They say that the power of human will can even move mountains ! Most ordinary guys like me would probably consider this a hyperbole but only when we have personal experiences of our own, we start wondering to what extent our will,dreams and ambitions truly get converted into realizations knowingly or unknowingly, maybe with a little or a lot of help from God perhaps ? Or is it all sheer coincidence ?
Anyways I have returned to India after 17 years outside. I was outside for so long, that I had forgotten how India looked, what it smelled like or how its cacophony of city traffic, prayers, traffic jams, mooing of the ubiquitous cows and how just general Indian life assualted the senses of the unsuspecting visitor! I would literally dream of this country while trying to sleep and what I would like utopian Indian society to be like and what I would do if I were PM and so on :-) The internet was a great freind to me during my stay in Columbus, IN where I spent considerable part of my free time learning about developments in India, its history and what the future held for our nation.
Call it fate,will or God, due to a queer and sudden turn of events, I am in India when I least expected it! God works in strange ways they say. India no longer lives in my dreams anymore.
I now eat and drink Indian, work with Indians, commute with Indians, talk Indian,celebrate like an Indian ,do what any other Indian does every day and feel Indian!
I had no idea what to expect really. No amount of internet reading and talking to people prepares you for a homecoming 17 years late ! When we landed in Pune in July at night, all I could see in the dimly lit streets were undulating roads and haphazard patches of pitch. Quite a shocker coming from US and Dubai roads. India is such an old civilization that seeing and comparing from a brain washed western perspective is a grave mistake. Let go all inhibtions and soak it in. Do not react is my humble advice. After more the 4 months, all I can say is that life is good. Workplace is fun, energetic and modern. People are simple, kind, family oriented and most of all very human. Food is great and and in many ways I find practices here much more hygenic that what I was practicing all these years. Will not get into the details :-)
India today during my short time here seems like an ancient civilization , steeped in customs, traditions,folklore,religion and values juxtaposed next to a modern,funky,cool India that advertenly or inadvertently looks a lot like the west. These two faces are much like our Hindu Gods who are the same but have various 'roops' and forms. Indian economy is booming and you can feel the energy. The country is the youngest in the world and people seem to be making good money. However I think we need to find a way to make sure growth hits everyone and not the so called 'creamy' layer only. They use this term 'creamy' quite a lot in newspaers and talk shows. Made me laugh initially. I am sure this too would happen like everything else happens in India sooner or later.
Even in year 2050 when India would become the world's 3rd largest economy in USD terms, these two faces of India would remain. This is what makes this country so great, beautiful and amazing. There is no need to sit in some chartered tour bus and go to 'fake settlements' in order to see the history of the people of the land and its traditions. For me what defines India is the variety and diversity of life that exists here in many forms, shapes, colours and origins all co-existing happily for the most part.
For me , I am counting my blessings. Life is good and thats all I know. My past experience has taught me not to plan too far out in the future. Not sure what life has in store niether do I know what I would be doing or where I would be. But truth be told, I do not want to know ! In India though you will find many talented folks who claim to tell you all about your past and future and prvious lives from just an imprint of your thumb ! My boss at work has clandestinely ordered for his report, incase his wife finds out about his past affairs !
Homecoming has been sweet . Thank you God for making this happen .
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5 comments:
Amar Sonai, Tuntunai
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now it shows 3 comments! :P
Sonai... just read your entry on Homecoming and I must say you make me proud. I wish more young people would come back and try to help fix what's wrong rather than stay away and crib about it.
I've known about you for a long time. All I can say at the moment, welcome back. India needs you as much as you need her.
I would be honoured if you stay in touch. View roldihramblings.rediffblogs.com and my personal blog at solstar.rediffiland.com
Hope to re-visit and read more. God bless you. Bhalo theko Sonai.
Hey man, saw this blog and I think your views are slightly biased and very general. There are good and bad things everywhere and everyone has their own opinion about everything. Maybe you should be more practical, and focus on the tasks at hand and don't think too much about the past. The past is gone, it'll never come back. Think and work in the present and plan for the future. The more you think about the past, about your life in the US/UK etc. the more theoretical of a person you'll become and end up writing blogs for your whole life. Meditate and deviate into the creativity of life and about what you can do not only for India, but for the World. Think of yourself as a Citizen of the World. There have been numerous inventions from other countries, but the applications of those inventions have benefited not only a particular country, but the world. We just need a place to live happily (whether it be India or some foreign land), but its the mind that does everything and it does not matter where you are as long as you're confident and have faith in yourself in achieving the best. Good luck.
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