INDIA- An Outsider’s Affinity

Yes, This is my first official entry in the blog.

Yes, I AM that lazy.

Bite Me.

Anywho,

It was just day before yesterday, when my friend came over to

meet me, in a weirdly grumpy mood. After not-so-much deliberation, she went on to tell me that a bunch of “firangs” had come to her college, gave a presentation on “Dharavi”, the biggest slum in Asia, concentrating on all the usual topics these documentaries are known to cover, POVERTY, Lack of EDUCATION and Corruption/POLITICS.

Well, that’s not so new is it? Has any ONE of you wondered as to why ALL foreigners relate INDIA to the word POVERTY? Why doesn’t anybody make long-ass documentaries on the MILLIONS of malls, commercial centres and the massive upcoming of the private sector?

Our nation, my brothers and their sisters, is a money-pit. Investors from ALL over, are dumping money into our markets, our companies, hell, even the top officials in THEIR own companies are Indians.

So, Why the affinity to our SLUMS?

There can be many theories, depending on the perspective. But hey, My blog, My view. Feel free to leave yours in the comments section.

Coming back, Is the above mentioned “affinity” because it makes THEM feel better about themselves? Is it a matter of Superiority? Or maybe it takes the heat off their own issues.

That, was the problem. “Now What?” you may ask.

The next time these “firangs” walk up to you, and ask you the directions for Dharavi, or dhobi-ghaat, direct them to the nearest Commercial Centre and show them the INDIA, we all have come to know, or very genuinely sit them down and ask them as to exactly WHAT about Daharaavi draws them to it.

The REAL India, is NOT the poverty, politics, unemployment and the feeling of utter chaos, not anymore anyway.

What represents the REAL India Now?

The Real India, for me, is us, The Educated and the very much aware youth, The REAL India is, TATA buying over JAGUAR, as if it was loose-change, VENKY’s Poultry buying the English Premier League team, Blackburn Rovers, The Real India, is the new-age cinema, viz Dev-D, Rang De Basanti, Yeh Saali Zindagi, Being Cyrus, etc being churned out by the same industry which was known to produce movies which included people dancing around trees to sad music, The Real India is the “new & improved” mind-sets of people.

I can keep going.

We are far from the “Third-world country” tag, and we’ve worked for it, the credit for which NOBODY, and I repeat NOBODY, can ever take away from us. We didn’t have things handed over to us in a silver spoon, unlike some.

So, a message to all the “Outsiders” , who might be reading this, Please Ask your people to find some other pastime, or take professional help, if they are not happy with themselves. We’d love you guys to visit, of course we do, who doesn’t like meeting new people?

What we do ask from you, is to remember two fundamentals,

Respect, is a give and take commodity, and

Clear the chinks in your own armour, before you go ahead "advising" others on theirs.

We have advanced, seems like you'll haven't.

Come over, have the local brew, party, enjoy the crowd, mind your own business.

Do not disrespect, in the name of help. We are more than capable of taking care of ourselves.

Take a hint from your own, trademark line "They come to our country and take our jobs".We wouldn't have, had you not been so daft.

Cheers.