Since it was India's 61st Independence Day on Friday, it made me think about my motherland Sri Lanka. Sri lanka got her Independence from the British regime couple of months after India got it's own...and on the 4th of February 1948 Sri lanka was FREE, apparently.Dawn my dearest friend and a couple of other blog-mates had questions like this in their blogs, related to Independence:
**Are we really Independent?
**What does Independence to a country mean for the people of that country?
**What does Independence to a country mean for the people of that country?
**What is Independence to you?
I don't know about every person on this Earth but I'm not a Nationalist. I never say Im 'proud' to be Sri Lankan or Aussie etc etc. Not cos I don't appreciate my origins but I don't understand what people mean when they say they are 'proud' of it. Where is that pride coming from? For doing what? Fair enough, we love our origins and we have a sense of belonging in it. And that's great. Nothing more nothing less. But to say we are proud of something, I think we ought to have done something towards the good of the country in question. All our ancestors did great things for our nations yes, but of recent, what have we done?
Instead of my Nationality, I'd rather be proud of my Humanity. Cos that's what matters in the end anyways. And as for my country, I'm yet to do something to be proud of.
On Independence Day, alot of ppl (in Sri Lanka) gather and go on parades etc etc. There's a public holiday and some people just rave and rant about how FREE and GREAT they are etc etc. But they do that only on Independence Day! The rest of the days in the year, no one even talks abt Freedom, Compassion, Love to one another. Instead there's a bloody war going on between the Sinhalese and Tamils for 20+ years! Now do I call that Independence? NO.
I don't know about every person on this Earth but I'm not a Nationalist. I never say Im 'proud' to be Sri Lankan or Aussie etc etc. Not cos I don't appreciate my origins but I don't understand what people mean when they say they are 'proud' of it. Where is that pride coming from? For doing what? Fair enough, we love our origins and we have a sense of belonging in it. And that's great. Nothing more nothing less. But to say we are proud of something, I think we ought to have done something towards the good of the country in question. All our ancestors did great things for our nations yes, but of recent, what have we done?Instead of my Nationality, I'd rather be proud of my Humanity. Cos that's what matters in the end anyways. And as for my country, I'm yet to do something to be proud of.
On Independence Day, alot of ppl (in Sri Lanka) gather and go on parades etc etc. There's a public holiday and some people just rave and rant about how FREE and GREAT they are etc etc. But they do that only on Independence Day! The rest of the days in the year, no one even talks abt Freedom, Compassion, Love to one another. Instead there's a bloody war going on between the Sinhalese and Tamils for 20+ years! Now do I call that Independence? NO.
Now if these ppl really stopped and practiced FREEDOM/INDEPENDENCE, I don't think our country would be shedding tears for this long. This goes to the Politicians too. None of them are really interested in the wellbeing of the country, instead they just like to celebrate the fact that they are not UNDER WHITE RULE anymore! That's what these hard nationalists are celebrating, nothing else. For if they are really independent and want every citizen to receive and enjoy that Freedom, there wont be such a terrible, pathetic, bloody war going for that long in the nation...all because one has Tamil blood, and another has Sinhalese blood!My point is, it's so very easy for us to get carried away with National pride on Independence Day but really do nothing for our country - the problems remain and the wars go on, even among the closest of mates. So I say NO, we are not really Independent. We are still bound by SUPERIORITY and HATRED in many ways. We are still very dependent on them! And up until that's cleared, we shall remain Fake freedom enjoyers, just celebrating the day that we got our countries back from White rule. It's all about we got it back from the Whites, that's all! But look at what they did...atleast they built great roads and infrastructure of the nations they were ruling.
Any gratitude for that? And we are happily enjoying their works even today. But what has our own politicians and so-called hard nationalists done to our nations under their so-called great nationalistic rule? Nothing but kill one another. I'm appalled.Dawny asked us what does Independence to a country mean for the people of that country?
I say even if one citizen in that country is hungry, dying, ill treated or discriminated for his race or culture or language or status etc, then NO that country still hasnt achieved Independence...Independence from his own fellowmen.
Another friend asked what is Independence to me?
Independence to me is being able to be myself, without treading on another's freedom to be themselves. Independence to me is to see beyond my nationality...to see the humanity in me...to reach out to all, equally.
So tell me, What is Independence or Liberty or Freedom to you?Are we all really independent citizens?
What are you proud of when you say you're proud to be Sri Lankan or Indian or Aussie etc etc?
Current Music: We Are The World (USA for Africa)
195 Cranium Signets:
I am proud ta be ME!
I am more of a Humanist too. Events like the Olympics don't unite Earthlings it does more to exacerbate the disparities between the countries and all of the Nationalism is just another way of separating us into different imaginary groups.
Nationalism fuels friction and a quick glance at the news will reveal more than 50 armed conflicts taking place right now.
What we need is a template along the lines of John Lennon's song Imagine...nothing to kill or die for.
I am grateful that I live in a secular society within a country that attempts to level the playing field but it is still riddled with political correctness and it, like every other country on Earth, was taken by force. History is written by the victors and unfortunately I see no end in sight for most of the troubles that Nationalism causes..not in my lifetime anyway.
Education is the key...understanding that we are all Earthlings and that everything beyond that is something that we have made up. Universal Healthcare should replace the Arms Race. Someday..
"people say that I'm a dreamer,
but I'm not the only one."
Independence is an illusion. We are never really independent, just the captors keep changing.
Keshi, you have raised a very interesting subject here.... humanity vs nationality.
I have always been proud to be a Canadian. But I am also as equally proud to be a woman, a nurse, a sister, an aunt, a friend, a lover... and yes, a human on this planet.
To treat all people with compassion and respect, as deserved and earned. To treat all fairly, to be open and honest in this life, both with myself and those I interact with.
To me... that is humanity... and with that humanity comes independence.
There are lots of aspects of Independence.
Man in born free!!!
Independence to the country means that even the most feeble voice should be heard and justice is dispensed fairly.An independent state is a just state.
Independence is the foundation of human development.
Hows u?
Me "really" enjoying the weekend. :D
I am proud of being a citizen no matter what country coz you carry those values and traditions with you.
independence is how v use our freedom...for d good n better of d society n for ourselves...
good explation of ur feeling and loved to read them aloud...and i to am proud to be an indian..i had these types of questions prepared but dint wanted to hurt the feeling of the bloggers so stoped posting them...but the questions asked wer good and ur answers wer typically super..:)..have some more to say will take some time to think and commment..
urs..hemu..
P.S.: u havent visited me theses days grrr i am angry now :)..lol..
Hmmm... that puts another question on my mind...
Should we really be proud to be humans in the first place?
I think we can be proud only about the destruction we cause to everything around us.
I'm not proud to call myself anything... My proud moments come when I do something good or put a smile on someone's face or save a life - ant to human. Thats when I feel proud to be alive in this world :)
Hope all is well with you mate. did you get my mail?
take care, Have a nice sunday... cheers..
hmm...you wrote what i wanted to write on I-day...i stopped because i knew when ppl are happy nothing else matters....whenever someone wishes me happy I-day i ask them,why should we be happy abt it?
