This is the 63rd time. Time us up again to see the sunrise of a special new day, enjoy the holiday and revisit some good old topics, mostly hot for the politicians and media: talks on achievements, failures, promises, claims and criticisms and comparing India with other nations – these are the routine rituals of different tribes of the Indian Diaspora on this day,August the 15th!
People either admire us or criticize India for so many political parties. But people forget that India is a nation which in true spirit is an emblem of ‘Unity in Diversity’, where people speak most number of languages and perhaps practice most number of religious and cultural traditions. So no wonder now and then, Indians face challenges with the identity. I think most people of Indian origin have an inherent sense of identity, but don’t find it easy to express it in words. Sometimes the words confuse people more. So, are you an Indian, Hindustani or Bharatiya, or an Indo/Indian something (add here the national identity of the country of your birth or residence)?
The Constitution identifies the country as: ‘India, that is Bharat’. India is not the only one having two different names. I’m not talking about just the Romanisation of the names and different languages using different names in their own way – I’m talking about multiple names used by the people within. Japan is a prime example of this. But India has at least 3 names, including Hindustan. So which identity is the best one?
India speaks in several thousand dialects and 23 constitutionally recognized major languages. In the Constitution one would be surprised to see the list of names used for the country! Of course the word and is dominant, but in Kashmiri it is called , in Tamil and in Urdu it is . Apart from India, people around the world use the term Hindustan as well.
When you attend a cultural event you may put on your favorite desi dress. In the corporate world, you don the best suit or dress, mostly western. But if you went to an Independence Day celebration anywhere in the world, what would you wear? Well, does it really matter?
We are too familiar with the oft-quoted ancient vision of the Indian seers ”Vasudhaiva kutumbakam” the entire universe is one family’; and yet sometimes we ignore our own brethren in times of need. Many remind us the age old criticism of Indians for lacking community spirit and a support structure. I think things have changed; there is a wave of cooperation and support. I am not sure if Swami Vivekananda, if he was alive today, would painfully admit that we suffered from the ‘Crab Syndrome’!
Recently there was a debate over the identity of the American President Obama. He identifies himself as an African-American, though his mother is white. When asked why he is stuck with his identity, he answered: ‘Since people know me that way, I don’t need to run away from that, I’d rather embrace it!’ So, are you an Indian (people outside India may add the hyphenated part of your national identity: Indo-Caribbean, Indo-British, IndianAmerican), Hindustani or Bharatiya? OK, I am with you: It depends! Yes, it depends on the individual, on your past experiences, upbringing, experiences and emotions culture towards the country and the context. One can always rethink about the best name one wants to be identified with in this new era of globalisation, especially when others are eager to learn about India, its culture and people, more than ever before. So at least all people of Indian origin can be united with the feeling that all are connected and any name which gives that connectivity to the country, the heritage and the people is fine, right?And while we explore and find our true names and identities, let freedom reign everywhere; on every person young and old, every nation especially the ones ruled by authoritative regimes and every race on earth. Because that is the essence of the celebration and that is the ‘of our human civilization! Bharat Bharatiya Hindustan Intiyak ku iyaracu Jumhûrîyat-e Bhârat Vasudhaiva kutumbakam raison detre
