanliness and hygiene are alien ideas. Even if it is practiced, it is limited to one's surroundings and public places are treated as garbage bins. Impunctuality is the order of the day. Disrespect towards rules is considered a sign of showing one's muscle power. To impress "foreigners" is a hobby and generally being super suspicious towards fellow Indians is the norm. Also, I might add, every other nation in the world is inferior to "Mother India", we want to impress upon the foreigners that you are blesssed to have gotten an opportunity to deal with an "Indian" and make sure to thank me for this all your life!
Where do I even begin with child-rearing?! Every parent thinks their child is a genious, brimming with talent and intelligence, waiting to be tapped! And one small criticism, oops did I use the C word!! What I mean is one simply should not try to "change" or "interfere" in other's childrens' behaviourial patterns. They are all born with the right to be who they are and will fall flat on their faces when they grow up to face realities they never knew existed.
I have to confess that I am guilty of some of the above -isms, but I feel, it is first important to acknowledge that they exist and then one can go about dealing with that. Mostly Indians don't even want to acknowledge. Hum jaise hain, waise hain!! (We are how we are!)
There are many things I love and appreciate here, especially the ability to rise like the phoenix and face situations that could lead to dire consequences, in a calm and composed manner. Be unperturbed by crowds not just jostling for space but literally intruding into everything personal like it is their very own business :) Not rely one bit on anything that is remotely connected to the "government, system" as mostly they are non existent and make life run on your own. For example, power cut, so what, no reliable public transport, so what, no public toilets, so what, no hygiene, so what! I can manage and so I find every other country, mostly, a haven where life is made so easy and comfortable by great systems that do exist! (Hard to believe:))
BUT, there are few things that I think are so inherent to this culture that it makes me revolt from within. The apathy towards humanity is appalling. I know that they do rise to the occassion when there is a natural or terroristic disaster, but otherwise!! Shoving around is like second nature, poking fun at innocent bystanders is normal, petty gossip is a way of life (and when the same people face each other, they are the best of friends), double- standards and hypocrisy, where do I even begin?!! There is no genuine mutual respect whatsoever.
Life here is mostly a sham. Only a handful will lead truthful lives. The others create a very shimmery surface and want others to believe that's who they are. Knowledge is never explored to its depths, skim the top and you think you are the master. No wonder we hardly get any Nobel prizes!
Cleanliness and hygiene are alien ideas. Even if it is practiced, it is limited to one's surroundings and public places are treated as garbage bins. Impunctuality is the order of the day. Disrespect towards rules is considered a sign of showing one's muscle power. To impress "foreigners" is a hobby and generally being super suspicious towards fellow Indians is the norm. Also, I might add, every other nation in the world is inferior to "Mother India", we want to impress upon the foreigners that you are blesssed to have gotten an opportunity to deal with an "Indian" and make sure to thank me for this all your life!
Where do I even begin with child-rearing?! Every parent thinks their child is a genious, brimming with talent and intelligence, waiting to be tapped! And one small criticism, oops did I use the C word!! What I mean is one simply should not try to "change" or "interfere" in other's childrens' behaviourial patterns. They are all born with the right to be who they are and will fall flat on their faces when they grow up to face realities they never knew existed.
I have to confess that I am guilty of some of the above -isms, but I feel, it is first important to acknowledge that they exist and then one can go about dealing with that. Mostly Indians don't even want to acknowledge. Hum jaise hain, waise hain!! (We are how we are!)
No comments:
Post a Comment