It is not just for the I-day even for my birthday...everyone is like happy birthday...it is they who are supposed to be happy i was born,not me,they didn't give me a gr8 time or sumthin :)
anyway...true we all belong to humanity... i am proud to be an Indian ,but for me that doesn't mean India is superior or something,the thing is i live here ,so the changes i can cause are here(ironically the only place which has influence is the blogosphere :P ) ...i do believe i can change the world...but one step at a time :)
Indepence is when you are free to live life on your terms without really forcing your beliefs on one and all. A country being independent doesnt necessarily mean freedom cause society lays down rules and we find ourselves bounds by iron shackles of what a few people feel is a model way of life.
But being a part of a country for me means, thats the only place in the world where I will be accepted and not just "admitted" on my passport.
Nice post keshi :)
will comment on it later :)
I m proud of being an Indian. My motherland gave me the opportunity to do something for her,the administration spent the public hard earned money on me to train me and it was my moral responsibility to return that favour with my blood and sweat, Everytime i did my job successfully it was like returning an ounce of favour back to the country. Today i proudly represent the country infront of many other countries n now the onus has become even more heavier for me and i'll see that i dont let her pride down infront of others.
As far as independence and liberty is concerned, by literal ways we r independent and liberal, practically we are partially independent and liberal and philosophically we r still in bondage.
***But look at what they did...atleast they built great roads and infrastructure of the nations they were ruling. [Photo]Any gratitude for that?
Positive thinking!! But there is the other side to that also. Why they built it? Not to help us, but for their own use. India was the richest country long back and that's why everyone came here and they looted everything and came out as rich countries. After world war II Soviet Union and USA came out as the two super powers, why? War only brings losses, then why do the victorious nations emerge rich? 'coz they loot everything they can from the one which loses.
What is Independence or Liberty or Freedom to you?
For me, it's like no partiality. Everyone get's equal oppurtunity, No one rules another one, No one is superior and no one is inferior.
Freedom is free to speak, free to act, free to live.
Are we all really independent citizens?
It sounds like a personal question and so we cannot be really independent in that sense. 'coz we are human beings and we have to depend on one another. There is no complete independence!!
What are you proud of when you say you're proud to be Sri Lankan or Indian or Aussie etc etc?
It comes from within. 'N that's similar to when we say "I am proud of my mother and father". We haven't had given them anything yet, but what they gave us make us proud, right? So is the case with our country, if we are born and brought up in our country then we will be proud. it's a feeling! I am an indian, but when the indian cricket team wins a match, I too glows with pride. But what have I done for that victory, nothing!! But still, When we simply hear India, we are proud!!. But, if we are born in one country and brought up in another, then the case might be different :)
I totally agree,we can be proud of our country only when we really do something for it to make us feel so.The feeling of patriotism should be in the heart and urge us to work towards our nation 24*7 by working on a better self first and foremost(as I wrote in my post).It does not do to just sing praises of one's country only for a day and then totally forget about it the next morn.
Great post Babes!Hugssssssssss
Hi,Keshi-Independence Day-yes,a reason to celebrate for many,a reason to relax for many,a reason for some to remember what went into bringing Independence to their country.Beyond that,I doubt anyone really introspects to judge what they have done for their country,which would make them proud.
As for politicians and their silly speeches at such times, I feel even these have become election-oriented.A topic best left alone,perhaps.
And,what do I feel about Independence?
Well,for the country-it's like 'from the frying pan into the fire'- just freedom from foreign rule,but,right into the hands of greedy politicians.
For me,Independence is the freedom to express myself.And,my willingness to listen to others,too.:)(If I didn't listen,I'd be trapped in the contours of my own mindframe,na?)
Hey Girl! I read this and the other posts you wrote since I am behind on blogging... I am going to answer them here when I get back from work!
I am covering for people the whole weekend and next week so i am limited to the internet! :( hope you don't mind that my comment will be long!!!!
Luv ya!
Ne
So tell me, What is Independence or Liberty or Freedom to you?
to me independence means living life the way i want to but in doing so not forgetting the responsibilities that come along with it...every bit of freedom that we have carries with it a small bit of responsibility..and being independent makes u aware of that responsibility :)
Are we all really independent citizens?
well all life forms on earth are dependent on each other...so how can one be really independent??
What are you proud of when you say you're proud to be Sri Lankan or Indian or Aussie etc etc?
well im proud of being an indian...what makes me feel proud..one of the greatest civilisations...rich culture and heritage..the fact that we exist as one country with so much cultural diversity...the fact that the entire nation stands up cheers when sreesanth/harbhajan is bowling or when kaif/yuvraj/tendulkar is batting...i mean there are lots of things...
and we dont have to make a huge gesture to say that by doing this it feels proud to be indian/aussie/sri lankan...we all do our bits n pieces of gestures in daily life...so theres ntn wrong in saying it also tht i m proud to be indian(in my case)...
and just as a guess..i dont think this post wud ve come up had u grown up in sri lanka/india..
newaz nice post :)
A very thought provoking post gurl! And i agree with wht u hav said. Being patriotic is fine...but drawing boundaries based on tht and discriminating on tht basis is so not done! But unfortunately this is wht happens in life. Now coming to the answers to ur questions:
What is Independence or Liberty or Freedom to you?
# Freedom for me is freedom in true terms. Freedom from discrimination, freedom from prejudices, freedom from exploitation, Freedom to be wht i want to be without any pressure of adhering to so called norms and regulations. Lemme enumerate an example here, some days back there was a news on a woman who went to the court to allow her to abort a 27 week feotus as she had come to knw tht the child had a defective heart, and tht he wudnt live for long after birth. The court rejected the plea coz as per Indian law a woman cannot abort a child after 20 weeks. And guess wht i read two days back.....the same woman had a miscarriage! Why cudnt she abort the child?? Isnt it her decision? After all it was she who wud hav suffered by seeing her child die gradually.
Are we all really independent citizens?
# No not at all! We are not independent...earning some money doesnt make us independent. The fact tht i m a woman makes me dependent. I hav money, i hav confidence, but still if u ask me to travel after 10 p.m i'll hav second thoughts in my mind! Does tht make me independent....certainly not!
What are you proud of when you say you're proud to be Sri Lankan or Indian or Aussie etc etc?
# Do not want to hurt anybody's sentiments here.....but i dont believe in being proud to b an Indian or anything for tht matter. How i b proud when there is so much of poverty, anarchy, hatred, jealousy around me. I think the day these things disappear, i'd b a proud citizen, in this free world! But till then i can't b independent even if i want to! Something stops me from becoming truly independent.
Hello Keshi,:)
***So tell me, What is Independence or Liberty or Freedom to you?
Independence to me is the strength to stand on my two feet, To live my being and not expect others to fill in the blanks of my own personality.
Liberty to me is the joy of doing things without any fear, worry and insecurity.
Freedom to me is the joy to be me without trying to be somebody else or feeling the pressure to meet another's expectation of me.
