Comments on: (Dis)Unity in Diversity? http://amreekandesi.com/2007/09/30/disunity-in-diversity/ Taking the Tire out of Satire Wed, 16 May 2012 04:39:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: amlistening http://amreekandesi.com/2007/09/30/disunity-in-diversity/comment-page-1/#comment-1345 amlistening Mon, 17 Nov 2008 01:51:59 +0000 http://amreekandesi.wordpress.com/2007/09/30/disunity-in-diversity/#comment-1345 Hi Again AmericanIndian Read this one from 2007 after the new 2008 one(Divided we fall). Glad to see a ray of hope in this one. Trust me, we do feel happy when we see another Indian on road, though we/I may not smile. Its not the Indian culture to just pass smiles to strangers (especially if one is a girl). I still get to see the occastional eye contact, tilt of head or a rare smile from a friendly Indian. I like the warmth of the presence. Its like feeling your mother is around even when she might be busy and not giving you anytime. Hi Again AmericanIndian
Read this one from 2007 after the new 2008 one(Divided we fall). Glad to see a ray of hope in this one.
Trust me, we do feel happy when we see another Indian on road, though we/I may not smile.
Its not the Indian culture to just pass smiles to strangers (especially if one is a girl). I still get to see the occastional eye contact, tilt of head or a rare smile from a friendly Indian. I like the warmth of the presence. Its like feeling your mother is around even when she might be busy and not giving you anytime.

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]]> By: Divided We Fall | amreekandesi.com http://amreekandesi.com/2007/09/30/disunity-in-diversity/comment-page-1/#comment-1309 Divided We Fall | amreekandesi.com Sun, 16 Nov 2008 07:34:42 +0000 http://amreekandesi.wordpress.com/2007/09/30/disunity-in-diversity/#comment-1309 [...] (Dis)Unity in Diversity, Kashmir Still [...] [...] (Dis)Unity in Diversity, Kashmir Still [...]

