What is it with some of these people
Non Resident Indians
Green Card Applicants
Newly flown countrymen
On groups one finds questions
'Is India safe to travel ?'
'Are facilities available in India ?'
'Are things available in shops ?'
These questions annoy me
Like no other
For reasons stated
And I know not how better to explain.
India is safe as safe can be
Not as safe as Scandinavian
Safer than many who we always pray for
We have the best, good and the bad like any on earth.
Our capital cities are as safe as any big city in the world
Our tourist places just as friendly as others
You stretch out your arms to embrace
And you will get an embrace like no other.
No one talks of safety in other cities
Like gangs and guns in New York
Some street robbers in Paris
Few thieves in Rome.
Wherever one travels
One needs to take care
Of personal and possession safety
Like anywhere in the world.
I can understand people
Whose skin and hair colour is different from mine
Due to their ancestral genes asking this question
And am happy to answer and caution where required.
But it irritates me no end when asked by
Those of my colour and ancestors
Whose skin has changed by two shades in three decades
The acquired accent showing through at all times.
Acting as though they dropped on foreign soil by miracle
Asking these questions so blatant
Who do you think you are trying
To impress by your mockery and show.
You may no more swear allegiance by your erstwhile motherland
You may choose to say you don't remember
You may act as though you lived few inches off ground
When you lived here before.
You may have forgotten the road home
Your mind might have the picture of old
Of a nation that was building brick by brick
From the debris leftover by inhabitants from your current home.
But my dear, do not say you forgot
Your motherland and her lap
That nurtured you and nourished you with her soil
Whose chest you stomped, ran and jumped on.
Do not say you don't know
The sweet smell(manvasanai) of this land called India
Whose fruits you relished and ate
Where you dreamed your biggest dreams.
Your erstwhile mother as always proud
Of all her children near and far
Stands tall praising your success and achievements
Happy in your happiness and glory.
So stop putting on a show
As though you are bigger better fairer
And come to see your erstwhile home if you wish to
Devoid of the snobbery and false show.
Or if you still think you are an other wordly element
Do go about how you wish
Please strut around in your own bubble
Because we are growing tired of your show.
Do not ever forget that I am here
One of many children who chose to stay
Build and rebuild to make better
A land for me and my brethren.
I will always welcome you my dears
To my heart and home, wide open
To listen, share and learn from experiences
To build a better home called Earth.
But also know that I will defend
Tooth and nail my motherland that I adore
To protect her honour and her children
Who will stand tall forever and lore.
(Reminded of the song, 'Aye mere pyare watan' from Kabuliwala)