***Are we all really independent citizens?
I wouldn't think so. Cause honestly, it seems impossible to be totally independent. There will always come a time when we need another person/connection to take us to a place we can call home. Sometimes, I think the fact that we can't totally be independent do humble our human souls to know we need another to help us along after all. I guess it comes with the countries our origins comes forth from as well. We will always need the support of another nation to help us along..:)
What are you proud of when you say you're proud to be Sri Lankan or Indian or Aussie etc etc?
As for me, i am proud of being a Singaporean cause it has been a safe country to live in and also a pretty secured country to have grown up in. We may not have all the resources that other countries have and may need to depend on their connections for our well being. But all in all, i am proud at the way our government is going about things and creating opportunities.:)
Lovely post Keshi. *HUGGIZ*
u r blogrolled!!!
Gosh with globalisation the world is the limit and just look at Singapore now, I'm confused and true many people somehow just loose that identity so there.....nice to be human being that's all :D
u know wot keshi..i had said somthng similar to my frnds yrs bak when i ws n skool..i asked dem wot de big deal is of bein an indian . srsly i wldnt care wot my motherland is. does it really make any difference. i wld lik 2 b of help n any place , weter its where i hv been born or not. & nationality is definitely nt sumthn 2 b proud of , de only thng m proud of is all my mistakes.
& independce for me is to be able to live your life on ur own terms to juggle our way out of the do's & dont's dat has been imposed upon our minds , so much dat v kinda gets inured to it . to become independent is to break free of all these shackles dat has been put upon you by others & also by urself. let us all be free!
hope u r doin gud!
luv
u know wot keshi..i had said somthng similar to my frnds yrs bak when i ws n skool..i asked dem wot de big deal is of bein an indian . srsly i wldnt care wot my motherland is. does it really make any difference. i wld lik 2 b of help n any place , weter its where i hv been born or not. & nationality is definitely nt sumthn 2 b proud of , de only thng m proud of is all my mistakes.
& independce for me is to be able to live your life on ur own terms to juggle our way out of the do's & dont's dat has been imposed upon our minds , so much dat v kinda gets inured to it . to become independent is to break free of all these shackles dat has been put upon you by others & also by urself. let us all be free!
hope u r doin gud!
luv
agree to ur pt of ppl just remembering nation on i-day .... thats what i had written in my post too ...
now for your q's - hmmm ....
Independence to me is what i have right now ... i mean i hvnt really experienced bounds of any sorts ... so the current state of mine is independent ...
when i say i m proud of india ... it means i love my origins ... it means i love the family i am born in ... it means i love my parents .... it means i love the neighbourhood i have grown up in ... the school, the college, the friends that this place has given me, the culture, the manners and loads and loads of other things ... that doesnt necessarily mean that i wouldnt have got all these if i were to born as a Swedish or German ... the pride comes from not what I have done for my motherland but what my motherland has given me ...
and abt your pt of wars, violence etc etc in an independent nation ... again thats the point i have tried to put across in my post ... that its the youth of the nation who need to stand up and make the difference ...
hope u had a nice vknd !!!
tc
~ hiren
Wow.. good post..
I agree that every country is bound by shackles of poverty, intolerance and hatred. And people sing the national anthem or watcha parade only on independance day
But to me as an Indian, I was brought up on stories of the freedom struggle in India,.My grandfather was a freedom activist, and Im proud of my independance and being an Indian, because millions of countless faces like him, helped India to establish her name in world. If they hadnt we would still be like tibetans, trying so hard to move away from an extremist regime.
On the other hand i am saddened ,that some ignorant politicians are diminishing so easily what took blood and hard work to acheive.
Humanity comes first, but it has to be followed by a feeling of pride for whom you are, because thats the only way you can protect your country and your world
Wow.. good post..
I agree that every country is bound by shackles of poverty, intolerance and hatred. And people sing the national anthem or watcha parade only on independance day
But to me as an Indian, I was brought up on stories of the freedom struggle in India,.My grandfather was a freedom activist, and Im proud of my independance and being an Indian, because millions of countless faces like him, helped India to establish her name in world. If they hadnt we would still be like tibetans, trying so hard to move away from an extremist regime.
On the other hand i am saddened ,that some ignorant politicians are diminishing so easily what took blood and hard work to acheive.
Humanity comes first, but it has to be followed by a feeling of pride for whom you are, because thats the only way you can protect your country and your world
hey nice topic keshi
I completely agree with you on the point that even if the Britishers etc. built roads, infrastructure etc. for their own good yet they give us our first lessons in health,education etc.Today's politicians are way worse than them ..they loot and plunder under the garb of democracy!!!
keshi is human and her attitude is humanity!!
Nice thinkin girl...especially the thing bout being proud of humanity over nethn else...
As far as I am concerned...wud like to give it a bit of a diff direction here...i know its nt bout humnity ot nationality ...but its bout personal independence
I think i will be free and independent and proud of myself the day i can stop being afraid of difficulties, impossiblilities and losses...the day i will stop limiting myself and stop depending on others so much that thr movin on, thr thinkin bout me and thr opinions wont bother me anymore...it will be the day when i am not my limit
Congrats!
He have you seen the movie Water? Just saw it and it was good.
Also we have only 8 entries for the Super Hero Cape... : )
Hi
I am one of those people. I am proud to be Sri lankan. What I mean by that is I am not ashamed by my country.
TC
Akash
Wonderful post..
I am proud to be called an Indian..!
But few of your questions made me sit thinking..I never thought in those angles..
You were right, when asked for what reason I am proud of my country...just born in this nation doesn't entitle any right to take pride in..
To me independence is something with which i can think and do as per my will, without even intruding others territories..!!
Naah, we are not independent completely and i dont think thats going to happen any time..!!
Its very subjective, hence its very difficult to achieve..!
I like the name Ceylon better anyway. Freedom is best described as the right to be who you are and do what you want as long as the actions you take don't harm or impinge on another. The borders are established by the greedy political class to try to keep any wealth to themselves. The sooner we go global the better.
I LOVE MY COUNTRY :)
freedom:
http://es.youtube.com/watch?v=foXy8gVKgog
HEY MY HOT SIS!!!
I am so sorry I have been MIA for awhile.Work is killing me! lol
soooooooooo here we go!
So tell me, What is Independence or Liberty or Freedom to you? Freedom to me is being able to be yourself and also Express yourself! I think I do a great job of doing it.
Are we all really independent citizens? IN a way! I think I am independent yet dependent at the same time! There are so many thinks that I lack that I fall dependent on someone or something!
What are you proud of when you say you're proud to be Sri Lankan or Indian or Aussie etc etc? I am proud to be American despite the here and now of what is going on! I am free to speak and act out! dress the way I like.. Those answers may seem soooo silly, but some people are told what to wear, where to go and so on!.lol I can do anything I have to just sum it up that I LOVE AMERICA!!!!
Sis! I have missed coming here also!!
:)!
Perhaps, instead of "proud", we should say "grateful".
I'm grateful to be Australian.
I'm grateful that I've never experienced war, poverty, censorship or the need to fight for my freedom.
I'm just very, very grateful!
