Comments on: What it means to be an Indian? http://silenteloquence.suryaonline.org/2005/07/28/what-it-means-to-be-an-indian/ Silence. Eloquence. Everything in between. Tue, 09 Mar 2010 10:32:42 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Proud Indian http://silenteloquence.suryaonline.org/2005/07/28/what-it-means-to-be-an-indian/comment-page-1/#comment-109855 Proud Indian Sun, 02 Nov 2008 17:42:56 +0000 http://silenteloquence.suryaonline.org/2005/07/28/what-it-means-to-be-an-indian/#comment-109855 proud to be indian proud to be indian

]]> By: Webster http://silenteloquence.suryaonline.org/2005/07/28/what-it-means-to-be-an-indian/comment-page-1/#comment-107528 Webster Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:45:20 +0000 http://silenteloquence.suryaonline.org/2005/07/28/what-it-means-to-be-an-indian/#comment-107528 could someone tell me how difficult is it for a singaporean to understand an indain? could someone tell me how difficult is it for a singaporean to understand an indain?

]]> By: tascha007 http://silenteloquence.suryaonline.org/2005/07/28/what-it-means-to-be-an-indian/comment-page-1/#comment-74873 tascha007 Thu, 13 Sep 2007 16:28:47 +0000 http://silenteloquence.suryaonline.org/2005/07/28/what-it-means-to-be-an-indian/#comment-74873 damn this blog is cool... well i've lived in the the middle east, singapore, south korea and of course india. and when anyone asks me where i'm from, i say i'm an indian, but i live in such-and-such place. because where you stay may change but what you are is always the same. damn this blog is cool… well i’ve lived in the the middle east, singapore, south korea and of course india. and when anyone asks me where i’m from, i say i’m an indian, but i live in such-and-such place. because where you stay may change but what you are is always the same.

]]> By: Sangeetha Rebello http://silenteloquence.suryaonline.org/2005/07/28/what-it-means-to-be-an-indian/comment-page-1/#comment-73183 Sangeetha Rebello Wed, 15 Aug 2007 15:26:36 +0000 http://silenteloquence.suryaonline.org/2005/07/28/what-it-means-to-be-an-indian/#comment-73183 As an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) & TCK (Third Country Kid) I can honestly say that 'feeling Indian' just does'nt cut it in the real world. Quite frankly, as Madan put it " Indians outside India are more like Indians than Indians in India." But then it brings us back to the question of, what makes an Indian and Indian? Just because we don't speak Hindi (which btw is just one language out of 250 that Indians speak) don't dress in salwars & are not sure of the proper eating-with-hands etiquitte, does that make us less-Indian in what is supposed to be our Motherland? Non-Indians always find it strange when asking me about racism I've encountered I always answer back "by Indians in and out of India." Even living in the Middle East never brought about such blatant racism as a Punjabi can by talking down to you in Hindi or by throwing in the word "ferenghi." There is a certain kind of Indian that can make any Indian not brought up in India feel unwanted or out-of-place. Unfortunately for them, there are about 20 million of us living outside of India & no amount of racism, uplifting of brows when an NRI walks into a room, side-comments & whispers about the weird accents/haircuts/dress style, are going to stop THOSE Indians from feeling like an Indian. They DID feel excited when Aishwariyah Rai won Ms. Universe, they DID feel proud when Aziz Premji was Forbes 3rd richest man, they DO feel the awe & weight that carries when Lakshmi Mittal aquires another million $$ company. Personal choices to move across to greener pastures like our parents did in the 70's & 80's are now starting to change. Suddenly India IS the greener pasture. You can't exclude a certain kind of capitalist just because they wanted out to make a quick buck. Look at Indian now, look at those retail stores that are trying to stay open till midnight just so they can increase sales, increase expenditures, increase the standard of living in one of the fastest-growing economies of the world. So I don't speak with a proper south-indian accent, so I'm not sure what the capital of Uttar Pradesh is, so I still don't know how make dhaal the correct way or how to tear off a piece of chappati with one hand. Just because I don't shake my head from side to side or am not sure if you are saying yes or no when YOU do it, does'nt make me any less of an Indian. As an Indian from Kuwait who now lives in Canada and who will soon move to the United States, I will still consider myself an Indian who holds an Indian passport and I'd fight anyone who tries to take that piece of identification away from me! As an NRI (Non-Resident Indian) & TCK (Third Country Kid) I can honestly say that ‘feeling Indian’ just does’nt cut it in the real world. Quite frankly, as Madan put it ” Indians outside India are more like Indians than Indians in India.” But then it brings us back to the question of, what makes an Indian and Indian? Just because we don’t speak Hindi (which btw is just one language out of 250 that Indians speak) don’t dress in salwars & are not sure of the proper eating-with-hands etiquitte, does that make us less-Indian in what is supposed to be our Motherland?
Non-Indians always find it strange when asking me about racism I’ve encountered I always answer back “by Indians in and out of India.” Even living in the Middle East never brought about such blatant racism as a Punjabi can by talking down to you in Hindi or by throwing in the word “ferenghi.” There is a certain kind of Indian that can make any Indian not brought up in India feel unwanted or out-of-place. Unfortunately for them, there are about 20 million of us living outside of India & no amount of racism, uplifting of brows when an NRI walks into a room, side-comments & whispers about the weird accents/haircuts/dress style, are going to stop THOSE Indians from feeling like an Indian.
They DID feel excited when Aishwariyah Rai won Ms. Universe, they DID feel proud when Aziz Premji was Forbes 3rd richest man, they DO feel the awe & weight that carries when Lakshmi Mittal aquires another million $$ company.
Personal choices to move across to greener pastures like our parents did in the 70’s & 80’s are now starting to change. Suddenly India IS the greener pasture. You can’t exclude a certain kind of capitalist just because they wanted out to make a quick buck. Look at Indian now, look at those retail stores that are trying to stay open till midnight just so they can increase sales, increase expenditures, increase the standard of living in one of the fastest-growing economies of the world.
So I don’t speak with a proper south-indian accent, so I’m not sure what the capital of Uttar Pradesh is, so I still don’t know how make dhaal the correct way or how to tear off a piece of chappati with one hand. Just because I don’t shake my head from side to side or am not sure if you are saying yes or no when YOU do it, does’nt make me any less of an Indian.
As an Indian from Kuwait who now lives in Canada and who will soon move to the United States, I will still consider myself an Indian who holds an Indian passport and I’d fight anyone who tries to take that piece of identification away from me!

