Here it is. Another Indian Independence day. Internet patriotism will go into an overdrive. Status messages will be put up. A hashttag will trend on twitter for a day to make celebrities out of ordinary people. Flags will be hoisted and waved. Notes ( like this one ) will be written. But then is this just another day in our calendar to play to the gallery? Or should it mean something more to be able to say you're truly proud of being an Indian?
Disclaimer- this is a spur-of-the-moment note. I haven't done any significant research on it but these thoughts merely stem from my observation and a deep-set anger that is geared towards the hypocrisy that most of us Indians have for our country. And according to me, you could be called a true lover of your country, only if you could claim to do all or most of the following.
Look beyond cricket! If you can't, at least support your 'world number 1' team when they've lost that title....They win a trophy and the whole country is united & the next moment their effigies are burnt the day they lose that status? Why do sportsmen have to owe it to their country to win a tournament and not play for the sake of a sport? Did you a bunch of girls from Jharkhand won a football match in a tournament in France, despite little funding and no hullabulla created about it?
Or that Jeev Milka Singh was an ace athelete before Farhan Akhtar played him.
Watch where you spit out that godawful paan, throw the plastic cup or sweep the kachra from your house conveniently into a corner into the road ''cos you know everyone does it, what difference one more makes''? Exhibit A:
Give that seat to the woman standing in the bus, before you chant that done-to-death redundant cliche 'ladies first'.( Really. ladies' first in what? In getting mentally & then physically raped on the road or for being discriminated against in every sphere of the social and professional system, while the world watches on in an almost sadistic helplessness. It's ironic how some Indian men lech at you, almost mentally undress you, on the roads, but go to a nightclub, and an Indian guy wouldn't have the confidence to walk up to you and strike up a decent conversation with a woman.
Before that incessant cursing of the politicians, 'Oh India/politicians is so corrupt', check within. You're a part of the corrupt ecosystem. When was the last time, you agreed to pay a chalan of 300 rs for jumping a signal versus 'settling it off' for a 100? Next time, just vote, or better still, contest the election. Get a seat in the system and earn that power to make a difference. It took just one Anna Hazare to move the government into action, a task daunting and unthinkable, hitherdo. Imagine if we could have even few more of such unselfish, revolutionaries in the country?
Before you go take that swanky vacation off to the alps or the USA, do go experience the beautiful diversity that India is. The lonely planet -India could wake you to such amazing facts about your own country, that you would leave you spellbound. ( It did to me, when an American friend of mine left his copy of it at my place) Also, the Indian tourism could really do with an internal boost. If still not convinced just watch any of those Incredible India ads.
Despite all the bad press it gets, incidentally India is one of the hassle-free, and cheapest places to travel around.
Sign-up for or at least respect the defense forces of India ( For the uninitiated- the Army, The Air force and the Navy). Inarguably the only people in the country who have earned the right to complain or celebrate being a part of this country. My respect to all you awesome, brave guys out there, putting your lives and visceral pleasures on the line, to save our ass, just so that we can complain about being a part of this nation ever after.
Serve the society, and not just because it's cool and will add value to your resume. I must have come across more white people than Indians, serving and doing great work in the social sector in India, in the most preposterous conditions and genuinely making a difference in a country that could do with it the most.
Appreciate and read up about things Indian- Indian Art, Indian music, Indian languages. ( How about learning some Hindi-or any other Indian Language- before prudly displaying an English Grammar Nazism for starters. for starters?) Indian clothes, Indian history and yes not to forget Indian education. That one year in the UK will get you lots of great pictures, but know what you'll still be considered a person from a '3rd world country ' out there and you will still come back here to get a job worth your stature and respect.
Do not trash talk your own country to foreigners to please the white ass! Really they'd respect the country and you a lot more, if you did.
You don't have to be proud of being an Indian today, if you are not, any other day.
It's dirty, it's polluted, we cheat, we don't value time, but it's our country. It's what makes us. It is what we make it.
Jai hind.
Disclaimer- this is a spur-of-the-moment note. I haven't done any significant research on it but these thoughts merely stem from my observation and a deep-set anger that is geared towards the hypocrisy that most of us Indians have for our country. And according to me, you could be called a true lover of your country, only if you could claim to do all or most of the following.
