Who am I- Indian or Keralaite or Tamilian?

Please don’t see any racial undertone in this article. I am an Indian first, and for me everything comes next.

Finally, when I started writing a blog on my native state Kerala, I had decided I would use this forum primarily for criticizing our failings collectively as a society. However, I never meant to use this site for fault finding. After all, who is so perfect? But, it was my intention to use this blog to express my feelings as a Keralaite (I am not being chauvinistic.) within the larger framework of our Indian nationhood.

Unlike many who feel they are human beings first, I feel I am an Indian first. It gives me a special identity that can tell the world what kind of human being I am. Wait a minute, we shall discuss them in the next blogs.

I am currently staying in Chennai. The other day, my neighbour (an aunt whose family hails from Nagarcoil ) asked me a question. Are we Malayalis arrogant by nature? First, I did not understand what she meant. Also, I don’t know the reason for her sudden provocation. Being closer to Kerala, she might have experienced some bitterness in the hands of Malayalis. Nevertheless, I wonder if it is a sufficient reason to brand the entire population as arrogant. I voiced my difference.

I told her that Keralaites have created an aura of image about them. Yes, they are known for their cleanliness, neat dressing, literacy, political consciousness, women’s empowerment, female illiteracy (stressed this point because my opponent was an uneducated women in her 60’s.) and many other outstanding human development indices. I told her our development as a progressive society and our pride in being a part of it might have been viewed as arrogance.

What I want to prove to her is the meaning of a very famous advertisement slogan “Owners pride, neighbours envy’. There is nothing uncommon if a Mallu wants to view others in the same footing. He expects others to be neat, clean, educated or else he might look down upon them with contempt. (He might do this even if it is a Mallu neighbour. Please don’t see any racial undertone in this blog.
Though the roots of a Mallu is firmly held in the Dravidian culture which he shares with his brothers in other states in the South, he is way ahead of them in his liberal thinking. To substitute my argument, I can say we are not controlled in our life by our heroes in the silver screen. We don’t commit suicide when our heroes or leaders say good bye to this world. Moreover, we are not swayed by petty emotions.
People of Kerala and Tamil Nadu have almost the same physical features. Yes, like any other Indian, there are differences dictated by geography, climate and living styles. If we go closer to the state borders, you will never differentiate a Malayali from a Tamilian. Even the language sounds the same.
Then, we do we have these chauvinistic feelings? Can’t we live under the umbrella of nationhood harmoniously? Yes, Malayalis are also to be blamed for their often heard notoriety. He believes he is a notch ahead of his other countrymen in a few areas. Interestingly, there are such divisions within the state.

I used to argue with my brother-in-law about the greatness of our districts. He used to say his state Ernakulam is the best and I would counter him elaborating the greatness of Kannur.

Let us take these in all competitive way when we march ahead as a nation. You might be a Keralaite or Tamilian or Telugu or Hindiwallah, but you are an Indian first. I am sure you will appreciate my article.