Nora
Hi Keshi
I think one should be proud of who they are. However, there are times when I hate to admit I’m Canadian. In fact, there are times when I wish I was not even from the planet.
Let’s get serious, heritage is very important, and being proud of it is very important. If one disowns their heritage, they’ve disowned themselves.
Talking about heritage, we took a short trip to the area where I grew up. Many memories came back as familiar places came into view. I’m writing 3 or 4 posts about it on my blog.
Bev
Good on ya Steve!
That means, u find pride in ur person more than u seek it in ur nationality.
Keshi.
ty Donn for being here amidst ur busy holiday schedule :) HUGS!
**I am more of a Humanist too. Events like the Olympics don't unite Earthlings it does more to exacerbate the disparities between the countries...
True! Tho I like the Olympics, I can see that some ppl r crazy abt winning Medals for their countries than really enjoying watching Sports. Princess Mary from Denmark (Aussie) was apparently questioned and disliked by the Danish ppl just cos she partied with Aussies at the Olympics. Now can u believe how much DIVISION this whole thing has created?
**and all of the Nationalism is just another way of separating us into different imaginary groups.
Spot on! It just brings our a false sense of pride that can lead to hatred for ppl from other countries.
**Nationalism fuels friction and a quick glance at the news will reveal more than 50 armed conflicts taking place right now.
there u go!
**What we need is a template along the lines of John Lennon's song Imagine...nothing to kill or die for.
OMG I was thinking of that same song for this post before I chose We r the world!
**I am grateful that I live in a secular society within a country that attempts to level the playing field but it is still riddled with political correctness and it, like every other country on Earth, was taken by force.
I agree.
**History is written by the victors and unfortunately I see no end in sight for most of the troubles that Nationalism causes..not in my lifetime anyway.
I agree...and I know even I wont see it in my lifetime cos ppl r so fucked up.
**Education is the key...understanding that we are all Earthlings and that everything beyond that is something that we have made up.
yes! But the sad reality is that there's only few ppl like and me who'd u'stand that and SEE beyond all of that.
**Universal Healthcare should replace the Arms Race. Someday..
"people say that I'm a dreamer,
but I'm not the only one."
WOW profound ending too! Love the lyrics of that GREAT song by Lennon!
*HUGZ*
Keshi.
ty Lover!
**Independence is an illusion.
I agree. Its just a day in the History that we got Independence from certain rulers...but r we really independent now? I think not!
Cos there's so many ppl killing each other, hungry, unfairly treated based on race, language, caste, creed, even within the same country! And we still call ourselves independent, just cos few of us r!
Keshi.
hey Ponygirl WC n ty!
**To treat all people with compassion and respect, as deserved and earned. To treat all fairly, to be open and honest in this life, both with myself and those I interact with.
Exactly wut I mean! And thats where true independence lives.
Even a prisoner can be independent if his soul learns to be FREE..
Keshi.
hey ty Tarun!
**Independence to the country means that even the most feeble voice should be heard and justice is dispensed fairly.An independent state is a just state.
Thats what I mean. If not, there's still no Independence and just cos we like to believe it is there, it doesnt give all ppl the Independence that they so deserve.
My wknd was good :) and ur's?
Keshi.
ty Priya!
**I am proud of being a citizen no matter what country coz you carry those values and traditions with you.
Good on ya! And thats so true. Irrespective of wut ur origins r, you'll be who you are no matter where u go! Well-said there.
Keshi.
ty Mayz!
**independence is how v use our freedom...for d good n better of d society n for ourselves
well-said! its not just abt US, its also abt OTHERS.
Keshi.
ty Hemanth!
** had these types of questions prepared but dint wanted to hurt the feeling of the bloggers so stoped posting them.
why wud anyone be 'hurting' cos of qns like this?
Keshi.
hey tnxx Arv!
**Should we really be proud to be humans in the first place? I think we can be proud only about the destruction we cause to everything around us.
but ur not destructive r ya Arv? I agree there r terrible humans out there that destroy this Earth and hurt others. Well they can be ashamed of themselves. But u dun hv to. Cos ur a great humanbeing!
**I'm not proud to call myself anything... My proud moments come when I do something good or put a smile on someone's face or save a life...
Thats what I meant. We cant just label ourselves as Great Indians/Sri Lankans/Aussies just cos we r born there. If we do a good deed to someone, well that wud be a GREAT thing.
*HUGS*
Keshi.
ty Vish!
I guess they r HAPPY abt being freed from White Rule. Thats why they wish Happy Indep. Day and thats ok.
**... i am proud to be an Indian ,but for me that doesn't mean India is superior or something,the thing is i live here ,so the changes i can cause are here
Exactly wut I mean! When someone says Im PROUD to be Indian/Sri Lankan/American etc, it should not mean they r superior or they r special. Cos we r all HUMAN in the end!
Keshi.
ty Deepti!
**Indepence is when you are free to live life on your terms without really forcing your beliefs on one and all.
Good one! Thats what I believe too.
**A country being independent doesnt necessarily mean freedom cause society lays down rules and we find ourselves bounds by iron shackles of what a few people feel is a model way of life.
So true!
**But being a part of a country for me means, thats the only place in the world where I will be accepted and not just "admitted" on my passport.
I agree. But if I take Sri Lanka my motherland, I'd say Im living a much SAFER and HAPPIER life here in Aus, compared to 1000s of ppl dying daily in SL cos of INTOLERENCE. I may be here in Aus admitted under a Passport seal, but no one is trying to KILL me here cos of my race!
Keshi.
k Mav :)
Keshi.
Hi Keshi, dear
So nice to be here....I've been gone for a while.
Just did a quick read on your latest posts....was sad to know about the bad fall you took...it must have been so painful, hope you healed ok.
MWAH!!!!
Only have a minute right as I have to make a long distance call in a few mins to a friend.
This is such an excellent post!
I agree totally with your words....
Instead of my nationality, I'd rather be proud of my Humanity.
Cos that's what matters in the end anyways.....yes, yes, so very true!
That's just how I feel too.
I'm working on trying to get Obama elected as our next president....I make phone calls, and feel a little proud to be doing this and if he gets elected I will be quite proud to say I am an American!
The past 8 years we have had such a puke president!
And if McCain gets in I don't know what I'll do....probably cry a bucket of tears!
Thanks for ur email, hun!
Sorry I took a while to get back to you and I'm glad u liked the pics I sent u!
I hope to be back to blogging in about a month.
Miss you!
TC, Keshi.
HUGGGGGGGZ!
Margie.
ty Southy!
I know ur doing a fantastic service to ur motherland and thats great. U can truly say ur PROUD of being INDIAN, cos ur protecting ur country. Not everyone who says they r proud to be Indian has a reason to be proud. ppl like u, really do hv a reason.
**As far as independence and liberty is concerned, by literal ways we r independent and liberal, practically we are partially independent and liberal and philosophically we r still in bondage.
Good one!
Keshi.
ty Aneesh!
**India was the richest country long back and that's why everyone came here and they looted everything and came out as rich countries.
plz dun tell me that countries like US, Soviet got rich after stealing everything from India? Thats a far cry! It takes much more than just MATERIAL things to become a great country.
