“Is English your language?”
“No, but it’s good to respect others” I tried to persuade that voice.
“Really? Is this respect?” that voice tried to haunt me again
“Yes, sacrifice is the highest
form of respect” I tried to convince.
“Sacrifice? Who told you that? Is forgetting your true personality and
trying to copy someone is known as sacrifice?” Words ended with a laugh.
“I am not copying anyone. I am trying to be myself.” I said.
“You are really you? Just tell me that you so boast about your country
on one side and in the midst of so many unique languages you posses, you give
importance to a language which is not even yours? Isn’t that strange? That
voice tried to push me off
“Go to hell and don’t try to disturb me, ” I said annoyingly.
With a jerk I looked around and saw a long line of students. I joined
that queue to submit the form, I completed. After half an hour, I was all free
from that mess of students. I looked towards the road and looked towards the
building. Most of the hoardings were in English. I took my earphones out and
started listening to my playlist. The very first song that started:
“Nothing else matters”
“Ha ha ha ha”
I could sense a small laugh inside my head. It was that same voice
which tried to teach me about my own country. But I ignored it again and
started listening to the music and tried to relax. As I started walking I saw
one of my friends coming towards me.
“Hi DV” He said.
“Hello CS” I responded with a smile.
“Have you watched FIFA world cup semi final” He exclaimed.
“Yo Dude, that was awesome. You saw that amazing goal by Muller” I
wasn’t able to hide my excitement.
“Yes, that was great and how well they played.....”
And we both continued talking about it. After half an hour I left that
place.
“FIFA? That's Indian right?” That same irritating voice again
rejuvenated.
“So what we have Sachin The god of cricket” I said in a flash.
“God of what?” That voice repeated.
“God of Cricket” I said.
“Since when Cricket is an Indian game” That voice again tried to test
me.
That voice wasn’t saying anything wrong and I knew that. May be that
was the reason of my anger towards it.
“Ok then tell me do you feel proud in studying in a Hindi medium
school” That voice again started softly.
“No, not at all, I and everyone in this world want to grow. Everyone
wants a better life and that’s possible only after earning good money. We need
to learn English for that to happen. I am responsible for the good health of my
family by earning money and providing them good food and shelter” I tried to
speak with that voice without uttering a word.
“I thought India was free?”
that voice said.
“Yes, we live in free India” I said, trying to feel proud.
“You still feel proud living in a place that feels down on accepting
their own language in their work place. Isn’t that amazing that your stars are
mostly outside rather than an insider, be it sports, actors, music, artist or
even academics.” That voice was now trying to control me.
“We have every brightest star like CV Raman, Aryabhatta, Swami
Vivekananda and so on” I said.
“Do you ever follow their path or teachings” That voice murmured.
“.......” I had no words.
“I am literally amazed at a person who feels proud about his identity
which has nothing to do with his country. A person who is ready to fight for
his country and on the contrary doesn’t accept its originality. A person who
enjoys every pleasure of another terrain and yet tries to convince others that
“It’s same”” That voice said sarcastically.
“No, I am not that bad” I was
startled.
“That is yours to decide.” That voice laughed and disappeared.
I again got up and went down at my place. I was constantly looking
around and was looking at all the youngsters wearing football jerseys of
different countries. Few of them were trying to speak in English and they were
proud of the fact that they were fluent in it.
I entered into a ground and sat on a bench. There were so many kids
playing cricket and football.
“Hey Dv” My friend said.
“Hey, how are you doing,” I said.
“I am good, just going to the market.” He said.
“Oh, that is good.” I said
“You saw that movie Rocky-V, it was coming on TV yesterday” He said.
“No, I was watching Mahabharta” I said.
“What? Ha ha ha ha” He said.
“What happen?” I said, looking at him.
“I mean you should grow up. Stop watching such a crap; these are so
old that even the character doesn’t know about its existence.” He said.
“Oh, leave this crap.” I said
“Hey, I got to know from Ram that you were learning an instrument?” My
friend said.
“Yes, I was learning guitar” I said with a smile.
“Yeah, that’s like a good boy” He said.
“Really?” I started laughing.
“Yes dude, this is something cool as it gives a great impression on
others. You should also learn English songs” He said
“But I mostly play Hindi songs” I said, looking at him.
“That all is fine, but do play English song, this is the 21st century.
Try to listen to Pink Floyd, Beatles, etc.” He said in exclamation.
“Okays, I will try” I said
After 10 minutes he left for his work and I was still sitting on that
bench.
I was still in that deep thought of “Where India is or even what is
India”. I never thought about it and to be frank, I never had time to do it.
Since childhood, I had so many books to read to reach college that I never had
other ideas. Reading in Hindi medium school was like a big dent on the pride of
a family. It was not a surprise, but it was a truth. We never had time or I
must say the courage to ponder on these thoughts. I was not the first one who
was in this dilemma. There are still numerous lives that are battling with this
truth. They are sacrificing the identity of their country and themselves in
front of their need and so called fortune.
I stood up and started walking towards my home when I saw an aunty. It
was evident looking at her that she was going to a temple. We believe in God,
didn’t we? This was again a question worth debating like the one I was in.
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