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]]> By: Dharm http://amreekandesi.com/2007/09/30/disunity-in-diversity/comment-page-1/#comment-71 Dharm Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:57:56 +0000 http://amreekandesi.wordpress.com/2007/09/30/disunity-in-diversity/#comment-71 Hii to all! My name is Dharm and i am from Delhi, India. I liked this article... there are some strong points in this article which i think too that are true and right at some point. It is true that the biggest problem in india is Castes and Religions ( Hindu / Muslims / Sikh / Christians and so on...). I am Hindu, I am Bihari, I am Sikh, I am Muslim....but nobody says that i am Hindustani that i am Indian. The latest example of it is the Mumbai case in which Shiv Sena did very shameful act...they tried to divide india now on regional wise. How shameful it was that these few peoples had attacked on other regions peoples. India is a free country, who have given right to them to stop anyone to coming in their state? How they think that these few politician can divide 100 Crores of Indians who are living together. This is really shameful act Shiv Sena did recently. But still i feel that indians are strong and unite when it is matter for the Nation. We are unite no doubt about it. China War, Cargil and not just this but there many times i seen the unity of indians. Corruped peoples are every where, in every country... in their eyes no value for nation, no value for humans...they just have meaning with themselves.... India also have corrupted peoples... but still the nation is running on honest peoples shoulders. About eye to eye contact... i do not think so that in india there is something like that... i always see peoples like to smile when see each other... they see in each other eyes and you will see a great attraction in the eyes of those who are honest. Yeah most of the peoples busy in struggling with their lives.. but still indians are better then anyone in this world...i bet. Movies and Cricket... Movies plays both parts...good as well as bad too... Very rare times i see any good movie that inspire peoples to do something good... The movie Chak de india...really a good movie... but on other hand u see the movie Om shanti om... how poor that they insulted Mr.Manoj Kumar ( who has honored with the name Bharat Kumar) just for money how can you spoil a great person identity? There is one good movie recently launched by Mr. Amir Khan... Taare Jamin Pe... a great movie.. Cricket... now just a symbol of money and politics... no natural cricket... Still have SattayBaazi and Still politics in it. Competition between BCCI and ICL is the biggest example. I just wanna say... indians are good but only few wrong politicians plays cheap politics. Indians are Best and Unite when its the matter of Nation. I support India Always. Jay Hind. Hii to all!
My name is Dharm and i am from Delhi, India. I liked this article… there are some strong points in this article which i think too that are true and right at some point.
It is true that the biggest problem in india is Castes and Religions ( Hindu / Muslims / Sikh / Christians and so on…). I am Hindu, I am Bihari, I am Sikh, I am Muslim….but nobody says that i am Hindustani that i am Indian. The latest example of it is the Mumbai case in which Shiv Sena did very shameful act…they tried to divide india now on regional wise. How shameful it was that these few peoples had attacked on other regions peoples. India is a free country, who have given right to them to stop anyone to coming in their state? How they think that these few politician can divide 100 Crores of Indians who are living together. This is really shameful act Shiv Sena did recently.
But still i feel that indians are strong and unite when it is matter for the Nation. We are unite no doubt about it. China War, Cargil and not just this but there many times i seen the unity of indians.
Corruped peoples are every where, in every country… in their eyes no value for nation, no value for humans…they just have meaning with themselves…. India also have corrupted peoples… but still the nation is running on honest peoples shoulders.
About eye to eye contact… i do not think so that in india there is something like that… i always see peoples like to smile when see each other… they see in each other eyes and you will see a great attraction in the eyes of those who are honest. Yeah most of the peoples busy in struggling with their lives.. but still indians are better then anyone in this world…i bet.
Movies and Cricket… Movies plays both parts…good as well as bad too… Very rare times i see any good movie that inspire peoples to do something good… The movie Chak de india…really a good movie… but on other hand u see the movie Om shanti om… how poor that they insulted Mr.Manoj Kumar ( who has honored with the name Bharat Kumar) just for money how can you spoil a great person identity? There is one good movie recently launched by Mr. Amir Khan… Taare Jamin Pe… a great movie..
Cricket… now just a symbol of money and politics… no natural cricket… Still have SattayBaazi and Still politics in it. Competition between BCCI and ICL is the biggest example.
I just wanna say… indians are good but only few wrong politicians plays cheap politics.

Indians are Best and Unite when its the matter of Nation.
I support India Always.
Jay Hind.

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]]> By: Shefaly http://amreekandesi.com/2007/09/30/disunity-in-diversity/comment-page-1/#comment-64 Shefaly Mon, 01 Oct 2007 20:13:12 +0000 http://amreekandesi.wordpress.com/2007/09/30/disunity-in-diversity/#comment-64 "You already called me a hypocrite." When??? It must be my evil twin, the devil... “You already called me a hypocrite.”

When??? It must be my evil twin, the devil…

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]]> By: Anil http://amreekandesi.com/2007/09/30/disunity-in-diversity/comment-page-1/#comment-66 Anil Mon, 01 Oct 2007 17:45:10 +0000 http://amreekandesi.wordpress.com/2007/09/30/disunity-in-diversity/#comment-66 A million dollar question. A million dollar question.

