Here it is. Another Indian Independence day. Internet patriotism will go into an overdrive. Status messages will be put up. A hashtag 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?
Type "we are Indian..." at Google. And no it's not Google being racist. The search results are based on the most common queries searched.
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? Apparently cricketers owe it to their country to win a tournament and not play for the sake of a sport. Did you know a bunch of girls from Jharkhand won football matches in a tournament in France, despite little funding and no hullabulla created about it?
Or that Milkha Singh was an ace athlete ad an Olympian 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 'cuz, 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 chalaan of ₹300 for jumping a signal versus 'settling it off' for a 100? For every cop you think is just out there to rob you, the drunk, traffic-violating you, there is the poor 8-k-a-month earning cop putting his life on the line, to show you directions or even drop you hope on his bike when you're helpless. (has happened with me)
One of my friends from work started this website "Political Vedanta" categorizing all the politicians & leaders of the country. One step towards awareness, another towards action.
By all means, take that swanky vacation, do the African Safari or and check out the Statue of Liberty ; the world should and needs to be explored. But do go experience the beautiful diversity that India is. Ladakh could make the Swiss Alps blush, Rajasthan could show the British Queen a thing or two about royalty and Miamis could learn the art of' Susegaad from Goa. 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. Check this brilliant Quora thread:
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, while my Indian friends choose to to play golf & laser tag instead.
I remember this time I was collecting funds for a flood-relief drive for Uttarakhand flood victims and same people who proudly instagram a ₹400 HRC burger shied away from giving a 100 citing "but you never know who the money goes to".
Appreciate and read up about things Indian- Indian Art, Indian music, Indian languages. ( How about learning some Hindi-or any other Indian Language- before proudly displaying an English Grammar Nazism 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? Unfortunately, you will most likely 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.
( Today is "Dress Indian" day at work. None of the men in my team followed the theme. Except one.
The white guy from Zurich office wearing a splendid red kurta!
You don't have to be proud of being an Indian today, if you are not, any other day.
A great ad on things that define us.
Jai hind.
Type "we are Indian..." at Google. And no it's not Google being racist. The search results are based on the most common queries searched.
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? Apparently cricketers owe it to their country to win a tournament and not play for the sake of a sport. Did you know a bunch of girls from Jharkhand won football matches in a tournament in France, despite little funding and no hullabulla created about it?
Or that Milkha Singh was an ace athlete ad an Olympian 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 'cuz, 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 chalaan of ₹300 for jumping a signal versus 'settling it off' for a 100? For every cop you think is just out there to rob you, the drunk, traffic-violating you, there is the poor 8-k-a-month earning cop putting his life on the line, to show you directions or even drop you hope on his bike when you're helpless. (has happened with me)
One of my friends from work started this website "Political Vedanta" categorizing all the politicians & leaders of the country. One step towards awareness, another towards action.
By all means, take that swanky vacation, do the African Safari or and check out the Statue of Liberty ; the world should and needs to be explored. But do go experience the beautiful diversity that India is. Ladakh could make the Swiss Alps blush, Rajasthan could show the British Queen a thing or two about royalty and Miamis could learn the art of' Susegaad from Goa. 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. Check this brilliant Quora thread:
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.
I remember this time I was collecting funds for a flood-relief drive for Uttarakhand flood victims and same people who proudly instagram a ₹400 HRC burger shied away from giving a 100 citing "but you never know who the money goes to".
Appreciate and read up about things Indian- Indian Art, Indian music, Indian languages. ( How about learning some Hindi-or any other Indian Language- before proudly displaying an English Grammar Nazism 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? Unfortunately, you will most likely 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.
( Today is "Dress Indian" day at work. None of the men in my team followed the theme. Except one.
The white guy from Zurich office wearing a splendid red kurta!
You don't have to be proud of being an Indian today, if you are not, any other day.
A great ad on things that define us.
Jai hind.
3 comments:
This is amazing, it says so much about how we have conditioned ourselves!
I guess that is just 'your' Google..
I believe that is 'your' Google..We aren't as cheap, late and idiotic rather we are smarter :D
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