First things first I know I said I will continue the blog the next day and now its been more than two days – my apologies. Jerky start to the blog but I have learned a lesson – I am not as regular as I think I am. So looking at all practical circumstances I will try and write atleast 3 times a week. With the commitment done lets move on...
The second question that 'I Am' raises is:
2. Defining your roots?
The first thing that comes to mind when one says roots is how do I exactly define my roots? My Dad's grandfather was from Multan (Pakistan) and my Mom's grandfather was from Peshawar (Pakistan) - neither of my parents have ever lived in those places - after independence the families moved to India. Both my parents were born and brought up in India. Yet my Dad's Multani and my mom Peshawari. Infact my parents for the most part were raised in North India - making us Punjabis like most North Indians. To top it all I was born and brought up in Delhi - so what exactly are my roots?
The closest association that I can draw to my roots is the language and food. Both my parents like yours I'm sure can speak the language of their sects and most feasts hosted display my mothers ability to continue the legacy via family recipes. I can neither speak nor cook any of the above, but surely do understand some parts of my parents conversations with their siblings and relish every meal during feasts.
I think roots are important - its like a name tag that soldiers have for identification. But in todays cosmopolitan cities - growing up in an environment where English is the only language that we want to speak in and a Church wedding is 'oh so classy' - somewhere the term roots is getting mixed up. Whats worrying is that the next generation might be born and brought up in yet another state/country/continent and that, my friends, would be the ultimate confusion.
Picture this Marathi Dad and Bengali Mom have a son who is born in the US - the son marries a Canadian - golden question what will their daughters roots be? Its this jigsaw puzzle that we all tread on a daily basis. Its this cross-breeding that is leading to a new order.
So Samrath has become Sam and Nikunj has become Nick. Golden brown is one of the top selling hair colours and regional literature is only available at the garage sale. Good or bad you decide - but one thing is for sure - our forefathers are turning in their graves.
(Next question soon - and there are only two more - after that we pick up one more movie/serial)
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