What makes India - India and Me an Indian ?

Going by the words of Jayaprakash Narayan -"the states of India are held together by force and not by the sentiment of a common nationality. It is an assumption that makes a mockery of the Indian Nation and a tyrant of the Indian State". These words were controversial especially having said in the context of an independent Kashmir. But thinking over it 44 years later I am not sure how to see it.

Recently over a cup of tea with my dad, we had a conversation over this issue. No matter how many ever times I have heard the same things, I love to hear it from him. After all, its his thoughts that formed my early idea of the world. But now, I feel I have grown tall enough to reach outside his shadows to think on my feet. Big enough to question his thoughts. Whatever, at 23 I still love listening to him.

After going through phases were he believed that the Nehru family were more of a curse than good to our country he now admits he might have thought wrong. "Thats something we all Indians have uniquely common irrespective of where we hail from and what we believe in" - he says. Cummon dad..I thought putting up a face that convinced him that I was with him. But the way I am, made me hesitant to agree with him. I had to think different. I am tall now. I am grown-up.

On my trip back from India I was busy finding reason why I shouldn't agree with his statement. Do we need a 'Nehru family' to define ourselves?? Although I respected the Nehru family till he made that statement; I started thinking otherwise now. I was thinking the way my dad thought when he was my age.

Language..what do we have in common? More than 200 languages spoken in 30 states not considering the regional variations. People of all possible faiths and sects. Food, dress, culture, art.... you name it, you'll find more than a 100 types. Ours is a land thats proud of its diversity, not commonness. Even if anything is common its not unique to us. So what are we left with??? Are we held together by force rather than sentiment? Whats the common sentiment we share? The likes of Nehru family ?? The Tata's , the Birla's , the Ambani's?

True isnt it? When the Tata's make the news for good I feel proud with them and in their loss I share a part of their disappointment. Being no way related to them it feels kind'f weird when I think of it now. For the world they represent India and maybe I feel that I am identified through them. The more I think of it the more I see my thoughts being grounded. That leaves me with two choices - JP or dad; tough indeed. If my dad is wrong, then JP's words fits perfect. And I am left trying to put up a face to convince myself that I am with my dad.

Anyday I'll choose Nehru to JP.