Sunday 24 January 2016

BEING AN INDIAN: here and there

(NOTE: Don't worry. There is neither nothing negatively political here, nor will it go against your philosophy of being an Indian.)

One. The world around seemingly oscillates between truth and illusion, and that's why people are bound to ignore the little truths. There are already too many political parties in the country, and serious minds must remember them; in the process, they forget the list of grocery items they are asked to buy. Now, this becomes the reason for weekend husband-wife strife or kitchen strikes. However, the end result is ever cute. The husbands must now please their High Commands, and love blooms again, although through efforts more painful than sizing a strictly circular roti.
Two. Tea-stalls are warming places in this country. They host evening get-togethers; be it the souls who belong to under-30 or officers who enjoy their retired 60s, a cup of tea from Ramu or Miran's tea-stall is more of a classical living requirement. Plus, the samosas dipped in wild Indian chutneys add to the gathering. And this tea-stall is where a youngster learns to light his first cigarette amidst disturbing airs, and a newly wed friend is teased in love, where an old one narrates the list of do's and dont's of his daughter in-law or a young poet finds his inspiration. This post salutes the men who run these tea-stalls, which is why we have found a way to unite despite technology taking over mind palaces.
Three. Weddings are beautiful, but none can dare to compete with an Indian wedding. Men are sometimes too influenced by what has been prevalent, and acts contrary. Many oppose big fat weddings because they feel change must be brought to celebrating weddings. But the question is: why a change when a big fat wedding does not break any sensible rules? Is it because traditional seems bad? Or has the West again played its part on minds?
Whatever be the reason, unless Indian stoves get a chance to prove their might, and gulabjamuns are served on plates amidst dances and music, (and gun shots), a wedding is just so freakish! And these weddings have been the most successful real sites for future matrimonial relationships, and must have beaten online matrimonial/dating centres, taken into account the long ages these have been through. Families search for bride and grooms in these marriage parties, and the chain goes on, almost each big wedding being the first meeting point for many couples (Indian television is a testimony).
Four. Car. Buying a family car is a dream for every one. That is the reason why we had odd-even trial and created so much fuss about the increasing number of vehicles. Never mind. The search for buying a new car starts from advertisements on television; sometimes, it is the result of demand of kids or 'wifey's. No matter what, buying one's own car, however small it may be, is an Indian dream. The search for a car often tempts people to pay a visit to their relatives or friends, and discussing on the type of car they should buy. In fact, features are better explained by friends than the attendant at the car showroom. This event of buying a car is special for everyone, and in the process, many learn that friends are the best benefits. Kudos!
Five. Everyone dreams of living in a country that one is proud of. Science and society make a civilization. We have lost one, in the shadows of invasions- a civilization that was the richest and the best, where science found its roots in Nature through the Vedas and Ayurveda. We have unknowingly lost intelligence stolen from the fires of ancient Universities and teaching shelters, fires which could not be stopped- fires which have burned down our roots in what we were best, that is, being humane.
Intelligence is foolishness when vague. We know of only social evils in our textbooks, done to women in the British eras and even today.  But were those prevalent in the days of the Golden Sparrow? May be...or may not be!
Whatever be the reason, there is something moral in realizing that we are still the best, only we need to discover ourselves. We are a country of saints and scientists, of kind and tolerant, and so, there is an urge to know us as a whole, not as sections of people bound by castes and religions. 
If we can derive life's most joyful moments from discussion, tea-stalls, weddings and cars, we can, of course, derive joys from unity these provide. Let little things remain as little and important; not big and suffocating! That's what being an Indian is! That's what this short piece is all about! 
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This blog post is inspired by the blogging marathon hosted on IndiBlogger for the launch of the #Fantastico Zica from Tata Motors. You can apply for a test drive of the hatchback Zica today.

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