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]]> By: madhuri http://amreekandesi.com/2007/09/30/disunity-in-diversity/comment-page-1/#comment-65 madhuri Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:55:37 +0000 http://amreekandesi.wordpress.com/2007/09/30/disunity-in-diversity/#comment-65 @ Shefali I agree with you that in India people do not smile at strangers on roads and that is a cultural difference that i mentioned before. But strangers on roads of India do make eye contact and are not oblivious to your existence. On the other hand, I have noticed that 'natives' in Los Angeles and in New York (lived in these cities for almost five years)do smile and acknowledge strangers on roads. I would be happy to believe that Indians in USA still follow a non smiling Indian code on streets, but not to make eye contact is a separate issue. Since the write up is about a decrease in warmth between Indians due to their separate spoken languages and faiths, it is very pertinent in this context, whether another Indian smiles or makes eye contact with you in the roads of USA. However i am glad that you have faced warm friendly Indians in gatherings in UK. And as far as our differences of opinions, the world is big enough for both of us to co exist isn't it?. I also feel that a difference of opinion does sprinkle some spice into an otherwise mundane environment. @ Shefali
I agree with you that in India people do not smile at strangers on roads and that is a cultural difference that i mentioned before. But strangers on roads of India do make eye contact and are not oblivious to your existence. On the other hand, I have noticed that ‘natives’ in Los Angeles and in New York (lived in these cities for almost five years)do smile and acknowledge strangers on roads. I would be happy to believe that Indians in USA still follow a non smiling Indian code on streets, but not to make eye contact is a separate issue. Since the write up is about a decrease in warmth between Indians due to their separate spoken languages and faiths, it is very pertinent in this context, whether another Indian smiles or makes eye contact with you in the roads of USA.
However i am glad that you have faced warm friendly Indians in gatherings in UK.
And as far as our differences of opinions, the world is big enough for both of us to co exist isn’t it?. I also feel that a difference of opinion does sprinkle some spice into an otherwise mundane environment.

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]]> By: amreekandesi http://amreekandesi.com/2007/09/30/disunity-in-diversity/comment-page-1/#comment-63 amreekandesi Mon, 01 Oct 2007 16:40:34 +0000 http://amreekandesi.wordpress.com/2007/09/30/disunity-in-diversity/#comment-63 <i>I have encountered meanness in every colour so I would not single out Indians for that special honour</i> aww Shefaly...come let me give you a hug! I would think that you missed the point...i am not even talking about other races. Just saying that as aliens in a foriegn land, you tend to expect some warmth from your compatriots. And are surprised to find that that doesnt happen. Oh well..what am i explaining? You already called me a hypocrite. <i> Wrings hands in despair and walks out the door waving maniacally at the heavens and sobbing uncontrollably</i> I have encountered meanness in every colour so I would not single out Indians for that special honour
aww Shefaly…come let me give you a hug!

I would think that you missed the point…i am not even talking about other races. Just saying that as aliens in a foriegn land, you tend to expect some warmth from your compatriots. And are surprised to find that that doesnt happen.

Oh well..what am i explaining? You already called me a hypocrite.
Wrings hands in despair and walks out the door waving maniacally at the heavens and sobbing uncontrollably

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]]> By: Shefaly http://amreekandesi.com/2007/09/30/disunity-in-diversity/comment-page-1/#comment-62 Shefaly Mon, 01 Oct 2007 15:25:22 +0000 http://amreekandesi.wordpress.com/2007/09/30/disunity-in-diversity/#comment-62 Amreekandesi and Madhuri: Thanks. I must have grown up on another planet then, because I do not recall strangers smiling at me even in India. :-( And my experience of people not smiling at me also extended to the US, where I lived and worked for some time (Cambridge, MA and Washington DC). Is it that people in India do not smile at strange girls, for fear of being branded road-side Romeos? May be the male experience IS different. Probably Amreekandesi can comment? But wait, Madhuri, you said "This was indeed a big cultural difference i faced when i initially moved here", did you mean difference vis-a-vis India or elsewhere? My experience of desi gatherings in UK is that everyone talks to everyone, randomly too, without waiting to be introduced. But these are self-selected gatherings. In that 1st gen migrants like me do not socialise with 2nd gen desi Brits. They have families, extended families and cousins, where I imagine their thirst for desi-ness and desi contact is well-sated. :-) However I do not think it is a big deal that people do not smile at me. With all respect to them and their roles here, some of the migrants in the UK may have never crossed paths with me if they had remained in India so whether they smile at me or not is moot but worst case, hardly an opportunity loss.. I definitely do not think this means anything sinister or awful about Indians abroad or Indians in general. I have encountered meanness in every colour so I would not single out Indians for that special honour 8-) Amreekandesi and Madhuri: Thanks.

