Independence day is just around the corner and I thought why not write a post on my experiences being an Indian. Back in my childhood days I never liked India. Yes, me and my siblings used to come here for vacations and the only thing we were gifted when we went back were huge mosquito sores, heat scars, and my grandmother's edibles. My siblings and I made it a point to tell that we were Bahrainis because we were born there. Such was the detest towards India.
Then came the point in life when we had to move to India permanently on April 6, 2000. The mosquitoes made a feast of our blood during the first 8 months of our stay. Then I guess they figured out all the juicy taste had gone and so they left us alone (partly also due to All Out- God bless the makers of the repellent!) We studied in schools here and we detested each day of the year. The sole aim of our heart, mind and soul was to study, finish college and go abroad where we thought we belonged. We missed our friends, the food and life back there. It just added to our growing resentment to this place. Whenever my dad took us out in his ambassador car we would complain about the bumpy roads, the leaking sewage, the posters, the power cuts, and everything we laid our eyes upon. My dad was like 'one day you will understand' and we heard it as bla bla bla.
After my marriage, I started to visit several places in and around. Slowly, my opinion started to change. I started loving the fresh air, the hills, the paddy fields spread out like green carpets, the coconut trees swaying with the wind, the beaches that give you a calmness inside, the wildlife and so on. Every morning when I go for work my eyes sink in images of small children running to school with their powdered faces, cyclists carrying wood and piles of other stuffs, people going to work on their scooters, the garbage cleaners strolling their carts trying to keep our area clean, women selling fish and the smell of food coming from other houses. I started accepting a nation where people smile through their hardships, where affection for family knew no bounds, where everything seems full of colors, where rain brings wealth and happiness, where traditions are weird but amazing and where freedom is understood in its full form. Finally I knew where I truly belonged.
So for all you people out there who felt the same way as I did, take a trip around India. There might be garbage, corruption, poverty in several places but just look at the remarkable progress we made during the last 10 years. When I came down here there were very few cars, rare fast food and only the rich could afford a mobile phone. Now, everywhere I go I see great looking cars, hotels and fast food at every nook and corner. Every Tom, Dick and Harry has a cell phone now. There are so many graduates now and people are changing their opinions. With the broad mindedness of the present younger generation there is no stopping in progress. If in 10 years I could see such a huge change I can imagine how it will be after some years.
When I left Bahrain one uncle told me, '
All the best.. In Bahrain you know how lifestyle is but when you go to India you will know what life is.' I can't believe I still remember those words but I guess I can understand what he meant now. And I am truly proud being an Indian. So have a great Independence day guys and let the feel of patriotism rock on!
