Every day on my way to school in Baroda, Gujarat, India, I witnessed the women on the streets draped in dirty, torn saris with small babies at their waists begging for money. Ironically, while entering my own path toward a successful future, I was simultaneously witnessing people who had their unfortunate fate already written--the untouchables and the homeless. One morning before the rickshaw arrived to take me to school, a riot broke out in my colony between two religious divisions, Hindus and Muslims. I remember chaos in the entire neighborhood and people running everywhere, trying to find safety. My father rushed me into the house with my mother, while he and the rest of the men in the neighborhood stayed behind to ensure that we were …show more content…
Moreover, I didn’t experience any violent riots; instead, the city transformed into a quiet ghost town in the evenings.
Today, even though I live in the United States, I occasionally receive news of these riots from my relatives living in India. Moreover, there are constant news headlines highlighting political corruption, terrorist bombings, healthcare disparities, and issues among the citizens due to social caste and status. All of these contribute to the further splitting of India, a nation whose freedom fighters risked their lives to free India from British imperialism and keep the nationalistic spirit of “Bharat Mata,” or “Mother India,” alive. The freedom fighters united the citizens no matter their caste, religion, or creed. After India gained its independence, however, these cascades of internal problems led to more and more disunity. This essay analyzes how even though the freedom fighters fought hard for Indian Independence, their struggles and accomplishments seem to be shadowed by the political, religious, and social divisions and turmoil present in India today; however, the music of A.R. Rahman (specifically the songs “Desh Mere Desh” and “Bharat Humko Jaan Se Pyaara Hain”) aims to not only help understand these problems, but also encourage “Hindustanis” (citizens of India) to once again unite with compassion and nationalistic vigor,
As a first generation Indian-American, I am no stranger to being a part of a distinct community while observing two unique cultures. Traveling to India exposed me to a dynamic population with rich diversity comprising of numerous languages and differing religions. Though these individuals may have had differing customs from their neighbors, there were similar ambitions to conquer grinding poverty. This poverty can be clearly noticed by seeing citizens sleeping on floors of a railway station, or the lack of air conditioning in searing hot weather. The frailty and mortality of the human condition was starkly visible in India. As a fellow human, I was humbled not only by the lack of privilege and opportunity of many citizens, but also by their
“My Trip to the Land of Gandhi”, written by Martin Luther King Jr., an American clergyman and famous leader in the African-American civil rights movement, is a short story about Martin’s trip to India also known as the land of Gandhi. Based on the reading, the trip was a great success and the Indian people welcomed Martin and his colleagues with welcoming arms. The Indians appreciated and admired Martin’s nonviolent protest because it resembles that of their peace figure, Gandhi. Martin tells of this excursion to India to express to the reader that a non-violent approach is the superior way to solving problems in life and is cherished much more than violent methods.
Many people believe that in the 1940’s most of India’s problems involving independence was to do with divisions within India rather than British imperialism. In this essay I will be looking at both points of view and finally giving my opinion. I will be using three sources also to help me show both sides of the story. I will also be using my further knowledge to add a wider range of knowledge.
Throughout the years many historians have compilated and examined why Indian people were so desperate to gain back their independence from the British Empire during their rule over India, from 1612 to 1947. The reasoning can most definitely be found as the British discriminated against Indian people as they believe that they were inferior; it is no surprise that Indian people fought so hard for their independence. Throughout the British Raj, they placed and put forward unbelievably racist acts and laws which discriminated against Indian people. Which of course led to Indians to rebel against the British rule and which the British reacted with causing massacres. Explaining the nationalistic many India’s felt during the British Raj.
Success to me is definitely an abundance of wealth; however, I believe that my strive towards this means so much more. My hard work will not equivocate to the stereotypical desire for materialistic happiness. I will need a lot more than that in life, because I know that true success is to provide for the people you love in order for them to be successful as well. Working hard to earn as much money as possible will allow me to help my parents buy the house of their dreams. Someday I will help my children go to any college of their choice no matter the cost. I want to be so financially successful that no one in my family will ever have to lose an great opportunity simply because we cannot afford it.