I must have grown up on another planet then, because I do not recall strangers smiling at me even in India. :-( And my experience of people not smiling at me also extended to the US, where I lived and worked for some time (Cambridge, MA and Washington DC).

Is it that people in India do not smile at strange girls, for fear of being branded road-side Romeos? May be the male experience IS different. Probably Amreekandesi can comment?

But wait, Madhuri, you said “This was indeed a big cultural difference i faced when i initially moved here”, did you mean difference vis-a-vis India or elsewhere?

My experience of desi gatherings in UK is that everyone talks to everyone, randomly too, without waiting to be introduced. But these are self-selected gatherings. In that 1st gen migrants like me do not socialise with 2nd gen desi Brits. They have families, extended families and cousins, where I imagine their thirst for desi-ness and desi contact is well-sated. :-)

However I do not think it is a big deal that people do not smile at me. With all respect to them and their roles here, some of the migrants in the UK may have never crossed paths with me if they had remained in India so whether they smile at me or not is moot but worst case, hardly an opportunity loss.. I definitely do not think this means anything sinister or awful about Indians abroad or Indians in general. I have encountered meanness in every colour so I would not single out Indians for that special honour 8-)

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]]> By: madhuri http://amreekandesi.com/2007/09/30/disunity-in-diversity/comment-page-1/#comment-61 madhuri Mon, 01 Oct 2007 11:59:21 +0000 http://amreekandesi.wordpress.com/2007/09/30/disunity-in-diversity/#comment-61 Nice post. @Shefali 'The other way round: In the US, how many “natives” do you see acknowledging each other, making eye contact and smiling at strangers of the same ethnic group as them?' Actually in the US, 90% of natives do smile and acknowledge others on the street. Not only well dressed executive types but i have had homeless persons smile and say good day without actually asking for alms. This was indeed a big cultural difference i faced when i initially moved here. Also it is very true that desis do not make eye contact with desis on foreign roads. Not only on roads but in communal gatherings like durga puja for instance, desis are usually in groups of their own. Which to a new comer without friends in this country is very intimidating.This does beat the purpose of the gathering in the first place. But there is always hope and out of the 10 desis you meet on roads even if 1 smiles, let that be a positive step. Nice post.
@Shefali
‘The other way round: In the US, how many “natives” do you see acknowledging each other, making eye contact and smiling at strangers of the same ethnic group as them?’

Actually in the US, 90% of natives do smile and acknowledge others on the street. Not only well dressed executive types but i have had homeless persons smile and say good day without actually asking for alms. This was indeed a big cultural difference i faced when i initially moved here. Also it is very true that desis do not make eye contact with desis on foreign roads. Not only on roads but in communal gatherings like durga puja for instance, desis are usually in groups of their own. Which to a new comer without friends in this country is very intimidating.This does beat the purpose of the gathering in the first place.

But there is always hope and out of the 10 desis you meet on roads even if 1 smiles, let that be a positive step.

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]]> By: amreekandesi http://amreekandesi.com/2007/09/30/disunity-in-diversity/comment-page-1/#comment-60 amreekandesi Mon, 01 Oct 2007 11:39:49 +0000 http://amreekandesi.wordpress.com/2007/09/30/disunity-in-diversity/#comment-60 <b>Mahendra</b> - That <i>Pu La</i> quote is so full of wisdom. And thanks for the appreciation <b>Prerna</b> - You are right - cricket and movies are definitely some of the binding factors. But are they enough? <b>Shefaly</b> - The answer to the first question is 'always' and to the second one is 'most of the time'. Dont know about the UK or Switzerland, but i guess this sort of courtesy does exist in the US. Mahendra – That Pu La quote is so full of wisdom. And thanks for the appreciation

Prerna – You are right – cricket and movies are definitely some of the binding factors. But are they enough?

Shefaly – The answer to the first question is ‘always’ and to the second one is ‘most of the time’.
Dont know about the UK or Switzerland, but i guess this sort of courtesy does exist in the US.

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