Thursday 14 February 2019

Leaving ones land ...

I see the students bewailing that they cannot move to USA, with tightening immigration rules. I wish I could show them what a blessing it is.
I have seen my generation. Following the great american dream.
Losing roots, des. Losing the space to serve family and community. Losing the country and citizenship.
For some purported standard of living. For some so called intellectually challenging work.
While the essentials are lost. So completely. That their loss is also forgotten ...


.....
Reading a post on my wall of yesterday. On the infinite losses of those who migrate away from the des, the land.
Daughter, "Amma, you are too much. You keep writing what you want. They dont feel any loss. That is why they went there, and stayed there."
Me, "They, and their children, lose the chance to serve the land that nourished them, and their forefathers. Serve in action. In deed, and word and thought.
Dont you feel that as the greatest of losses ?"
Daughter, "Yes, I do. But they dont maybe. Even the parents dont maybe. They are happy to serve America. "
Me, "What service is needed in a prosperous country ... ?"
Daughter, "Oh, they think they serve science maybe. Who knows ...", and she went away closing the door behind her, and closing the conversation.

Comments
  • Vijay Chacko Loss is of their mother tongue for the next generation, the culture of festivals is gone in it's essence, the dirty looking man on the street disappears. Clean and well laid out streets appear, but they have no soul, cause the stray dog and cow is missing, the wild trees and bushes, around the corner are gone, the soul leaves the body and one becomes part of the western concept of 'secure perfect world'. It is this sense of security that drives people abroad, on the way they lose their identity, if any, and they roam the cold streets like zombies in mars.
    2
    • Kavitha Nistala Gollapudi Vijay Chacko I sort of disagree. Yes we are a part of the western world which is not perfect either. But we have not lost our souls and identity. We are attached to our roots, culture and soil immensely as you are.
    • Aparna Krishnan Over time, and over generations the loss will happen Kavitha. It happens from villages to cities.

      Come back soon !
    • Vijay Chacko Congrats to u for keeping it alive and kicking. I am also living in UK since couple of years. Was giving u a first hand account of myself and my family, that consists of wife and one son aged 10 yrs. Suddenly we started to talk only in English at home not Hindi or malayalam, which we used to few years back. So first loss for my son was Language, now I am spending 8 pounds per hour for online Hindi class to keep up, in case of going back. Secondly we used to celebrate all festivals of all religions back in India. Now the fellow Indians here try a abridged version of few hours celebrations at community cultural centre, that makes no sense in essence to the child, as culture is ongoing process, where children, used to talk with other children, adults would take time out for preparation and it used to seep in our lives slowly but steadily. Not a fast food break. Next is about the regimented lives the kids live of school, home work and any after schools. The aim of parrents here is to outdo each other with children academics only. As if life is only about reaching that coveted university and A levels.They truly miss out on the aimless time spent with friends of all economic, linguistic, and social background, that made me more tolerant and accepting of all types of people. I can go on....
      2
    • Aparna Krishnan " culture is ongoing process ..." Word. 
      That is why one needs to be on the soil of the land. There is no short cut ...
      1
    • Kavitha Nistala Gollapudi Vijay, the situation is no different in India. It might be existing in few parts and among those who truly understand festivals and culture. But the exact ditto environment competition, losing the real meaning of festivals but celebrating lavishly st the cost of many socioeconomic conditions yes exist back home as well. It's upon us I feel - yes there are restrictions here in U.K. Or US but some are good. Recently I've started attending and celebrating Telugu land festivals with the local groups - the culture is alive in true sense even though it's celebrated in community hall. Mindful for others and neighbours . I don't mind it as long as we don't forget the history of these festivals vs just name sake celebrations and eating.
    • Vijay Chacko Hi Kavitha, I get ur perspective and hard reality of times. Our common challenge is how to ensure that the next generation can have their identity alive and have something to pass on to the next, as we r trying.....
    • Aparna Krishnan And yet, the very soil matters. However alienating upper class urban India lives are becoming, still some thing about the very ground roots.

      That is my feeling.
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