]]> By: Valini http://silenteloquence.suryaonline.org/2005/07/28/what-it-means-to-be-an-indian/comment-page-1/#comment-60544 Valini Fri, 09 Feb 2007 17:55:37 +0000 http://silenteloquence.suryaonline.org/2005/07/28/what-it-means-to-be-an-indian/#comment-60544 KP's definition touched a chord the most to me. My grand parents migrated to British Guyana from Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, and I have felt hurt when Indians from India exclude me because we carry all the Hindu traditions and values that they brought with them still. We have never intermarried to any other race either. I identify with all the things KP said below, and I know in my heart that I am Indian. It is nice to see that many people here recognize the core of what it means to be Indian too. Thank you for making me feel belonginess, which has been rare among many. ---------------------------------------- Have you felt pride when an Indian man becomes the 3rd richest man in the Planet? Do you feel proud to learn that All western countries think India would be a major global power in the next few years? Does it hurt you when some westerners portray india as a country full of snakecharmers and mudeating urine drinking savages? Overall, do you want good for India because you consider it YOUR HOME? If yes, then you are an Indian. Even if you dont think it, even if you dont like it at times, somewhere deep down you FEEL thats the truth. Hence my definition, If you feel Indian, then you should be one… (this allows for all future migrants) And if you dont, you shouldnt. By kp on 08.22.05 3:11 pm KP’s definition touched a chord the most to me. My grand parents migrated to British Guyana from Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, and I have felt hurt when Indians from India exclude me because we carry all the Hindu traditions and values that they brought with them still. We have never intermarried to any other race either. I identify with all the things KP said below, and I know in my heart that I am Indian. It is nice to see that many people here recognize the core of what it means to be Indian too. Thank you for making me feel belonginess, which has been rare among many.
—————————————-
Have you felt pride when an Indian man becomes the 3rd richest man in the Planet? Do you feel proud to learn that All western countries think India would be a major global power in the next few years? Does it hurt you when some westerners portray india as a country full of snakecharmers and mudeating urine drinking savages? Overall, do you want good for India because you consider it YOUR HOME? If yes, then you are an Indian. Even if you dont think it, even if you dont like it at times, somewhere deep down you FEEL thats the truth. Hence my definition, If you feel Indian, then you should be one… (this allows for all future migrants) And if you dont, you shouldnt.

