Are We Biting Our Tails?
A Not-So-Serious Look at a Seriously Complex Issue
Hi! I've been stewing over something lately, and let me tell you, it's not my usual 'what-to-wear-today' kind of dilemma. It's about India, my beloved land of contrasts and birthplace, and how we are in a pickle regarding our identity.
India's abuzz with the inauguration of a splendid temple, and – it's a big deal, a real milestone for many. But here's the rub: We're missing the forest for the trees. Remember the good old days when being Indian was like being part of this epic, cultural Avengers team? We had it all – languages galore, an array of traditions, and food that could make even the grumpiest food critic weep with joy. Comedic gold arose from every corner of the country due to diverse cultures, traditions, and customs.
Fast forward to 2024. We should've been the poster child for a robust and pluralistic democracy. Instead, we're playing a game of religious identity tag on WhatsApp – because that's how we roll now. "Hey, I'm XYZ religion. High five!". I ponder, since when did a chat app become the ground zero for identity crises?
Let's put things into perspective. Look at South America. It's one big continent, mostly speaking Spanish and Portuguese, but its countries are like a jigsaw puzzle that can't quite fit together. Africa's got the African Union, but its countries are playing musical chairs with ideologies. Europe's doing its own thing – like a family reunion where everyone speaks different languages but still argues over the same old stuff.
And India? We were like this all-star team – a mishmash of Europe, Africa, and South America, all rolled into one. But now, it seems like we're fraying at the seams.
Here's a head-scratcher: why are we defining our identities based on religious symbolisms on a chat app (brandishing our faith's emblems on profile pictures)? Religion is personal, but when and why did it become the headline of our daily discourse? We're setting up a buffet of divisions and saying, "Help yourself!"
Instead, for example, could we unite with sincere determination to confront a recurring tragedy: India's soaring traffic fatalities? In 2022 alone, a staggering 1.68 lakh lives were lost in road accidents, equating to one death every three minutes. Our roads now resemble an obstacle course with devastating consequences. It's time to prioritize the preservation of life on our streets. While religion holds significant importance for many, isn't the urgent protection of lives a cause equally worthy of our collective outcry?
If we’re going to wave our religious flags high, it behooves us to act morally cogently and embody the virtues those religions preach. We’ve lost the plot if we don’t! (In my humble opinion).
So, here we are—a country at a crossroads, juggling its rich heritage with modern challenges. The big question is, where do we go from here? Do we stick to the script of division, or do we rewrite the narrative to one of unity and progress? Only time will tell. Let's remember to love, live, and use a little common sense.
Love and Peace.
The Curious Nobody