While on a school trip, I saw a small camp for refugees from Syria. It was absolutely heart wrenching. They lived in a shanty town and their clothing was old or secondhand from donations.While it was a brief encounter, the implications it had on me were enormous. My whole life had been full of privilege and low in strife. I always had clean clothing, food to eat, and a place to sleep. Right before I was at the camp, I was worried about whether or not I had time to stop to get coffee before I caught my connecting train. Seeing children half my age sick with debilitating diseases, and the overall standard of living, struck me in a way I didn’t, or couldn’t, understand if I didn’t see it in person. It opened my eyes to how grateful I am to live in America; and how lucky I am that my mom immigrated from the Phillipines, in the hopes that she would have a better
Unbeknownst to the masses, information had been controlled by the oligarchy for the sake of “national security” or economic and social cooperation. Although this had been a theme throughout hundreds of dystopian novels, such overarching influence is lamentably applied in societies throughout the world. Historically, nation/states across the globe have manipulated information regarding controversial events to maintain the national identity, of which had facilitated cooperation by creating a common enemy. Throughout history, the majority have made minorities the scapegoats during times of crises and socioeconomic turmoil, validating the injustices performed against them. This strategy of garnering cooperation throughout the masses through prejudice allowed them to survive events such as the Great Depression, World Wars and insidious campaigns all while maintaining morale, but there has been overwhelming evidence that any type of nationalism, despite the intention, is detrimental. Unfortunately, in constituting love for one’s nation through hate, one would need to constantly find a demographic minority to do so. Such has been the case not only throughout the United States’ history but is also present in India’s history where true events have been convoluted and objectivity is nonexistent.
Second generation Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) such as Preeti and ‘Orphan’ do not even know that the touching of elder’s feet is to seek their blessings. Furthermore, the NRIs who slant their Indian names in a modern angle like ‘Mohan’ to ‘Man’ and ‘Omkar’ to ‘Opee’ prove their dismissal of the Indian roots. The Indians Bharat meet in London have not just forgotten their history but despise it. Thus, he sings ‘Bharat Ka Rehne wala’, a song full of achievements by Indians and praises for India. Despite being Hindus, Indians who are born and bred in London like Preeti do not know what Bhagavad-Gita is as shown in the scene where she asks Bharat if he is reading a novel where the female protagonist is called Gita. However, I do feel that these are slightly exaggerated as the Indians may not be unaware of their roots to this extent.
Not only are these children obligatory for India’s new future, but they remain a “mirror” for India’s future, illuminating the strengths and weaknesses of an independent India. The Midnight’s Children therefore symbolize the multiplicity and miscellany within postcolonial India.
There it was, the day before my senior year, the next big step in life leading me to graduation and then college. Unfortunately, just like it is close to every big day in my life. I was sick. Literally the full nine yards, I would go from being hot one day and sweating like crazy to being cold and shivering the next. I refuse to go into my senior year sick, I mean this is supposed to be my year nothing can go wrong.
India is poor. On a daily basis, I saw young children crying and begging for food and money. I watched with pity as our maid broke her back day and night to do our dirty work. I felt deep sympathy for the young boys working at constructions sites. The miserable state of the people around me made me grateful for what I had. Seeing those unfortunate souls sacrificing themselves in order to afford a survival coerced me to value what I had and live modestly. A lack of flamboyance in my life augments my attention towards learning and working hard. I don’t desire to be rich and famous, I desire to make a difference, especially in the lives of those who are less fortunate than me.
India is a country that has always been influenced by cultures around it, the Muslim invaders from the West, the Chinese Buddhists from the East, and the European colonial powers from the Sea. (Difference, 2011) It is the second largest country by population in the world, and has a bustling economy and a liberal democracy for government. Time is fast in India, and getting faster. In cities like Mumbai, where century old neighborhoods are being torn up for new construction, and massive projects are underway to modernize the country, there is a spirit of revival and youth that drives the country
The time-lapse between 1919-1939 saw the rise of a man, soon to be known for his unique approach towards politics. This man, Ghandi, brought about a movement that started a ripple that would soon turn into a huge tide of anarchy for the Brits. His politics promoted the concept of “Swaraj- Self-Rule” and ignited the flare for nationalism. This time period also saw the Muslims and Hindus coming together for a common purpose.
Anand Patwardhan’s documentary “Jai Bhim Comrade” is about Dalit movement and struggle for recognition of their identity and acceptance of their existence within socio-politico-economic milieu. The three hour long movie covers the time period of fourteen years, incorporating layered, personal narratives of Dalits, their aspirations and their desire to achieve what Ambedkar said in his one of the most radical texts “The Annihilation of Caste”, to dismantle the caste system. The film provides an insight into the cruelty and discrimination against Dalits, which has been ‘naturalized’ and institutionalized within our so-called progressive Hindu society. Patvardhan is trying to situate various personal narratives within the larger narrative of Dalit resistance and struggle. I personally found the movie extremely strong, which renders the audience literally speechless. It shakes one’s entire belief system and forces one to interrogate various pockets of society which collectively form the society as it is. The movie turns the notion of
Sixty years ago, in the summer of 1948, our nation, then newly born, was struggling for its very survival. In January, Mahatma Gandhi had been murdered by a Hindu fanatic. The act had shocked many Indians, but apparently it had the approval of some. According to one news report, the jailed assassin, Nathuram Godse, received an average of 50 letters a day expressing admiration for his action. This was part of a much wider right-wing, religious, reaction against Partition. Hindu and Sikh refugees from Pakistan were calling for retribution against the Muslims who had stayed behind in India. The relations between the two communities were poisoned further by the tribal invasion of the state of Jammu and Kashmir. With the raiders aided and