"Why I'm embarrased to identify my Indian roots-Why I won't live among Indians"
I'm embarrased and ashamed of my origin "Being Indian" A secular nation in words and yet when it comes to practicality so condemned in allowing each religion it's space A nation that's so proud of it's culturally enriched heritage & yet fails to remember it has been influenced by various races & cultures, both HIndus & Moslems A nation who identifies her "Father" as the one who epitomizes indiscriminate non-violence & yet this very nation kills its own Yes I'm emabrrassed to indentify my roots as being a part of this nation Yes, there is no humanity in this so called humane land and there will come a time when because of the petty thoughts that exist among her children she might yet again be enslaved I will not expose my children to this land of discrmination, we're all better human beings, being far away!
RE:Comments on the article''Why I won't live among Hindus''
by seem kacker on Jun 08, 2006 10:39 PM Permalink
Mr. Kanekar, Mr. Kumar, & Mr.Menon, It took me a while to read your responses to my comments on "Why I won't live among Hindus". Sure disparities occur in all regions & countries of the world but what I was expressing in my comment was the disparity that tears a country apart, disparity that inhibits a country from allowing itself to achieve to its potential; petty internal disagreements that will not allow a common man to progress or live his daily life-That's what I'm talking about! The country is yet again debating an issue applicable, "quotas!!" How can one honestly believe & justify that talent & skills be promoted or curbed based on the section of society you belong in? Missed opporunity for those who deserve it becomes a missed opportunity for the nation as a whole;after-all it's the people who make the nation & build the economy. That's the disparity I was referring not an isolated one. & yes I don't live in India and no I'm not married to a "white man". A man is a man, a woman a woman be it white, hispanic, or asian, doesn't really matter!
RE:Comments on the article''Why I won't live among Hindus''
by DKumar on Apr 21, 2006 02:33 AM Permalink
Hey Seema,
Look! you can find people practising descrimination everywhere. Please do not tell me that it's not happening in wastern countries. I do not think that I should remind you rioting in France and Australia. The racial profiling is pretty official and they are more concerned about muslim than anybody else.
As far as not exposing your children to this land of descrimination, it's your decision. You are probably married to a white guy and so, you can do that. Renouncing anything is not a solution. There are thousand of people trying to improve their society. Please do not spit on their face. The difference is that you are running away and several people are staying behind and trying to make it better.
RE:Comments on the article''Why I won't live among Hindus''
by Srikanth Kankekar on Apr 18, 2006 10:25 AM Permalink
Seemaji,I dont know which country you are living presently but you need to accept a universal truth that there is discrimination all over the world.Even in US you see that Blacks and Latinos live in separate colonies.There is racism in most of Europe and lest we talk about Middle East.Practically we cant have perfect people in this world.But yes,as Indian we have accomodated many cultures and religions and compared to many nations we co-exist peacefully.As you are not staying in this holy nation you have no right to critise it based on a single incident.People like you have no moral ground to comment a great and diverse culture like India, staying some where far from it.If you are really embarraseed and pained by this incident you should take the initiative,come here and try change the mind set of those handful of people. You will never know what your children are missing by staying away from a great nation.But surely they are exposed to bankrupt ethos of Western civilization.Thanks for your concern.
RE:Comments on the article''Why I won't live among Hindus''
by Raghunath Menon on Apr 21, 2006 06:03 PM Permalink
Hi,
Even today India is far better when compared to other nations especially Asian nations as regards to the tolerance of different ideas religion and languages.Just look around and observe other countries before jumping to the conclusion that I should feel ashamed abut my roots.Just see how the shia brothers are being killed by the Sunni's in Pakistan.How the various tribes in Afghanistan are fighting it hard among themselves.How Israel and palestine is fighting it out.How the Great US has attacked Iraq and the way they treat the prisoners the reports of which were there in all the leading newspapers.I have many many more examples to quote.If a person finds a locality in Mumbai where a particular community is not allowed,then there are many other localities where all of them are living peacefully which noone will highlight.You should really feel ashamed of not your roots but about ur ill conceived notions ,false pride and lack of understanding of your motherland.
RE:Comments on the article''Why I won't live among Hindus''
by seema kacker on Jun 08, 2006 11:18 PM Permalink
Just one more comment Gentlemen, if we're really talking about one isolated incident! Ilive in an average apartment complex, just like the case cited, and yes my origin is Indian, one of my neighbor is Japanese, another one, Hispanic, yet another, a Korean, & let's not forget my Caucasian neighbor! So my point is, when I filled out my applicatin to live in this apartment building & when the others did, too, we were not isolated based on our origin. We live in harmony & haven't once judged each other based on somthing we have no control over, our origin of birth! I'm talking abou the average people here, gentlemen, the majority. Think about it real carefully!
and if you found the "muslims are not allowed" thing shocking.. then my friend... you were woefully outta touch on mumbai's atmosphere.