** Everyone get's equal oppurtunity,
I agree but d u think there's equal opp in countries like India and Sri Lanka? I dun think so! There's still major bias such as Caste, Creed, Status etc!
**There is no complete independence
nah I asked it at a 'country' level..thats why I used the term 'citizen'.
**But, if we are born in one country and brought up in another, then the case might be different
HOW? Are u saying that ppl like me mite not feel any PRIDE for their motherlands? Thats an insensitive thing to say Aneesh.
Just cos someone lives in a country that they were not born in, it doesnt mean those ppl r UNGRATEFUL. I still love Sri Lanka but NO IM NOT PROUD to be a Sri Lankan only cos that doesnt make sense!
Just cos ur born Indian Aneesh what is there to be so proud of? being proud is when u do something significant to ur motherland, and as far as I can see, u or I hvnt done such things to our motherlands!
But ofcourse ur entitled to keep feeling PROUD abt it...its not for me to decide :)
Keshi.
I don't think of Nationalities, Race, or Ethnicity...
OK- ethnicity, but only when it comes to FOOD!! MMmmmm!
What matters most-
is the inside of the person.
There are more important matters-
such as compassion, empathy, charity, and above all LOVE.
Stay well my dear Keshi : )
Hugs & Blessings
Think independently and be yourself.t hat is independence..have a great week ahead darl!
Wow...very nice post...as well as blog!
Patriotism is a must for running the society...coz safe that u rfeeling now...the transportation ..the subsidized petrol...every thing that u gettin is only because some people have sense of nationality and patriotism and they are laying their life to fulfill it for u...
though humanity is a needed the most...but humanity is a late term which only comes wen ur every need is fulfilled by the society...
if u r hungry and unsafe ..the sense of humanity and reaching out to thousand doesn't arise at all...
so for this fst u need to be safe...so even ur point is correct...I disagree with ur view that nationality comes next to humanity....
Freedom to me means living life as a way I want without interfering with others freedom...
Yeah we r independent citizen...those who say that we r not independent are just simply dumbest of souls...independence if is given according to them ..then we will have tobe in jugle..being wild is not being free... freedom comes with a responsibility and that is to protect urs and others rights..for which u need to sacrifice certain rites of urs...for prolonged life..wen we live in society we need to bind by rules..that bondage is not like wat foriegn rulers gave...this binding is for us..giving an example
if U give a carpenter a work and the next day u came and he says I m free and will do the work wenever I want..wat will u feel...so work binding commmitment is necessary...
people who say m not free havn't felt the time wen u can't sit on chair in front of the foreign rulers..they were thrashed black n blue ..paid a lil for exorbitant work they had to perform..aitting in a chair and working form a comp and blogging in free time..and then also people say that they are not free they need to check on a doctor...
and wen I say m proud of India..m proud of people and culture of India...and a sense of belonging to it :)
hope u got my point :)
I am proud to be an Indian. On days like Independence Day & republic Day, the patriotic feeling only gets more intense. I am proud of all those innumerable Indians who made it possible for me to be free and express my opinions whle walking on the roads - not to be treated like a dog in my own country. I am proud to be an Indian when Abhinav Bindra won his gold. I am proud when India wins medals and games. I am proud when I see the men in green, white & blue (Army, Navy & Air Force) bravely leave their families behind and protect their country. I am proud of my father who suffered grave injuries and is now wheel0chair bound while defending his country. I am proud of my grandfather when he went to England and trounced the Brits in their own land in a military course where he came out tops. I am proud when our Indian doctors treat a Pakistani patient for free. I am proud when our men lost their lives for their country on foreign shores. I may not have done anything personally to make my country proud of me...yet. But I shall.
Being a humanist is my nature but being an Indian is my birthright.
i wanna stand on top of high building....and pee onto the world...
but frankly otherwise for me independence is the right to a fulfilling life...and within these four words i guess i've covered a lot...
so lets try a less general ans...i guess indipendence is ppl doing watever they want to without stepping on others toes...like i don't come out stark naked when others are around...i like ppl to keep their car beams on low when there are other cars on the road...especially mine... :P
ty Sameers n HUGGGGGGGGGS!
**The feeling of patriotism should be in the heart and urge us to work towards our nation 24*7 by working on a better self first and foremost(as I wrote in my post).It does not do to just sing praises of one's country only for a day and then totally forget about it the next morn.
Exactly wut I mean!
Everyone keeps saying they r PROUD of being Sri Lankan/Indian etc but all in the name of wut their ancestors hv done. But at the moment there's no real Independence for their own fellowmen. Cos if there was, there wudnt be so much of racial/class/caste tension within the same country.
Wut one can be PROUD of is not just wearing the flag or sayin Im INDIAN. Do something that u can really be PROUD of.
Keshi.
ty Amit!
But if there is no reason to be PROUD of, then they shouldnt just wear that label.
**Well,for the country-it's like 'from the frying pan into the fire'- just freedom from foreign rule,but,right into the hands of greedy politicians.
I agree. And this is wut Im talking abt. Sri Lanka got it own freedom from Foreign rule but now it's own politicians r wrecking it! And we claim we hav INDEPENDENCE. haha its such a joke!
**For me,Independence is the freedom to express myself.And,my willingness to listen to other
Spot on! It's also abour OTHERS, yes.
tnxx Amit!
Keshi.
hey no wurries Ne MWAH! Now take it easy ok? :)
Keshi.
ty Mav!
**every bit of freedom that we have carries with it a small bit of responsibility..
I agree. It makes u realise that its not only YOUR freedom, but it can obstruct someone else's, so to be aware of that.
**well all life forms on earth are dependent on each other...so how can one be really independent??
that qn was based upon being a Citizen of a country..not on a personal level.
**we all do our bits n pieces of gestures in daily life...so theres ntn wrong in saying it also tht i m proud to be indian(in my case)...
but wuts there to be PROUD of? All ppl of all nationalities do that anyway!
**and just as a guess..i dont think this post wud ve come up had u grown up in sri lanka/india..
OMG I cant believe u said that Mav! So u mean just cos I live here in Aus that I dun u'stand wut it is to live in SL? FYI I lived most part of my life in SL and also in AUS. So I do hv a better ability to JUDGE than any of u who had just lived only in India/SL!
And plz dun think that living in Aus had made me forget my roots. Im still Sri Lankan I know that and Im grateful for that. But just cos u live in India and not overseas doesnt mean ur LOVE for ur country is MORE than my love for my country!
Its not WHERE u live..its in the DEEDs u do to be able to say ur PROUD of being Indian/Sri Lankan etc.
Im appalled that someone like u had to say that to me.
Keshi.
Independence to me is to be able to decide for myself without any external influences. It is the assurance that i won't be discriminated, my voice will be heard, i have access to justice and security. i am able to earn for myself without a fear, practice my religion and so on. Patriotism gives me a feeling that I support the lines that has been drawn upon the mother earth categorizing people in terms of topography but then its love for one's identity.
