United Colours of INDIA!!

 

28 states, 7 union territories, 428 languages and over a billion people; think of it and one seems to believe that the force binding all of them together in a country called INDIA would by far surpass the gravitational force exerted by the sun in the solar system. We often proclaim unity in diversity and pride ourselves for being a part of the country with a rich cultural diversity. But is this feeling of pride just restricted to a few days, say the republic day or the Independence Day. To be really honest things around me make me believe that we have been trying to camouflage the rift within quite well. I might be wrong in my thoughts, and would be happy to be in this case, but the incidents that I mention subsequently have churned my mind; and I think it has of yours at some point of time.

 

It has been over 50 years of Indian Independence and almost the same number of years when Hindi was chosen as the national language; a language that would unify the entire nation. However, even today when a person who doesn’t speak Tamil goes to Tamil Nadu and talks to any normal person in Hindi, say the rickshaw driver, he isn’t looked upon well. They would prefer to have people speak to them in English but not Hindi. Tamil Nadu has still not accepted Hindi as a national language. The government in Tamil Nadu is more connected to the Sri Lankan Tamils as against the other Indian Nationals. Take the example of the communist government in West Bengal, which is pro –china, inspite of the war that was waged by them. The entire principle of Karl Marx on which the party was aligned has been diluted in the race to power.

 

The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena, which considers itself to be the mouthpiece of people from Maharashtra; was nowhere seen when the attacks of 26 November happened in Mumbai. Mumbai is a melting pot and not a part of an organization run by an individual. It has seen unprecedented growth because it had people and the best talents coming from all across the country together. So with what face does this organization has the right to proclaim the state to be freed by people belonging to other parts of India. The NSG’s who came to the rescue operations were from different parts of India, especially the North. Major Unnikrishnan, who died fighting, was not a native of Maharashtra. But after a lull these disrupting brigade seem to have surfaced again with agitations against all useless things. If they really feel they would want to make a difference, make it in a positive way. Help the needy, serve the poor, educate the masses and liberate people of poverty and hunger, uplift the society. I think they are nowhere close to doing this. The reality shows have contestants pitching themselves based on the regionalism and not talent. The winners of a few talent hint programs are indicative of the same.

 

There is groupism which has also percolated into the office culture. If the boss is a Kashmiri, the subordinates from Kashmir can expect to be better favoured as against the others. There are groups formed within the office. It is nothing wrong to celebrate the festivals, meeting up but them politicising the environment by grouping is something wrong. This groupism was also a major reason why the Britishers were able to capture India and rule for over two centuries. It helped them play the policy of divide and rule. This policy is still being practiced in India; only the ones doing it have changed.

 

With all these things happening around, I fail to understand how we can call ourselves united when in reality our hearts lay divided!!