Search for identity?

I was quiet unaware that I might think of this one day until I landed in the land of opportunities.

Who am I? Although that question could be answered in many different ways, I was always looking for one answer...the origin, yes what is my origin.

Even though Indians and India itself is proud of its different cultures, I believe we all share the same heritage. There was no way that I would have been exposed to different cultures of the world if I had not been to this melting pot of this century, the US of A. There are lot of things that happened which made me think who we as Indians are by origin. I dont know if it is necessarily a good thing or bad thing to think about something like this, but I always had this curiosity which made me research in that direction. Aryan origins and their migration and settlements, even DNA test results of present day Indians to trace their origin, I tried to gather as much data as I can from the internet. Was it really worthwhile? Probably some of it yes as I came to know some of the facts but most of that time was worthless as I did nothing but to find something that will discriminate myself from others.

In US, I have experienced lot of racial discriminating things, which I am sure you would have if you are from minority. "Go back to your Country" cry from someone buzzing in a car by you. A soda can thrown at you at Walmart parking lot. I have more that I experienced but I dont want to talk about them. I was disgusted by the fact that how un-educated these people could be that they are so unaware of all these different cultures and religions. As from the minority, it was easy for me to say that. I thought over it again...is it about America? No I am sure such things will and do happen in India and everywhere else in the world. People just like to feel the air of superiority over others by differentiating themselves from others. There are racial discriminations all over the world but that is because one race believes itself to be superior to others.

I was moved by the movie "Hotel Rwanda". It is about aftermath of when French people divided people of Rwanda into two categories based on their looks. And now even though French people have left Rwanda, they still are fighting amongst themselves for the superiority. If you havent seen the movie yet...go see it. I assure you that you will be moved by the incidents.

The other day I was talking to one of my colleagues who is Persian by origin. He was amazed when I told him that Persia was named "Iran" because the word Iran means something, to be specific "Land of Aryans". They believe the Aryans inhabitted their land or rather originated from that land. Hitler had same thoughts about his motherland before he went out of his mind. Anyway me and my colleague had a good talk as I was telling him how culturally and by language Indians and Persians are similar (Thanks to my some worthwhile research). Their new year, most of their words in day to day life from persian have their counterparts in hindi. But that is because Hindi originates from Urdu which in turn was invented by Mughals to standardize the language in their army consisting of turks, persians, afganis and indians. Indian history points to the Aryans settling on the banks of Sindhu. I dont know if its true, but thats what seems to be the common man's perception of present day India. I personally think this whole Aryan theory is just disgusting.

India is no different when it comes to discrimination. People in India seem to get wrong perception of the caste system in Indian culture. Brahmins or so called supreme caste of India believe that they are born brahmins! Brahmin = The one who knows Brahma/Everything. It is kind of degree you have to earn and not inherit from your parents. Why you think you are superior? And thats just not it....every caste has subcastes and they fight amongst eachother. This is just ridiculous. I am ashamed to call myself brahmin or any caste for that matter after any such discrimination.

Anyway enough of that waywardness in my talk. My whole point is: People do discriminate, and it is wrong thing to do. If you want to be superior prove it yourself and dont base it on something your forefathers lied to you about! It is just so lovely that we have people from different backgrounds and culture in this world. Like spices of life. It is just wrong to say one spice is better than others.

To again clarify my point: I am not talking about the revolution which will make us forget our traditions and culture, but I am talking about respecting and treating everyone equally without having air of superiority. It starts from your mind. Dont blame government for its laws. Ask this question to yourself before you blame others. And it applies to all of us...not just one race or caste.

So finally Who am I? A brown guy/sand digger for all the Americans? A Marathi/an uppercaste or a Brahmin for all the Indians? No I am just a normal guy who has no race and no caste.

Who are you?

-Manish