Page 34 - Seniorstoday Aug 2024 Issue
P. 34
Mind Matters
What is an Indian?
Born free. Privileged to live free; to enjoy our independence, writes
Dr Monika Dass
“Don’t limit a child to your own learning, obvious. “Well, everyone speaks different
for she was born in another time”– languages, people wear different clothes,
Rabindranath Tagore and we all eat different food… but what
makes us all Indian?”
Sharing a story from the internet! Rather humbly, I realise that I can’t give
A baking hot day in early August in her a quick answer. How do you sum up
Bombay, not too long ago. An old Irani a nation of one billion people (and who
gentleman and his granddaughter sit in knows how many gods) for a child?
the shade of his café, underneath the least Her curiosity, however, must be nurtured;
erratic fan. The little girl turns to her her sense of wonder and openness
grandfather with a quizzical look on her preserved. I must think of an answer.
face, and asks him a question…. So, I talk. I begin by telling her of the
“Dada, what is an Indian?” many peoples that have shaped our
I pause. Blink. Clear my throat. What landscape, of the rise and fall of emperors
do I tell her? Which of the many possible and empresses, the religions that have
answers should I give to that simple, waxed and waned, of the laws that have
innocent question? been passed. I describe the influence of the
I take a moment to think. “Why do you British and how their control over India
ask?” made us feel robbed of our freedom and
She looks around the café, as if it’s basic rights. I speak of Bapu, the father of
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