Look beyond cricket! If you can't, at least support your 'world number 1' team when they've lost that title....They win a trophy and the whole country is united & the next moment their effigies are burnt the day they lose that status? Why do sportsmen have to owe it to their country to win a tournament and not play for the sake of a sport? Did you a bunch of girls from Jharkhand won a football match in a tournament in France, despite little funding and no hullabulla created about it?
Or that Jeev Milka Singh was an ace athelete before Farhan Akhtar played him.
Watch where you spit out that godawful paan, throw the plastic cup or sweep the kachra from your house conveniently into a corner into the road ''cos you know everyone does it, what difference one more makes''? Exhibit A:
Give that seat to the woman standing in the bus, before you chant that done-to-death redundant cliche 'ladies first'.( Really. ladies' first in what? In getting mentally & then physically raped on the road or for being discriminated against in every sphere of the social and professional system, while the world watches on in an almost sadistic helplessness. It's ironic how some Indian men lech at you, almost mentally undress you, on the roads, but go to a nightclub, and an Indian guy wouldn't have the confidence to walk up to you and strike up a decent conversation with a woman.
Before that incessant cursing of the politicians, 'Oh India/politicians is so corrupt', check within. You're a part of the corrupt ecosystem. When was the last time, you agreed to pay a chalan of 300 rs for jumping a signal versus 'settling it off' for a 100? Next time, just vote, or better still, contest the election. Get a seat in the system and earn that power to make a difference. It took just one Anna Hazare to move the government into action, a task daunting and unthinkable, hitherdo. Imagine if we could have even few more of such unselfish, revolutionaries in the country?
Before you go take that swanky vacation off to the alps or the USA, do go experience the beautiful diversity that India is. The lonely planet -India could wake you to such amazing facts about your own country, that you would leave you spellbound. ( It did to me, when an American friend of mine left his copy of it at my place) Also, the Indian tourism could really do with an internal boost. If still not convinced just watch any of those Incredible India ads.
Despite all the bad press it gets, incidentally India is one of the hassle-free, and cheapest places to travel around.
Sign-up for or at least respect the defense forces of India ( For the uninitiated- the Army, The Air force and the Navy). Inarguably the only people in the country who have earned the right to complain or celebrate being a part of this country. My respect to all you awesome, brave guys out there, putting your lives and visceral pleasures on the line, to save our ass, just so that we can complain about being a part of this nation ever after.
Appreciate and read up about things Indian- Indian Art, Indian music, Indian languages. ( How about learning some Hindi-or any other Indian Language- before prudly displaying an English Grammar Nazism for starters. for starters?) Indian clothes, Indian history and yes not to forget Indian education. That one year in the UK will get you lots of great pictures, but know what you'll still be considered a person from a '3rd world country ' out there and you will still come back here to get a job worth your stature and respect.
Do not trash talk your own country to foreigners to please the white ass! Really they'd respect the country and you a lot more, if you did.
You don't have to be proud of being an Indian today, if you are not, any other day.
It's dirty, it's polluted, we cheat, we don't value time, but it's our country. It's what makes us. It is what we make it.
Jai hind.
4 comments:
Hi!
I bumped into this blog when I clicked on the wrong area of my g-Mail Page..
but, well, I found something interesting here, and a Fellow Thinker.
Good to know, there are others who ask these questions..
Every point is good apart from "Give your seat to a woman standing in the bus." I might be taking your point too literally but thats a fact. At time everybody says Women and Men are equal , the next moment , special privileges for women are sought for. Why is that? I just dont get it. Agreed Indian male mentality sucks big time but not all are bad. And yes, if someone is raping you mentally in the cafe/on the road/anywhere, you have all the right to thrash his balls (of course mentally). My word- Stop cribbing, stand up, and actually believe in the fact that men and women are equal.
great blog! It has come at a time where I almost quit reading blogs! Great to see such passion and genuine anger! Hope people who read this receive your ideas and leave the tone of the write up!
Write bout 26 jan now
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