AM I AN INDIAN?

This Independence day, I decided to ask myself few questions?

Why am I an Indian, Perhaps,I don’t have any choice, I am born one. If Almighty Lord had consulted me on the subject I still would have preferred India, but requesting him to make it less crowded, less political, more democratic and more affluent.
Am I really a proud Indian? I think I am, As i love my country and I don’t intend to stay abroad other than holidaying and business trips. Contrary to this, I have little to be proud of what I am doing today, as I am hardly contributing to society, just selfishly working to achieve my own personal goals.

Then, Why don’t I get out and settle in some other country? Once again I squarely reject this notion. As most of the developed nations are white and harbor prejudice against all non-whites. In any case I feel more relaxed and at home in India.

I dislike few things in my own country, Mostly the Communal and separatist politics, which compels us to identify ourselves as Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs etc etc Instead of just being “An Indian”. On contrary I am looking forward to get into politics in coming years. I know politics is not same as country but surely its one platform from where you can sincerely contribute a lot.

Am I Indian first and Muslim second, Or is it the other way round? I don’t like the way these question are framed and if I am denied my culture or tradition I would refuse to call myself Indian. I am a Proud Indian, and a person with deep respect for other religions and Traditions. And even so I have nationalistic kinship with one who says I am Indian, Aggrawal and Punjabi, or Indian, Rajasthani or Hindu. I want to retain my cultural and linguistic identity without making them exclusive in anyway. This is what I consider as Freedom of Choice, which our constitution guarantees us.

I am convinced that our unambiguous diversity is our foundation as a nation. The moment you try to eliminate regional language in favor of one national language or religion in the name of some Indian philosophy, you will destroy the unity in diversity. Couple of times our Indian-ness have been challenged. In 1962 by Chinese, in 1965, 1972 and 2000 by Pakistanis, then despite our many differences of language, religion and faith, we rose as one and defended our country. In ultimate analysis, it is the realization of boundary that makes a nation; we have proved that we are one nation.

So, No matter what. INDIA is where I belong, and this is where I intend to live and die.
Jai Hind.