By kp on 08.22.05 3:11 pm

]]> By: heartforindia http://silenteloquence.suryaonline.org/2005/07/28/what-it-means-to-be-an-indian/comment-page-1/#comment-38100 heartforindia Wed, 11 Oct 2006 12:57:55 +0000 http://silenteloquence.suryaonline.org/2005/07/28/what-it-means-to-be-an-indian/#comment-38100 Hi Surya, I think your posts are very interesting I am a Punjabi from S'pore. I definitely think I am Indian. I think it is unfair to say that Singaporeans or Indians outside of India are not 'real' Indians. Alot of it depends on your upbringing. Infact, my mum was born and raised and educated there, coming here only after getting married. We still go visit our grandparents and other relatives regularly. Sometimes I even feel guilty for not identifying myself fully with the sporean culture coz I actually feel very happy when Miss India wins Miss World/ Universe or when some Indian makes it big.You guys blame us for not knowing how to speak fluent Hindi..again think abt it..u have been living in a country where most of the population is chinese..go to schools where the language is nonexistent..at home...some families speak n some don't..some mixture..it is really different from living in India where everyone on the street knows the language and they are all indian..like for us my mum likes scolding in hindi..haha..has more effect i guess..though both parents do pepper sentences with punjabi n hindi...then theres hindi movies..that we have watched since young. One thing I have to say from what I have noticed..Indians from India are the most unadventurous lot when it comes to food..they dont mind eating bad indian food rather than good chinese food.. Dont mean to offend.but i have found this to be true... sometimes I think Indians outside India are more 'indian'than those living there...Indians from India do try to ape the west...well these are just my obervations, i am sure there are exceptions to what i have said. Hi Surya,
I think your posts are very interesting
I am a Punjabi from S’pore. I definitely think I am Indian. I think it is unfair to say that Singaporeans or Indians outside of India are not ‘real’ Indians. Alot of it depends on your upbringing. Infact, my mum was born and raised and educated there, coming here only after getting married. We still go visit our grandparents and other relatives regularly. Sometimes I even feel guilty for not identifying myself fully with the sporean culture coz I actually feel very happy when Miss India wins Miss World/ Universe or when some Indian makes it big.You guys blame us for not knowing how to speak fluent Hindi..again think abt it..u have been living in a country where most of the population is chinese..go to schools where the language is nonexistent..at home…some families speak n some don’t..some mixture..it is really different from living in India where everyone on the street knows the language and they are all indian..like for us my mum likes scolding in hindi..haha..has more effect i guess..though both parents do pepper sentences with punjabi n hindi…then theres hindi movies..that we have watched since young. One thing I have to say from what I have noticed..Indians from India are the most unadventurous lot when it comes to food..they dont mind eating bad indian food rather than good chinese food..

Dont mean to offend.but i have found this to be true… sometimes I think Indians outside India are more ‘indian’than those living there…Indians from India do try to ape the west…well these are just my obervations, i am sure there are exceptions to what i have said.

]]> By: Ummm? http://silenteloquence.suryaonline.org/2005/07/28/what-it-means-to-be-an-indian/comment-page-1/#comment-37746 Ummm? Sat, 07 Oct 2006 11:29:56 +0000 http://silenteloquence.suryaonline.org/2005/07/28/what-it-means-to-be-an-indian/#comment-37746 No,we Singaporean Indians do not wish to be associated with you guys. No,we Singaporean Indians do not wish to be associated with you guys.

]]> By: contd http://silenteloquence.suryaonline.org/2005/07/28/what-it-means-to-be-an-indian/comment-page-1/#comment-1511 contd Sat, 03 Sep 2005 11:12:44 +0000 http://silenteloquence.suryaonline.org/2005/07/28/what-it-means-to-be-an-indian/#comment-1511 Rather than reacting emotionally, I'd advise you to have an objective view on the matter. When you open your mind to reason, you feel free. Let the free thought prevail(along with free trade)!!!! Just because you have been indoctrinated with all the nationalistic stuff since childhood, you are not bound to be enslaved by those. >>What I find really strange is that through the sands of history, millions and millions of people have died based on “meaningless” factors like nationalism. ---- If people sacrificing their lives is your yardstick for right or wrong, then through the sands of history, millions and millions of people have died based on factors like religion(hindu-muslim riots, crusades,jihads etc), caste and skin-color. Do you support those people and their ideologies as well? >>“There is no scope for change/improvement here, so why bother, lets just take the flight across the border” --- If scope for improvement is your criteria then very good. But why mix it with nationalism? Concentrate on that human society which has the most scope for improvement. Why insist that I'll improve only my motherland? >> Or maybe try to paint a greener hue in the otherwise sombre canvas? --- Very good idea. But again, why mix it with nationalism? Look for the most sombre canvas and paint a greener hue. >>Maybe we should just scream across the border “Bhai!! Lets look at the intrinsic merits of the situation. Screw nationalism, you can keep Kashmir but give us Shoaib Akhtar. Part of the free trade agreement!!”. ------ If Indian and Pakistani politicians had looked at the issue objectively and tried to resolve it rather than mixing it with nationalism, the issue would have been solved long ago and we could have saved the lifes of several innocent soldiers and civilians. Unfortunately for most Indians and Pakistanis 'owning' Kashmir has become more important than having their daily bread and butter. Irrationality is all I can see... Rather than reacting emotionally, I’d advise you to have an objective view on the matter. When you open your mind to reason, you feel free. Let the free thought prevail(along with free trade)!!!! Just because you have been indoctrinated with all the nationalistic stuff since childhood, you are not bound to be enslaved by those.