There are many muslim localities where hindus are not welcome.... similarly there are localities where muslims are not welcome... ditto with gujjus,veggies-non veggies, outta state people...etc..
High lighting the mumbai scenario is like highlighting jus a fraction of a country ....
hindu Mobs looking out for muslims in 1993.... you can find muslim mobs looking for hindus in hyderabad/aligarh etc... where muslims are in large number... this is common... where there are people... there is a religion... when theres a religion... there are fanatics... on all sides...
better get used to it.. this is india... and the only way out is the "WAY OUT" of india...
religion/reservation/population....this ...tat.. all this is gng to lead to very backward country....
The foundation of our indian society is based on its multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-religious outlook. The framework of 'Unity in Diversity' has reflected in our history, in our struggle for freedom.
But what happened post independance? I think we indians have forgotten the theme of india. No other country in the world has such cultural, linguistic and religious diversity than our motherland.
Why the HATE Philosophy then? Why do we divide our own brethren in the name of religion or language. Co-existence has been the champion of our struggle for freedom and has contributed the most in our development as a nation. But why the riots? Why descrimination?
I think its high time that we come back to our basics. Leave aside the differences and talk about the similarities. This will bring hearts together.
Ashraf, Plz understand that building a correct mindset and a nation is not an overnight job..you need to be vigilant. And why be so pessimist abt one experience? Plz open your eyes and move around the nation to find that jumping to conclusions like these is pretty easy but grossly unjust and potentially dangerous.Like all those learned urban people, who have unfortunately, learnt too many words and who keep thinking that, they know it all.. you too need to see our villages and other smaller cities first, where, thankfully, things are much better and there is no over enthusiast one like you to jump to conclusions.We are much much much much much better than any south asian nation where one cant even speak such lines..and yes,as Indians, we also and we must need to improve a lot. But, for that you and me need to work and change any wrong mindset around with positive vigour. You HAVE TO clean dishes everyday before taking fresh meals in them.Right ? So, dear freind, PLZ DONT THROW HALF BAKED TRASH IN PRECIOUS SPACES LIKE THESE. India needs optimists and Indians.. not those who are just hindus, muslims or whatever. Sorry, for being blunt.Thanks.
A very Fair and practical picture of Indian Hospitality has been given here by author. Even though many approach has been applied on the discrimination front..the fact is rich will always Supress poor. Leave alone religion, caste, community and creed.. the rich is accepted in any form across the Indian Spectrum. So looking from economic perscpetive..the author would have easily found a flat if he would've been a Rich Indian than a middle class Indian.
My view is as people become wealthy the differences at the face level will subside...even though at the root level it will take time to see that seachange.
Until then lets uphold the positive side of our secularism.
I am sad to read the story and do believe this is still a ground reality even in bigger cities.It seems Mumbai is worse off than Delhi in this regard have read stories about Non Veg. not being allowed to live in certain colonies.
I know of friend not being given accomodation in Banaglore as they were not Brahmins!!! Sadly laws can not help you in this it is socitey issue.
What is even worse is that media has all the space for meaningless articles like "Crore has no value" describing how 50000 famalies have more than 1 crore income and 1 crore is no figure now, but no room and initiative to write problem like these.
I have travelled a lot across the world and have seen lot of Indian's complaining about discrimination in certain countries/cities fact of the matter is Indian's are amongst the most racist lot.
It is time that we as society start addressing this and media also helping in a constructive manner.We need to address this issue and enjoy & love our diversity. It is diversity that makes India what it is a great country!!
I know your experience is at par with many others in our nation, though I personally never had any such experience to such an extent. Its truly sad that we who claim to be such a nation that respects all faiths, do not actually do so. Claims are always tested in times of troubles and that's where most of us fail. I don't blame any particular community as such, but that's the general trend all over our nation. Of course there are a few exceptional examples of wonderful people, but the majority truly has to change a lot. Let's hope that people try and examine their own lives and bring a change, and its they themselves are the ones who need to realize it, as there's no one else who's concerned about such matters anymore, no politician, hardly any social organization too. We have become more of hypocrites, isn't it? Those who only claim, but never practise anything.