Patriotism is the urge which pushes man to voice for common cause, against racial, ethnic and cultural disparities. It is a wish to see one's land prosper.
ty Ria!
** Being patriotic is fine...but drawing boundaries based on tht and discriminating on tht basis is so not done
I agree.
And can u believe some ppl here think that this post came up cos I live outside my motherland!!!
**The court rejected the plea coz as per Indian law a woman cannot abort a child after 20 weeks
AMEN Ria! ty for bringing that example up. I read that story too. And its v sad!
All these Indian men here who claim their citizens r totally free, and that Im a traitor for living in Aus must read this. *rolling eyes*
**earning some money doesnt make us independent. The fact tht i m a woman makes me dependent
yet another great example of all the FAKE FREEDOM ppl r so proud of! Men, plz get out there and DO something abt Women's rights too, before u call ur PROUD to be this and that!
**.....but i dont believe in being proud to b an Indian or anything for tht matter. How i b proud when there is so much of poverty, anarchy, hatred, jealousy around me. I think the day these things disappear, i'd b a proud citizen, in this free world! But till then i can't b independent even if i want to! Something stops me from becoming truly independent.
AMEN Ria! Same goes to Sri Lanka!
I hope ppl read your comment. Its one of the BEST. And exactly wut I wanted to say to ppl here. And it seems u got my point very well. None of the ppl who claimed they were PROUD of their countries stated these very IMP facts. u were brave enough to do so.
ty n HUGS!
Keshi.
ty Amy MWAH!
**Independence to me is the strength to stand on my two feet, To live my being and not expect others to fill in the blanks of my own personality.
Well-said!
**Liberty to me is the joy of doing things without any fear, worry and insecurity.
yes!
**Freedom to me is the joy to be me without trying to be somebody else or feeling the pressure to meet another's expectation of me.
lovely!
**I think the fact that we can't totally be independent do humble our human souls to know we need another to help us along after all. I guess it comes with the countries our origins comes forth from as well. We will always need the support of another nation to help us along
definitely Amy! Alot of ppl forget that. They think being independent is being totally free of another nation's aid. But if they really CHOOSE to look, no one is independent of one another. U raised a great point there.
**As for me, i am proud of being a Singaporean cause it has been a safe country to live in and also a pretty secured country to have grown up in
good on ya! And u hv every reason to be proud of it cos look how WELL Singapore has done in all areas.
ty sweetz!
Keshi.
hehe ok Pooja :)
Keshi.
thats exactly wut I mean Shionge!
Keshi.
ty Enchanted!
** does it really make any difference. i wld lik 2 b of help n any place , weter its where i hv been born or not.
Spot on!
I mean does one's nationality stop them from being who they are if/when they r in another country? I hope not! :)
**...to become independent is to break free of all these shackles dat has been put upon you by others & also by urself. let us all be free!
well-said!
Keshi.
ty Hiren!
I know, its nice to celebrate Indep. Day but practising it in real life is MORE imp.
**Independence to me is what i have right now ... i mean i hvnt really experienced bounds of any sorts ... so the current state of mine is independent ...
good one :)
** the pride comes from not what I have done for my motherland but what my motherland has given me ...
yeah but its not something that only ur motherland wud give. I agree that u appreciate and love ur origins..me too..I love my origins. But I certainly hv nothing to be PROUD of. Cos every nationality is unique and none can be compared.
But anyways, I respect ur thoughts on that. Im just letting u know mine, thats all :)
**... that its the youth of the nation who need to stand up and make the difference ...
yes, its no point we just go parading on Indep. Day if our women, children and men r crying at the back.
ty Hiren!
Keshi.
ty Anu and Im sure u hv every reason to be proud of ur ancesotrs who built ur country. No doubt abt that.
It just irks me when ppl take that pride upon themselves and say Im proud to be this n that. Actually the work was done by someone else.
**On the other hand i am saddened ,that some ignorant politicians are diminishing so easily what took blood and hard work to acheive.
And thats wut I mean. Both India and Sri Lanka hv gotten their Indep. long time ago. But so many ppl r still suffering in the hands of greedy politicians, so there's no real Indep. from our own ppl!
**Humanity comes first, but it has to be followed by a feeling of pride for whom you are, because thats the only way you can protect your country and your world
I agree. One need to protect their nation and continue the heritage. But I guess Pride has nothing to do with it..its more like devotion and dedication to one's motherland. And if one really love their nation, they'd look into things that need to be looked at than carry banners only on Indep.Day!
This is just my opinion. And I respect ur's :)
Keshi.
ty Rahul!
**I completely agree with you on the point that even if the Britishers etc. built roads, infrastructure etc. for their own good yet they give us our first lessons in health,education etc.Today's politicians are way worse than them ..they loot and plunder under the garb of democracy
Amen! And thats exactly wut Im talking abt.
ppl need to stop being blinded by too much Patriotism and really get to those corrupt politicians!
Keshi.
hey Joi u too :) tnxx hun!
Keshi.
ty Div HUGS!
**I think i will be free and independent and proud of myself the day i can stop being afraid of difficulties, impossiblilities and losses...the day i will stop limiting myself and stop depending on others so much that thr movin on, thr thinkin bout me and thr opinions wont bother me anymore...it will be the day when i am not my limit
wow well-said! But sadly, I dun think any human can achieve that
:( maybe close to it n thats all.
*MWAH*
Keshi.
ty Pecos!
yes I hv seen WATER...nice movie :)
Keshi.
ty Akash!
**I am proud to be Sri lankan. What I mean by that is I am not ashamed by my country.
Good on ya!
But why wud anyone be ashamed of their country? The only ppl who wud be ashamed of their country r the ppl who dun wanna ADMIT that there r areas that need to be improved!
Keshi.
ty Vinu :)
**...just born in this nation doesn't entitle any right to take pride in..
Exactly my point!
**To me independence is something with which i can think and do as per my will, without even intruding others territories..
True. Its also abt OTHERS.
**Naah, we are not independent completely and i dont think thats going to happen any time..!!
hehe I agree...we can get close to it tho, if we try.
Keshi.
ty Phoso!
So u like Ceylon tea? :)
It also used to be called Serendib...named by the ancient Arab merchants.
**Freedom is best described as the right to be who you are and do what you want as long as the actions you take don't harm or impinge on another.
Agreed!
**The borders are established by the greedy political class to try to keep any wealth to themselves. The sooner we go global the better.
I agree. And the strange thing is even we citizens dun do anything abt such politicians!
Keshi.
yes Kaylz its imp to LOVE ur country!
Keshi.
ty for the Video Clover, will check it out soon!
Keshi.
ty Ne MWAH!
hey dun worry abt being later here..no probs at all! :)
**I am proud to be American despite the here and now of what is going on! I am free to speak and act out! dress the way I like.. Those answers may seem soooo silly, but some people are told what to wear, where to go and so on!.lol I can do anything I have to just sum it up that I LOVE AMERICA!!!!
I really luv wut u said there. Thats so true and NO its not silly. U raised a very IMP point. Both men and women, all races, castes and creeds HAVE the freedom to be themselves, wear wut they want, do wut they want in USA. Same here in AUS.
