We, India and Us

I have been in Korea for more than an year now, and we have almost covered all the places of interest, historic or otherwise. These days we are trying to find places out of Seoul and I know that few of us would be interested. I sometimes wonder, that week after week we have trying to explore Korea and its treasures. However sitting perhaps in Delhi normally we would not have carried out such expeditions. Once in a while we do go out but its not a behavior we display every weekend!!

In fact, sometimes I wonder why we do not land up exploring our own country and whats hidden for us to uncover ourselves. In fact our geographical knowledge or intent to know about other states, people and their customs are extremely debatable.

For most North Indians the South means from Madras(Chennai) and perhaps they would not know the difference between the Tamils, Andhraites, Kannadas and Keralites. This would be applicable to the languages they speak, the food they eat, the dress codes and especially how different they are in their own way.

If you start talking about the people from the South it does not get any better. They would not know the difference between the people of Rajasthan and say Uttar Pradesh!!

I come from Bengal, and for us its very simple. The whole of India is classified into a) Bengalis, b) Non Bengalis, c) South Indians. The "b" could now be sub divided based on language and race. The Bengalis are extremely satisfied themselves with this structure and care a damn about the actual situation.

The seven sister states on the extreme eastern side -- some people I am afraid would not be even able to name all of them!! The other day a few colleagues over a drink were discussing NEFA. A knowledgable colleague mentioned with confidence that its a city in Assam!!! To save the sinner, I did not interject to correct that NEFA (North East Frontier Agency) was a Union Territorry and later it was christened into a state(province) named Arunachal Pradesh with Itanagar as its capital!!

On a random basis if I ask the name of the river perhaps passing through Vijayawada to somebody from the North, I am not likely to get a correct response. Similarly perhaps if I quiz somebody from Vijayawada about whats the famous river dissecting Sikkim and then joining the Ganges, the outcome would be the same.

I am not proposing that we should be in a situation where we are know alls but overall I think the situation is far from encouraging. I mean we have all gone to schools and colleges and I guess we have some respect for those institutions and the learnings we have been imparted with.

Coming to manners and behavior I am appalled at the way we think and behave not only in our homeland but also in foreign environments. Being open minded, accepting other cultures is perhaps a big issue with us. This syndrome is true even inside our own country and I don't beleive that three corporate trainings(a trend nowadays) can change the way we think and behave.

My piece is perhaps very negative, and I am sure there would be other people in the world with similar patterns of thought and behavior. But I am not satisfied with that excuse. The worst part is that I am not sure about you too!!! Sphere: Related Content