In UAE I became more Indian

For most Indian expatriates, love for the home-land manifests as soon as they leave the shores of the country to seek a better life else-where. This patriotism, a compensation for homesickness, is brought to life through celebrations, particularly of India's special occasions such as Republic and Independence days and religious festivals that bring people together onto a common platform, wherever they are - just being Indian. If you hail from the same state in India, the bond gets even stronger with the same language. After all, there are more than 1,600 mother tongues spoken in India. Of this, a sizeable population speaks at least 150 and the constitution of India recognises 22 as official languages.
Even though I've lived in the Gulf for almost 30 years, my ties with India are stronger than ever. I am a patriot at heart. On days such as January 26, the longing and pride of being an Indian amplifies all the more. Courtesy work, I have maintained closer ties. The country is evolving, and at a fast pace. On a recent visit to Kochi and Chennai, I was impressed by the changes taking place in the country. One has to actually experience the change, the transformation. Indeed the strength and future of India is its youth. I was happy to see young women excelling in different fields.
When we flew from Chennai to Kochi, the pilot was a confident young woman. There are lady auto drivers, women working in petrol stations, all contributing to the economy, their homes and families. When I was growing up, I was considered an outgoing boisterous type - wearing jeans and driving a two-wheeler. Today, this is nor-mal. Women wear jeans; are increasingly independent, ride two wheelers and pilot planes.
When one travels abroad, the subject of 'rapes in India' invariably come up for discussion. I assure them that India is a safe country and that instances highlighted are cases of crime that can and do happen anywhere in the world. Of course, most families in India are protective of their womenfolk. Growing up, it was a must for the daughter of the house to be back home by 6pm or before sunset. In case of any outings later in the evening or night, someone older in the family accompanied them. Nowadays, local residents keep vigil. Cameras have been installed on roads and lanes and anyone can inform the police about suspicious activity in the area. The goal is to keep the community crime free and the neighbourhood safe and clean. Senior government officials are supporting various social causes and taking extra efforts to bring the community together. For example, the collector of Kozhikode has come up with an initiative to provide for the hungry through coupons at restaurants in the district.
What I truly admire about India is that talented youth can make their mark and overcome challenges irrespective of their economic circumstances. There are hundreds of examples, one being a truck driver's son who went on to become a well-known neurosurgeon. The young are also excelling in different fields. Professionals are opting to work in tribal areas, the young are committed to social work such as educating slum children. There are hundreds and thousands of untold stories in India. This is the India that is waiting to be discovered, the India that will continue to make its mark in the world, and the India that will lead the world. Happy Republic Day, Jai Hind.
suchitra@khaleejtimes.com