But in Sri Lanka and other SE Asians countries seriously lack the basic human rights and yet call themselves INDEPENDENT. To me thats really funny!
Keshi.
aww Ne I missed ya to MWAH! :)
Keshi.
ty Nora!
**I'm grateful to be Australian.
I'm grateful that I've never experienced war, poverty, censorship or the need to fight for my freedom.
I'm just very, very grateful!
Spot on! Thats exactly wut I mean. GRATEFULNESS. And u hv every reason to be grateful to Australia for those marvellous reasons!
*HUGS*
Keshi.
ty Bev!
**Let’s get serious, heritage is very important, and being proud of it is very important. If one disowns their heritage, they’ve disowned themselves.
I u'stand that but PRIDE? u didnt work towards it, u were born into it!
:)
Keshi.
Liberty for me is the ability to be just myself...unadulterated.
R v really independant???no,not yet...thr r still too many obstacles in tht path but the heartening thing is tht v havent stopped... v r treading albeit slowly.
Hey Margie sooooooo lovely to see ya here HUGGGGGGGGGZ n WB! :)
**I'm working on trying to get Obama elected as our next president....I make phone calls, and feel a little proud to be doing this and if he gets elected I will be quite proud to say I am an American!
Now thats a GREAT job cos ur working towards earning ur country some great DEMOCRACY! There's every reason to be proud of!
**And if McCain gets in I don't know what I'll do....probably cry a bucket of tears!
lol ah McCain, You've done it again!
btw thats an Ad in Aus :) for McCain instant meals lol!
*HUGZ* u hv a lovely day sweetz!
Keshi.
Keshi I love you!! May I send you an email in the next day or two? I am tooo much pain to dio it now :(
ty Coco HUGGGGGGGGZ!
**There are more important matters-
such as compassion, empathy, charity, and above all LOVE.
yes and I dunno how PRIDE comes into this!
Keshi.
well-said Anits n ty!
Keshi.
WC Sujata and tnxx! :)
Keshi.
ty Bro!
**though humanity is a needed the most...but humanity is a late term which only comes wen ur every need is fulfilled by the society...
if u r hungry and unsafe ..the sense of humanity and reaching out to thousand doesn't arise at all...
So if some Indians r still hungry and safe, do u still believe u hav Independence in ur country?
**so for this fst u need to be safe...so even ur point is correct...I disagree with ur view that nationality comes next to humanity....
So being Safe means ripping off someone else's Independence and thats ok?
Read Ria's comment bro.
And it's not History Im talking abt. Its reat that many Gandhis did ur country proud by getting Independence. But r all citizens (irrespective of gender, caste and creed) totally independent in countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India? I think not!
Keshi.
ty SMM!
**I am proud of all those innumerable Indians who made it possible for me to be free and express my opinions whle walking on the roads - not to be treated like a dog in my own country
Well then the credit goes to them SMM..not to us. U r proud of them.
But wut abt when that Indian woman had to go to Courts to get a decision to abort her child, yet be denied. R u proud then?
Keshi.
ty Mystique!
**...i like ppl to keep their car beams on low when there are other cars on the road...especially mine
lol I rem that post of ur's!
Keshi.
ty Thinker!
**It is the assurance that i won't be discriminated, my voice will be heard, i have access to justice and security.
Well-said! And if all those elements r not met, we cant really call ourselves Independent.
I like how u defined Patriotism. Its good to be patriotic but it shouldnt give u a false sense of PRIDE.
Keshi.
hey CN!
**R v really independant???no,not yet...thr r still too many obstacles in tht path but the heartening thing is tht v havent stopped... v r treading albeit slowly
ty for being able to admit it and say it in the open!
Keshi.
Kaylz send it :)
Keshi.
Guzzled beer, hung out with friends, did not go out much though coz of rains. :(
"Well then the credit goes to them SMM..not to us. U r proud of them."
That's exactly what I said Keshi. I am proud of them. My pride lies in the fact that I am an Indian.If I were an American or a Sri Lankan I wouldn;t have been proud of them...but then I would have other such heroes to be proud of. Like I said..."I may not have done anything personally to make my country proud of me...yet. But I shall"
"But wut abt when that Indian woman had to go to Courts to get a decision to abort her child, yet be denied. R u proud then?"
There are a number of times when I am not proud of India...when our politicians create a ruckus int he Parliament over signing of the Nuclear Deal or when I see children on the road in torn tattered clothes begging or when I see a Judge asking for a bribe. Unfortunately these things do happen. Unfortunately we do have a law which was made in 1971 as regards medical termination of pregnancy and becuae of which Niketa Mehta was not allowed to abort her child. But Keshi I also see how had the court allowed the abortion it would have set a precedent. Parents would turn up from all over asking for legal termination of their pregnancy citing various medical reasons, and it would be just a coincidence that the foetus would happen to be a female child. That is also a sad truth in my country - female infanticide. the Court cannot only keep Niketa Mehta in mind when it makes law. Sad but true. My heart ached for her when I saw that the abortion had not been allowed, but I also understand the why behind it. I see everyday how the law is misused and abused by people for their own means.
There is a good side and a bad side to all. I am sure even your closest friends would be having certain traits which your not too fond off. Does that mean you stop loving her?
hehe not bad at all @Tarun :)
Keshi.
just sent it :)
I agree SMM...u r entitled to be proud of ur ancestors.
but on behalf of my deeds, I hv done nothing to be proud of being Sri Lankan. I was born there, brought up there few years of my life, and now Im here. No one in Aus is telling me HOW to live cos of my caste, creed or gender...and to me, that is real FREEDOM. And BASIC Human Rights too!
**There is a good side and a bad side to all. I am sure even your closest friends would be having certain traits which your not too fond off. Does that mean you stop loving her?
I agree. But it isnt abt hating ur country. Did I say I hv stopped loving Sri Lanka? :) All I was talking abt is INDEPENDENCE. And I dun think both India and Sri Lanka has that kind of Indep. yet, especially to FEMALES and of ppl who r not high in Status/Caste and Creed.
It doesnt mean u stop loving ur country. And never did I say that :)
Keshi.
@ Aneesh,
You say that when one is born in one country, and raised in another, it is different. What is different in that case? What do you think such people feel proud of? What is their "motherland"? And lastly, how do YOU know?
Please clarify.
tnxx Sol!
Yes Aneesh plz clarify, I'd like to know too.
And Maverick, u too...for saying that this post wudnt hv come up if I lived in SL. I'd like to know wut u meant by that.
Keshi.
lol CG tnxx HUGS!
Keshi.
*Independence is an illusion. We are never really independent, just the captors keep changing.*
-the_lover
Keshi, somewhere this is true if we were to consider our life. Most of the time the captor are ourselves but every time we come up influenced with different attitude, thoughts and jurisdictions.
