And I was thinking....

For all those who might think that I am trying to preach the lesson of regional bonding or on the other hand, think that I am trying to be defensive in my next argument, I request you to not read ahead and in spite of my warning if you do, I have every right to not care.

For years, all the ones that I have lived and bonded with people, I have taken many different identities. Although I am bad at learning languages, I adapt to the culture quickly, along with the habits and nuances expected from any harmonious culture. I have given different kinds of introductions to people. But the big draw always comes when I take the name of my home state. When you say “BIHAR” there are three distinct reactions you can expect, fear, distaste or a scorn. Never in my quarter century of life have I ever faced any other reaction. And to be honest, there were times I got angry. Angry at the fact that no one gave us a chance and no one looked beyond. But then I stopped caring. Right like I mentioned at the start of this conversation. But this article is not about that.

Its about the difference I feel when I connect with anyone back home. I don’t mean my family. They are like me, a little difference here and there, but the educated lot behaves the same anywhere, more or less.

Its when you talk to the people who have been living there all their life. The ones who see a mockery of their language everyday on TV screens and yet just laugh it off. The ones who see the whole nation make them the scapegoat of any thing wrong, or blame it for being the black sheep amongst the big prosperous white woolly herd. The ones who are unaware that the minute someone sees a rickshaw puller, a driver or a guard anywhere in any other state, don’t trust him just cause of his home ground.

But they do know a couple of things. They know they are the cradle of the so called civilization as we know it today. They know that the “ganga maiya” they are so fond of, and pray, adore and fear is the one which sustains more than half this nation alone. They also do know that when you talk to anyone, your language and style of speaking should drip with respect. There is a certain sense of “tehzeeb” which they keep. They know that they are the hardest working lot. After all, it not easy to take a nation 2500 km end to end and cover it fully by acquiring different jobs in various domains.

They do know that they make up a big part of the scientific research community of the world. They do know that out of the 100 who qualify for the civil services every year, at least 40 belong to their state alone. No other state holds that record. They do know that the minute there is a competitive exam, they will ace it. No wonder even Tamil Nadu is full of Biharis.
They do know all this. Or are they too busy trying to defend themselves from accusations to even notice all this. It’s nothing to be proud of. Its just a way of life. A way of life which other people are either scared to admit, or just too blind to see.

I will not do what others do to my state, but my humble request would be to know your state better before commenting on someone else’s ground. To remember its after all India.