Am I really worthy of being an Indian?

This is my first foray into the world of blogging ; I certainly don't claim to be a writer - I am a simple man with simple thoughts. I consider this space to be a medium for me to pen down my thoughts - I do not expect people to read this, understand this or indeed even appreciate this.
I don't know for sure if the content of this blog has been inspired by the tragic events that unfolded in Mumbai not too long ago...however, I keenly followed these events as captured by the media as also the anger and outrage expressed by the Indian citizens across the world - somewhere, somehow, this has triggered a chain of thoughts in my head that forms the contents of this blog...

I do not wish to talk about 'patriotism' - I believe this word has been trashed so much by our own citizens that it has no meaning anymore. I believe that we Indians are the most unpatriotic people in the world - however, I am not about to talk about 'us' or 'we' ; this is the usual high road that is nothing more than an excuse not to do anything constructive for our country. Today, I ask myself the question - "Am I really worthy of being an Indian?"

I was born in India and therefore legally qualified to be an Indian citizen. That's it, the qualification ends there. The first thing I do when I study for my 12th is to prepare for the GRE and TOEFL so that I could go to the US to study because I do not believe that the education system in India is good enough. I am happy to spend thousands and thousands of rupees on applications to the US, but I will not even consider studying in India. I am delighted to get my first admit in the US, and am ready to sleep outside the US embassy overnight to ensure that I get my visa interview the next day. I am prepared to face the interviewer at the consulate who would take a look at me and think 'Another Indian who wants to take jobs away from my people' because I do not believe that my country could give me the education I need. Am I really worthy of being an Indian?

I complain constantly about the system and corruption, but I am not prepared to get off my back and do something about it. I am prepared to pay the gas delivery man an extra 10 bucks just in case he gets pissed off and delays the next delivery, and I complain to everyone about corruption. I am ready to 'tip' the telephone guy who does his job (and gets his salary from the government) and then I justify it by comparing my salary with his. I am too damn lazy to get through the process of a voter's card and even if I do, it is just so that I have another 'ID proof' and not because I give a damn about casting my vote. Yet, I consider it my birthright to bitch and moan about the politicians who are screwing our country - after all, I am legally Indian.
Am I really worth of being an Indian?

I am always looking for overseas jobs - the H1/B1 or whatever else they call it in other countries is my only objective ; I have the nerve to live outside my country (to be polite, be an NRI) and earn in much stronger currencies ; however, I cannot be bothered with directly contributing to the economy or the society of my country ( I do not believe that an NRI investing in properties or the stock market in India is in any way a direct contribution to the country - it's nothing but semantics anyway you look at it) However, I will consider it my right to pass judgement on my country sitting in comfortable homes in developed nations. I will 'sponsor' an underprivileged Indian kid somewhere from the cents and pennies that I wish to spare for India and be satisfied with 'having done my bit for the country'
Am I really worthy of being an Indian?

I will work at a petrol station or a supermarket in the US, but I will not be prepared to do the same in India, I will spit on and litter the streets of India but follow all the rules in Singapore, I will pay extra money not to attend my driving test but still get my license, I will drive like I own the roads in India but give way at every pedestrian crossing in another country....

Am I really worthy of being an Indian?

Are you?

Subbu
12th December 2008
23:30 IST