No Country for Outlanders

It was seven years back, when I had come to Delhi, that I first came to know about the ‘time-pass’ many people here did. I had not experienced any incident of bullying and nor had I seen anyone experience it in my town. 

Delhi was different. The people here welcomed the meek and the humble with smirks and winks. If it were a girl, then whistles and comments and what-nots. Be in a group, and you’re kind-of safe. Be alone, and you’re doomed… or at least you’re bound to feel apprehensive of some dark clouds lingering on your head till you’re home. This was the day-time scenario. What went on in the dark alleys of the nights is anybody’s guess.

And the situation can well be imagined where the victim does not know the language, culture, habits, norms and rules - Foreigners. They come to India with high hopes – as students, professionals, researchers and tourists. We welcome them. But they are welcomed by the offenders, too. In buses, on roads, in gardens, at metro stations, in street shops, there have been incidents where they get molested, offended, and provoked.

And the people just watch.

As an Indian, I feel ashamed. The ruffians taint the picture of Incredible India everyday. And what do we do? We assure the guests of our country that we’ll welcome them and click pictures with them and adore them like they are some sacred charms but if they’re in trouble, then we are sorry… helping is not in our blood.

I’ve come across many incidents of shamelessness against foreigners in the past seven years. Cases abound. They are not a result of some grudge or morbid scheme. This is all in the name of fun. Fun? How is belittling someone fun? How is making someone feel ostracized fun?

Maybe the visitors who tour the country and leave, they might board the flight back with some happy and some bad memories but for the ones who have permanently settled here or are here for a long duration, this is serious. It’s agonizing. It’s shameful. It’s unfair.

Of the many incidents I talk about, there are three that are etched deeply in my mind.

Connaught Place: Foreigners love this vibrant spot of Delhi. I distinctly remember, a blonde woman was searching her way in the Middle Circle with a map in her hand. She politely, friendlily asked a group of boys the route to some place. She was harassed.

Did I see a how-dare-she-roam-alone-in-a-strange-land look in the eyes of the people present? I can’t say.

Janpath: The mecca for shoppers. Two young foreign men – students maybe – were being brazenly asked for almost triple the money of their actual auto fares. People looked at the two men, at the autowallah, at each other and then went on with their own works.

The typical Roz ki baat hai attitude, maybe?

Janak Puri: The third was at this important hub of West Delhi. A young black guy was being attacked because he was seen as an easy prey to some nonsensical fun. Ridiculous. How stupid and shameless can one be? What calls for this behavior?

All the three incidents were downright disgusting.

The connection here is not just the incidents; the connection is the attitude of the spectators. Mute spectators. No one, and I mean absolutely NO ONE, came to the victims’ rescue. I guess, they all thought it will get resolved or maybe someone else will speak up or maybe they just didn’t care.

When I was a witness of the first two incidents, I was one amongst the silent watchers. New to the city. Afraid of the repercussions. Blah, blah!

The third incident, however, didn’t let me keep quiet. I spoke up. Following suit, many did. The rogue, despite his ego, apologized for what he did. The foreigner was thankful to the people. He smiled. He relaxed. Maybe he didn’t feel home, but I’m sure he didn’t feel alone either.

I’m not saying that each and every Indian is selfish or a coward. But there are a few who defy humanity. And the others, as responsible citizens, can always support the right thing. Always. An if and a but are mere excuses.

As for me, I now know – it’s not about how much one wants to help, it’s about helping anyway. I’ve lived with the regret of not helping AND I’ve lived with the joy of inspiring others to help. The memories of both are unforgettable. That just says, I can choose the memories for myself.

 To all the foreigners who have been to India and have been left with a bad memory of this country, I apologize. As an Indian, yes, but more so, as a human, I apologize. I hope your faith in goodness doesn’t falter and I hope you don’t group us as a nation of scallywags.

Because, as far as my experience goes…

If there is a 30% chance that you’ll come across people who will take advantage of your language barrier, who will not respect your culture, who will be unaware of your mannerisms, then there is a 70% chance that you’ll meet people who will talk to you like a curious ol’ head, guide you like a friend and treat you like a family. And you know how big Indian families are, right? So are their hearts. 

This article has been published in Youth ki Awaaz, too.

Hike

 

Courtesy 

feet after feet ...
the deathly bridge groans
school beckons

(Even today, many unprivileged areas see small children risk their lives to complete their journey to school. How poor, the path to education is fraught with danger and there is no one to do anything about it.)

Spice

pepper sting...
mother lets me sleep
beside her

Cheese

soft cheese cake -

a boy in shop gulps

someone outside sighs

"A Rose remains a Rose."

I am in an interview with I.R. Shankar, the author of An Adolescent Mind and True Colors of Love.

First of all, Sir, congratulations for your second book. It was a pleasure to read and review TCL. I’m glad you could provide us more knowledge about your book and yourself.

1.      As is written in the Author’s note, this book reveals you. Is TCL a partial autobiography of an episode of your life?

