That morning was just like any other, I was in my office checking my mails when I suddenly heard a sob from my next cubicle, It my my colleague. I locked my system and went to inquire . She kept repeating "What can I do? I am Tamilian".Is this the reason for her crying, I wondered. I was shocked to hear about her experience earlier on her way to office by office bus. A couple of people stopped the bus, beat the bus driver and took the vehicle keys. They then entered the bus and started shouting slogan in Kannada in support of Hogenakkal Dam. They cursed the Tamilians and asked all Tamilians in the bus to get down and leave the state. Nobody has any guts to reply to them. They kept abusing Tamilians. After around 10 minutes suddenly some policeman appeared from nowhere and instead of arresting the goons he asked the employees to collect money to pay as ransom to the goons and get rid of them. All the guys in the bus who were eduated IT Professionals agreed without any retaliation and collected Rs. 200 and saved their lives.
This incidence made me question the state of my country. What happened to India? What happened to the pledge that we were repeating every day starting from the first day at school? All Indians are my brother and sister. Did we lose the brotherhood? Instead of fighting against causes like terrorism, we are fighting over water and state boundaries. Earlier it was Hindu-Muslim problem and now it is cross state fights. Who is responsible? Our religion? Our 'sanskar' or our love for state?
I cannot forget my visit to Beijing recently which has left a lasting impression on me. I was walking to the hotel one evening when I saw a group of senior citizens dancing on some music in an open public place. I stopped by to watch them. When I was about to leave, one old lady from the group came up to me, wished me “Ni Hao” (Hello) and holding my hands she offered me to join them in the dance. I tried a few steps with them. Two people from different countries, culture and language communicated through the language of dance. It was an amazing experience. I danced for an hour with the group. I could only meet them twice before I left for India. We had a blast without even knowing each other’s name. This experience made me think of the war between India and China in 1962. If I could get bonded with the Chinese without even talking to them, then how could we fight a war? How could we be enemies? Aren't we human beings first? If there is nothing wrong with the people when people does not want to fight then why Tibet is burning? What are we fighting for? And why? And for whom?
Another incident happened to me few years back when I was traveling to Nagpur from Mumbai Though it was winter time, Mumbai was as usual, a bit warm so I didn't carry any winter wear for my journey. I tried to sleep at night but could not because of sudden drop in the temperature. Finally I slept around 4-4:30AM. Thanks to my alarm, I got up when the train was approaching Nagpur station and to my surprise I found myself wrapped in blanket. I folded it neatly and climbed down to my seat from the upper birth. One person in his 50s asked me, “Beti Tabiyat to thik hain na?” (How is your health child, Hope you are fine). I wasn’t sure why he was asking about my health. I realized when he pointed me to the blanket I was holding.
He told me that when he got up for his Namaj and found me shivering in the night, he spread one of the extra blankets he had on me. I felt a little embarrassed since I was trying to ignore that guy, and then thanked him. Did he help me because he thought I was a Muslim? Did he think about my religion? Or did he just help a girl who was uncomfortable?. I think it was compassion for other human beings.
I want to know when boundaries do not stop two people from being friends and if religion does not teach you to fight with each other, then why are we fighting? Is India really progressing? Does economic growth, GDP growth, rupee appreciation make India complete? Don't we want to concentrate on the major issues that burn the GDP and making it weak?
We must fight against racism within ourselves and only then will India become powerful. Every human being must protect the freedom of other human being.
Let us pledge once again, “All Indians are my brothers and sisters”.
This incidence made me question the state of my country. What happened to India? What happened to the pledge that we were repeating every day starting from the first day at school? All Indians are my brother and sister. Did we lose the brotherhood? Instead of fighting against causes like terrorism, we are fighting over water and state boundaries. Earlier it was Hindu-Muslim problem and now it is cross state fights. Who is responsible? Our religion? Our 'sanskar' or our love for state?
I cannot forget my visit to Beijing recently which has left a lasting impression on me. I was walking to the hotel one evening when I saw a group of senior citizens dancing on some music in an open public place. I stopped by to watch them. When I was about to leave, one old lady from the group came up to me, wished me “Ni Hao” (Hello) and holding my hands she offered me to join them in the dance. I tried a few steps with them. Two people from different countries, culture and language communicated through the language of dance. It was an amazing experience. I danced for an hour with the group. I could only meet them twice before I left for India. We had a blast without even knowing each other’s name. This experience made me think of the war between India and China in 1962. If I could get bonded with the Chinese without even talking to them, then how could we fight a war? How could we be enemies? Aren't we human beings first? If there is nothing wrong with the people when people does not want to fight then why Tibet is burning? What are we fighting for? And why? And for whom?
Another incident happened to me few years back when I was traveling to Nagpur from Mumbai Though it was winter time, Mumbai was as usual, a bit warm so I didn't carry any winter wear for my journey. I tried to sleep at night but could not because of sudden drop in the temperature. Finally I slept around 4-4:30AM. Thanks to my alarm, I got up when the train was approaching Nagpur station and to my surprise I found myself wrapped in blanket. I folded it neatly and climbed down to my seat from the upper birth. One person in his 50s asked me, “Beti Tabiyat to thik hain na?” (How is your health child, Hope you are fine). I wasn’t sure why he was asking about my health. I realized when he pointed me to the blanket I was holding.
He told me that when he got up for his Namaj and found me shivering in the night, he spread one of the extra blankets he had on me. I felt a little embarrassed since I was trying to ignore that guy, and then thanked him. Did he help me because he thought I was a Muslim? Did he think about my religion? Or did he just help a girl who was uncomfortable?. I think it was compassion for other human beings.
I want to know when boundaries do not stop two people from being friends and if religion does not teach you to fight with each other, then why are we fighting? Is India really progressing? Does economic growth, GDP growth, rupee appreciation make India complete? Don't we want to concentrate on the major issues that burn the GDP and making it weak?
We must fight against racism within ourselves and only then will India become powerful. Every human being must protect the freedom of other human being.
Let us pledge once again, “All Indians are my brothers and sisters”.
