That India is diversified yet united was an overused phrase, and I presume still is, in school books that attempt to impart moral science and value education to little students. Most books say that being such a huge country with people living in all directions, speaking different languages, the difference in lifestyle, eating habits, attire and the likes, Indians are still a united people. And thus follows, 'Unity in Diversity' - a hackneyed phrase that seems to be the definition of the country's character. No doubt it sounds inspiring. But the little students pouring over these books come face to face with reality when they really meet their diverse compatriots.
On more than one occasion, I have been told by natives of South India that I was one of the few non-South Indians they had come across who actually knew the difference and acknowledged the presence of four different states in the southern part of India. The appreciation was genuine and there was hint of a little respect. I did not think it was a matter of pride. I only thought I was aware of the diversity that existed in my country.
Not being aware of a certain thing is one thing, not wanting to get rid of your ignorance is fatal. I chanced to be a part of a rather unfortunate conversation once. I call it unfortunate because there I was listening to a harrowed guy trying to explain to a silly fellow that the former was not a Madrasi but a native of Karnataka, and that the two things were completely different. It was arduous effort on the part of the harrowed guy. He began with the basics, telling the moron that there were four states that comprised south India. He explained that all the four states had a different language each. He went on to clarify that in Karnataka people spoke Kannada in some parts, and Tullu in a particular belt. Then he declared that he was a Tullu-speaking native of Karnataka. The harrowed guy looked content with his effort. The silly one had a sillier expression on his face. All he said was, "Yeah sure. But in the end you all are the same. Madrasis right?" My jaw dropped to the floor. Took me a jack to bring it back. Here was a guy who was not just ignorant, but even refused to accept facts that would only make him wiser. His outright insensitivity left me flabbergasted.
I could relate to the harrowed guy because I've met people who called me a Punjabi. On being corrected that I was a Bihari not a Punjabi they said they thought that all North Indians were Punjabis. What was the difference anyway? At other times I have tried in vain to tell people that Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are completely different states, and so are the natives of the respective states. It is really not cool to call every North Indian a 'bhaiya'. Retards have circulated this misnomer because natives from Uttar Pradesh generally refer to people as 'bhaiya' which is a term of respect for an elder brother. Obviously they don't know the logic. They are retards, remember? All attempts at trying to clarify your nativity are met with weird reactions here. Some don't want to believe you. Most don't care. That Orissa is different from West Bengal is not a big deal. You could be a Bangladeshi for all it's worth!
I am surprised at the multitude of mentally deranged people in this country. I call this process of mindlessly using an inappropriate term to describe a vast community blanketing. We do this with foreigners as well. Every fair skinned guy is an 'angrez' (British) or an American at the most. And all dark skinned ones are Africans. I can't even imagine how our North-Eastern compatriots must feel. Being called Chinese all the time, or perhaps Nepali, in your own country is not a nice thing. It's a fact that scores of people will not be able to differentiate between a Chinese, a Malaysian, a Thai, a Mongol and a North-East Indian just by looking at them. But did they make an effort to at least find out? Perhaps not, because it doesn't matter until you face it. We are united in our ignorance, and isn't that a great thing! Tell me which book gives this real picture of 'unity in diversity' to our children?
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