True. ‘True Colors of Love’ is written on the basis of experience. It is inspired by my First Love.

 

2.      Towards the end of the novella, I was just left thinking, “This is different!” What kind of story endings do you personally prefer?

I am very glad that you felt that the book was different. It has always been my desire to produce unique works of fiction. As far as story endings are concerned, I do not have any particular preference as such. I deeply appreciate novels, works of art and achievements in any field which are not mundane. That which contains genius. For instance the work of Albert Einstein interests me. His “Theories of Relativity” and his approach to problems appeals to my senses. Similarly the works of Sir Isaac Newton are very inspiring. His work on the phenomena of Gravitation is awe-inspiring. In a sense these are all stories. Albeit not in the world of literature. But in the field of Theoretical Physics.

3.      The story revolves around an aesthetic guy who is not accepted by others. Do you think being into art has its own disadvantages?

Why Art? If one is “into” anything deeply he is at a disadvantage in the world. In the material world one cannot truly immerse oneself. One can surround oneself with materials and possessions alone and live in a group. True immersion is possible in the world of imagination or Speculative Philosophy. Novels, Art and the production of creative work in any subject or field involves thinking.     Men who indulge in such passions are bound to appear different. They may appear self-absorbed to their contemporaries. Such men are often called eccentric. They are declared misfits in society. 

4.      What inspired you to write TCL?

I was inspired by my first love. My love for my cousin. That is how this story idea germinated. The book also contains the difficulty that I have faced in adapting to the world. Some writers who influenced me were the Russian writers,  Dostoevsky, Turgenev and Lermontov.  The German writer Goethe who wrote, “The Sorrows of Young Werther”. I was also inspired by the art world of Da Vinci and Michaelangelo. I got hooked to these famous Renaissance Artists after reading “Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown.

5.      I would never ask – Reading or Writing. They are both a lifeline of a writer. But what genre do you prefer while reading/writing?

Initially when I discovered books, I used to read lot of fiction. I enjoyed reading the Classics. Tales of mystery and adventure like Treasure Island, The Three Musketeers, The Count of Monte Cristo. Later I discovered Satire. I loved Gulliver Travels by Jonathan Swift, the brilliant novels of Dickens, Tom Jones by Henry Fielding, Joseph Andrews and Pamella by Samuel Richardson.  Other broad genres like History, Art, Theoretical Physics have also appealed to me. I have realized that my reading tastes change with time.

6.      When did you start writing? Which moment told you, “Yes, this is it! Writing is the thing for me.”?

I discovered that I could write by accident. It is a quirk of fate. I was always fond of reading books. I read lot of books during a period of my life when I was unemployed. When I had secured my first job I was placed in a project. However, not much work was assigned to me. During this period I read ‘David Copperfield’ and ‘Great Expectation’ by Charles Dickens. I then wrote my first novel titled “An Adolescent Mind”. Since then I have pursued the dream of being a writer.

7.      “Let the Voice take over.” A brilliant idea, first of all. Did this thought come in the first draft or in the editing process?

This idea evolved after I had written the core of the novel. After completing a manuscript I usually revisit it several times. I put in ‘editing effort’ while writing the novel itself. Of course thorough editing is done many times after the novel is complete.

8.      Any new story ideas waiting to get penned?

Yes, I have a few dreams. I would love to render them in the form of literary works which have lasting value.

9.      The dreaded one – Writer’s block. Are you immune from this bug or does it bite you, too?

Instead of the term “Writer’s block” I prefer to use the word ‘Challenge’.  When a novel is begun there are times when ideas and thoughts flow. There are also times when the ink goes dry. One has to persist. And then finally the novel is complete. It’s like climbing a mountain. With every chapter you develop a foothold and reach the pinnacle. A writer’s block is the challenge that a writer faces while creating a Literary work.  It is no different from the difficulties or challenges faced in any other realm by an individual.  For instance, Einstein and Newton are known to have suffered from nervous breakdowns in their lifetime. I believe this is due to the application of “creative imagination” while producing works of genius.

10.  Any second thoughts about TCL? Anything you think could have been written differently?

Once I complete a novel, I am through with it. The story is complete. It has been told. I move to the next story. In that sense TCL is complete.

11.  Ahem! Does negative criticism bother you? How do you handle it?

Negative criticism of my novels does not bother me. Each person in this world is entitled to a particular view and opinion. Their opinions do not alter the quality of the work. For instance people may have different views about the flower, Rose. Some may find it beautiful. Some may find it fragrant. Some may like its color. Some may not. Some could find it thorny.  Yet all this does not change the Rose itself. A Rose remains a Rose.

12.  I’m intrigued. What other form of art do you love other than writing?

I like to watch films. Listen to Music. Especially ghazals, Indian film music, Western Classical Music.

13.  There are many who’d like to be published. What would be your word of advice for the aspiring authors?

Keep reading. Keep Writing. Keep submitting manuscripts to Literary Agents and Publishers. It’s a long journey. Go out and fulfill your dreams.

Thank you for your time, Sir! Good luck for you future endeavors!