>>What I find really strange is that through the sands of history, millions and millions of people have died based on “meaningless” factors like nationalism.
—-
If people sacrificing their lives is your yardstick for right or wrong, then through the sands of history, millions and millions of people have died based on factors like religion(hindu-muslim riots, crusades,jihads etc), caste and skin-color. Do you support those people and their ideologies as well?

>>“There is no scope for change/improvement here, so why bother, lets just take the flight across the border”
—
If scope for improvement is your criteria then very good. But why mix it with nationalism? Concentrate on that human society which has the most scope for improvement. Why insist that I’ll improve only my motherland?

>> Or maybe try to paint a greener hue in the otherwise sombre canvas?
—
Very good idea. But again, why mix it with nationalism? Look for the most sombre canvas and paint a greener hue.

>>Maybe we should just scream across the border “Bhai!! Lets look at the intrinsic merits of the situation. Screw nationalism, you can keep Kashmir but give us Shoaib Akhtar. Part of the free trade agreement!!”.
——

If Indian and Pakistani politicians had looked at the issue objectively and tried to resolve it rather than mixing it with nationalism, the issue would have been solved long ago and we could have saved the lifes of several innocent soldiers and civilians. Unfortunately for most Indians and Pakistanis ‘owning’ Kashmir has become more important than having their daily bread and butter. Irrationality is all I can see…

]]> By: surreal reality http://silenteloquence.suryaonline.org/2005/07/28/what-it-means-to-be-an-indian/comment-page-1/#comment-1510 surreal reality Sat, 03 Sep 2005 09:49:53 +0000 http://silenteloquence.suryaonline.org/2005/07/28/what-it-means-to-be-an-indian/#comment-1510 Yes, I understand now why we have so many armchair critics. "There is no scope for change/improvement here, so why bother, lets just take the flight across the border" What I find really strange is that through the sands of history, millions and millions of people have died based on "meaningless" factors like nationalism. Geez! What idiots! Maybe we should just scream across the border "Bhai!! Lets look at the intrinsic merits of the situation. Screw nationalism, you can keep Kashmir but give us Shoaib Akhtar. Part of the free trade agreement!!". Imagine there's no countries, It isnt hard to do, Nothing to kill or die for, No religion too, Imagine all the people.. Living life in peace... The world and Chapman didn't even spare that poor bastard.. Yes, I understand now why we have so many armchair critics.

“There is no scope for change/improvement here, so why bother, lets just take the flight across the border”

What I find really strange is that through the sands of history, millions and millions of people have died based on “meaningless” factors like nationalism.

Geez! What idiots!

Maybe we should just scream across the border “Bhai!! Lets look at the intrinsic merits of the situation. Screw nationalism, you can keep Kashmir but give us Shoaib Akhtar. Part of the free trade agreement!!”.

Imagine there’s no countries,
It isnt hard to do,
Nothing to kill or die for,
No religion too,
Imagine all the people..
Living life in peace…

The world and Chapman didn’t even spare that poor bastard..

]]> By: contd http://silenteloquence.suryaonline.org/2005/07/28/what-it-means-to-be-an-indian/comment-page-1/#comment-1509 contd Sat, 03 Sep 2005 08:47:07 +0000 http://silenteloquence.suryaonline.org/2005/07/28/what-it-means-to-be-an-indian/#comment-1509 >>If everyone left to seek greener pastures who will provide the protection? --- Protection is not about charity. Your remark is based on the premise that providing the protection is being done as a moral obligation, which is not the case. Most people join the police/defence forces out of their self-interest (meaning either as a good career or due to passion for that job or due to the salary/perks factor) And the funds required for providing protection is borne by the tax-payers. Understand the division of labor - Everyone cannot do everything. There is no free lunch in life... >>What about those who go back to their “motherland” to seek green pastures? Or maybe try to paint a greener hue in the otherwise sombre canvas? --- What about those who renounce their entire wealth for their religion, cast etc?? Does that signify anything? My point here is, the 'motherland' factor is as meaningless as a religious factor or a cast factor. What really matters is the intrinsic merit/demerit. >>If everyone left to seek greener pastures who will provide the protection?
—

Protection is not about charity. Your remark is based on the premise that providing the protection is being done as a moral obligation, which is not the case. Most people join the police/defence forces out of their self-interest (meaning either as a good career or due to passion for that job or due to the salary/perks factor) And the funds required for providing protection is borne by the tax-payers. Understand the division of labor – Everyone cannot do everything.

There is no free lunch in life…

>>What about those who go back to their “motherland” to seek green pastures? Or maybe try to paint a greener hue in the otherwise sombre canvas?
—

What about those who renounce their entire wealth for their religion, cast etc?? Does that signify anything? My point here is, the ‘motherland’ factor is as meaningless as a religious factor or a cast factor. What really matters is the intrinsic merit/demerit.

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