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> I highly doubt if a farmer in a village in Kerala would consider a village in Punjab as belonging to his nation. Data point of one (and social circle of one)

> I highly doubt if a farmer in a village in Kerala would consider a village in Punjab as belonging to his nation. Data point of one (and social circle of one), but this is how I feel, an average citizen coming from tiny village in one part of country. This is how I and everyone around me were raised. We are not rich, we used to be poor, but we never considered Punjab or Bengal or Tamilnadu or Mizoram were anything but my country. I went to college and met people from vast majority of the country and I never felt they were not from my country. Sure the language was different, the cultures were different, we looked a little different but it was never in question that we belonged to a 'different' country. For the record, I do not come from a privileged background, my family worked hard for multiple generations to get where we are, we are not rich by any measure of the world even today, and Hindi is not my native language. I am proud of what happens to be my native language and speak in it everywhere I can. I do not like the push for Hindi if there ever was one that made a difference, and I like to believe politicians have learned their lesson on that one (besides, having what are effectively two dozen Quebecs in the country actually plays in politicians' favor). I understand not everyone would think like me or those around me. But even when I hear ramblings about out-of-state migrations and social issues across the country (not a participants, just to get it out there), the question of 'others' not belonging to the same country never enters the discussion.

foolinaround 5y ago
> the question of 'others' not belonging to the same country never enters the discussion Agreed, no one AFAIK thinks the other does not belong to India. There is a bit of racism in certain corners about the North East folks, considered as 'non Indian' primarily due to lack of awareness, since they do not conform to an 'Indian look' The issue is more on 'outside my state' - as seen in response to the various riparian struggles across the country. Some examples: - The Shiv Sena in Mumbai was formed for this very reason - No state except Tamil Nadu will accept having as its chief minister, someone who is not born from or speaking its language etc. The roots run deep. --- Coming to the feeling of patriotism, Tamils are as or more patriotic than any other people when it comes to the concept of 'belonging to India', but these feelings are put under a lot of stress because of the unique situation, where people of their own race (outside of India) were given a short shrift both by local and national politicians. There is a lot of soul searching on what it means to be a Tamil. Obviously there is no consensus.
vishnugupta 5y ago
I don't think I conveyed it explicitly enough. When I wrote "...in a village in Kerala" I was referring to a farmer contemporary of Chanakya ~2500 years ago. That period of India fascinates me; dozen or so Janapadas ruling India. Specifically, day to day lives of people; how they felt about their identities vis-a-vis region/state/nation. Coming to your eloquently stated comment I 100% respect that and totally relate with your sentiment. In fact it more or less mirrors my life (growing up, being exposed to different cultures in college etc.,); except that I'm from a neighbouring southern state :-)

foolinaround 5y ago

> the question of 'others' not belonging to the same country never enters the discussion Agreed, no one AFAIK thinks the other does not belong to India. There is a bit of racism in certain corners about the North East folks, considered as 'non Indian' primarily due to lack of awareness, since they do not conform to an 'Indian look' The issue is more on 'outside my state' - as seen in response to the various riparian struggles across the country. Some examples: - The Shiv Sena in Mumbai was formed for this very reason - No state except Tamil Nadu will accept having as its chief minister, someone who is not born from or speaking its language etc. The roots run deep. --- Coming to the feeling of patriotism, Tamils are as or more patriotic than any other people when it comes to the concept of 'belonging to India', but these feelings are put under a lot of stress because of the unique situation, where people of their own race (outside of India) were given a short shrift both by local and national politicians. There is a lot of soul searching on what it means to be a Tamil. Obviously there is no consensus.

vishnugupta 5y ago

I don't think I conveyed it explicitly enough. When I wrote "...in a village in Kerala" I was referring to a farmer contemporary of Chanakya ~2500 years ago. That period of India fascinates me; dozen or so Janapadas ruling India. Specifically, day to day lives of people; how they felt about their identities vis-a-vis region/state/nation. Coming to your eloquently stated comment I 100% respect that and totally relate with your sentiment. In fact it more or less mirrors my life (growing up, being exposed to different cultures in college etc.,); except that I'm from a neighbouring southern state :-)