I’M NOT representing the world’s teenage population here, but it is a teenager’s opinion.
I’m at a stage where so many things in the world are a disappointment. In some ways, I’m a disappointment myself. But, that does not stop me from being happy, from doing what I love.
In this world of scams, rapes, corruption, manipulation, animal abuse, global warming, etc., I wonder where I stand. The glorified ads that a country’s Tourism Ministry showcases, to attract people, is far from the “Life’s just peachy here.” I understand that they have to broadcast this to make people realise the worth of their country.
I am patriotic myself, and I never blame the country; I believe in the quote: “The people make the country what it is.” I feel proud that I can remember all the state capitals when so many people of my age ask, “Which country is Shillong in?” This is the state of a fraction of the youth in India.
Nobody asks our opinion on a lot of topics, like reservation, why everybody can’t work and earn the credit rather than getting a seat just because you belong to SC/ST/OBC is beyond me. Rather, a monetary help to anyone unable to afford the high fee of the colleges, no matter what the caste. Inter-caste or inter-religion marriages are a big no-no. Why, because apparently it will be beneath the dignity of any caste or religion to marry outside their respective hierarchy? If you dream of a love marriage, forget it, caste and religion will get in the way of everything.
Caste should have been long forgotten, and as for religion, it should just be existent for worshipping. I’ve seen many people who preach that, “God is one.” But, when it comes to marrying off their sons or daughters, they say, “No, he/she’s a Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian, etc. You can’t marry him/her.” I blame the stereotypes, whether it’s state-wise, religion-wise or caste-wise. The way we stereotype the people is sickening and the main cause of why unity doesn’t exist in the country.
I’ve seen people stereotyping Northeast girls as being too “forward” Sindhi people for being miserly, Muslims for being “terrorists and anti-India.” This is simply not true in each of the case, no matter who you are or where you’re from; the stereotypes will define you. My friends, who are Muslims, their fathers are in the armed forces; the choices Northeast girls make is not for you to judge. In my college for example, I’ve seen students from Kerala in one group, students from Bihar in another, students from Dehradun, Mumbai, Delhi or Nainital in others. It’s sad to see all this. There are a few exceptions, of course. But, nobody cares about the exceptions when there are the “tt cliques.”
But should all these stop us from being happy? I guess not.
Aishwarya Katoch, student of NIFT Bangalore now residing in Shillong