MISSING MY COUNTRY…
Life tends to be weird at times. Here I am, all set for my new journey in United states of America, and suddenly feel that my footsteps are still not ready for the move. I do love my country, but never thought I loved it so much making me cry at odd moments when I remember those silly things I could do here and probably can never do there.
Around six months back, I was excited to the core about going to a foreign land, experiencing a new life . All of a sudden, that happiness seems truncated. The things I hated the most suddenly seem to be endearing. I was travelling in a rickshaw that day. Normally the eunuchs who come along at the traffic signal and start touching you irritate me the most. Not because I hate eunuchs, but I just feel they may not be genuine and a male may just be wearing a dress of a female claiming to be a eunuch. But that day when one of them said, “ Baby, tumhara life accha hoga, tum bahar pardes jayega padhne”, when I simpy ignored he said “ koi baat nahi baby, khush rehna “I just couldn’t hold my tears. I don’t know if he was genuine or faked up but it does need a heart to keep saying and wishing good things for others in the scorching sun of Mumbai especially when the person you are saying good things about prefers to royally ignore you or hurl foul words at you in frustration.
I wait happily these days for me to get jammed in traffic. I yearn for people to honk horns, and yell at each other. I don’t know when again will I see these warm Indians bonded together again. Those silly fights in second class ladies compartments, make me feel that we are simple souls who believe in pouring our hearts out or just crying loudly when frustrated. In second class compartment females talk freely about their lives with each other, share their troubles , discuss prices of vegetables. The first class compartments , which I loved travelling earlier seems like they are aping the west .. In first class compartment, u seem to find females with trousers and a suitcase or a makeup case in hand, totally cut off from the world. I will miss everything right from the stinking smell of the fighting fisherwomen to the lovely train journey till KEM holding the big fat pharmacology book in hand, trying to mug those deadly medicines in the train. When I happen to see an Indian wedding or an Indian funeral on road, I just feel heaviness in my heart. The road side paani puri , vada pavs and dabeli are the only foods I hog these days . The old grandmas going to temples together render so much serenity to this country. Vegetable vendors screaming “paach ke teen limbu” seems like music to my ears now.
This year when I went to vote I realized that this was probably the last time I would vote here. I had a very tight schedule too many patients to see, and I was wondering if I would get time to vote. When I went inside to cast my vote, I was suddenly so touched by what met my eyes. Old frail people struggling to climb steps, people with fractured limbs walking with crutches, all geared up to cast their vote. This I felt was the spirit of a true Indian. If old people like these still have faith in the political system, why shouldn’t we youngsters? That time I decided, no matter how tight my schedule is when I come back, I shall surely vote.
It’s really sad that it’s while departing my country, I have discovered a true India . I just hope that the fast developing west doesn’t rob me ever of my Indianess.