Sometime despite the fact that not all things are alright we should give ourselves reason to feel happy, to feel proud. If we were only to consider misgivings, poverty, illeteracy, crime and so on our life will be overwhelmed with griefs. So may be the independence day is to celebrate that spirit. It is meant to pay homage to those who lived and struggled for the upliftment of their whole country, saw what was right and had the guts to voice against tyranny. Its not only what we have achieved but to gather spirit for what we want to achieve. I however feel sorry that this emotion is celebrated once a year. Still if patriotism really means what i understand, it needs to be revised. it is separating us on the basis of where we are born. If i start to talk on humanity and say we should do this and that, i will be just another hypocrite as i haven't done anything yet to make my fellow human's life better. Just feeling for them will do no good unless we actually do something. When we start working for our fellow human who live around us, to make their life better and to ensure their children safe future we are being patriotic.
Keshi I havwen't done anythign to make country proud of me. I have not fought any war or won any gold medal for my country. But the very fact that I am me and I have the right to be me - to have not been aborted in the womn or killed as a child for being born a female, having studied till where I did, being a working woman contributing to the economy of my country in my own small way, having the right to wear jeans and shorts even before my in-laws, not being beaten up by my husband are all part giant steps that my country has taken toward modern progress. Today we have a woman President who is a lawyer and an Economist and respect Professor as my Prime Minister. that is progress. Today India is not under the rule of any other country but is a powerful entity of its own right. That for me is my country.
When we celebrate Independence Day, we are celebrating the fact that we fought for a whole century for the right to celebrate it. It is the day my country was born as India and arose from the shackles of colonialism. Yes I am proud of it and of all those people who fought for it.
I don't say that I am not a humanist. I am as much against apartheid & genocide as you are. It disgusts me that such crimes have been committed in the name of humanity and purification of races. But being a humanist does not mean I cannot be a nationalist. I am not blind to the faults of my country, but I also see the progress happening today. I see how once we bowed our heads before the Brits and today they bow down before us
Thinker tnxx!
**Just feeling for them will do no good unless we actually do something.
I agree. Same goes for being PROUD abt something!
Keshi.
ok SMM :)
Keshi.
I believe people always cherish things they earn but dont value things which they inherit.
why not Tarun..the love of heritage/origins is abt valueing wut they hv inherited, right?
Its good to love and appreciate heritage and culture etc. but to be proud of something is a different story.
Keshi.
* Are we really Independent?
No country can have absolute independece. Every country is economically dependent on other countries. This dependence increases or decreases with time depending on how a country is governed.
And if we choose to define a country's independence as freedom from the previous ruler/ a foreign ruler/ a tyrant ruler/ an inefficient ruler/ a ruler not liked by masses, then also countries are never free because every ruler has some element of foreign inclination, tyranny, inefficiency, unpopularity.
* What does Independence to a country mean for the people of that country?
Really nothing. People are affected by the governance and not the independence of a country.
* Where is that pride coming from?
This pride is being injected into our minds by our leaders, politicians, elders and teachers since we were born. Why? To keep us focussed on patriotism and not on how the country is being run.
* For if they are really independent and want every citizen to receive and enjoy that Freedom, there wont be such a terrible, pathetic, bloody war going for that long in the nation...
But then how will the warmongers retain their positions of power?
* But look at what they did...atleast they built great roads and infrastructure of the nations they were ruling. Any gratitude for that?
Shh... It is blasphemous to talk about what good they did unless you are sold out to them.
Fst of all I wud like to comment on wat Ria wrote...
fst the fact of aborting at 27th week is not because she doesn't have freedom to do so but because after 20 weeks it is not completely safe to abort a child... and if she is reportin that female shud be given rights to kill their infants..i disagree..
Abt her views on woman safety..I did raised a voice few days back abt this...but ask her wat she did against that...if u r sayin freedom shud be criminal free country... then I m sorry u r wrong :)...coz none of the govt in the world can provide security to 1 billion people..so be practical ..move in groups ..learn self defense than being dependent on other to safeguard ur independence ... :)and that's wat I wanted to say...don't play the blame game ..fite for it :)
and abt the country..it's the citizen who makes the country not the poverty..work for it rather than blaming govts..coz we choose the govt...help teaching people their rights and that's wat spreading literacy means ....
now the ques u asked...
So if some Indians r still hungry and safe, do u still believe u hav Independence in ur country?
yeah...coz seeing everyone crying for food as wat was case under british govt..i think now India is quite stable and feeding quite al large population..but people need to learn if u cant earn well..don't start a family and give birth to dozens...and that's wat poverty in india is due to ..and yeah I agree I need to work to eradicate povery but not by blaming govt but by creating more opportunities urself..
So being Safe means ripping off someone else's Independence and thats ok?
if u r unsafe urself whom u will provide safety love and compassion...tell me that fst..and abt ur ques..look that's wat i said...independence means freedom to u widout obstructing freedom of others... :)..u r nt reading it carefully...
and abt freedom to third world..I don't term that they are not free..rather I will term we are poor but they have enough rights only these countries are unable to reach to those because of the illiteracy and under performing govt..but I fink they are better to wat there wud had been in foriegn control..jus see IRAQ and afghanistan for urself...
***plz dun tell me that countries like US, Soviet got rich after stealing everything from India? Thats a far cry! It takes much more than just MATERIAL things to become a great country.
I never said US & Soviet stole from India, what I meant is, there was only one super power before world war II and after world war II, two different super powers emerged. I didn't meant about the GREATNESS of a country, but the richness of it, how they became so rich just after the war. Its a fact!! And greatness is different, I agree. But, don't forget about the military power which decides everything now a days.
***I agree but d u think there's equal opp in countries like India and Sri Lanka? I dun think so! There's still major bias such as Caste, Creed, Status etc!
There is no bias in Indian Constitution, It gives equality to all and this is at the country level, but when it comes to the people level, caste/Creed exists I agree, but that even exists in developed countries in the form of racism :)
***nah I asked it at a 'country' level..thats why I used the term 'citizen'.
If it's a country level qn, then the answer is yes [as far as India is concerned]
***Just cos someone lives in a country that they were not born in, it doesnt mean those ppl r UNGRATEFUL
First of all, my answer was NEVER a personal answer, please don't take it like that. I never used UNGRATEFUL. I said the case MIGHT be different. Why I said is I know people who lived in India for half of their life and then moved in to US and then once in a while comes back just to blame India, they say Indian people are this, Indian people are that, Indian people do this, do that. WTF? They forget, they were Indian at least once. Just 'coz indian infrastructure is not as good as there doesn't mean India is bad. 'N other reason is I've read about people who play for the country in which they were brought up and when they play against the country in which they were born, they have mixed feelings. For them, both countries are equal, One is like the mother who gave birth and other is like the step-mother who looked after. So, it's difficult to chose one side.
Solitaire,
***What is different in that case? What do you think such people feel proud of? What is their "motherland"? And lastly, how do YOU know?
Miss Dr, I think I explain these above!!
'N Chill Out!!!
:)
Im proud to be a good human being...and indeed have a certain soft feeling about my roots...but i do believe humanity comes before belonging to a nation...:)
All bloods are red, united, but why not we?
Yes, very true. We get freedom from color comparison, ill treatment of British, but we are still bounded with security rules, passion on separate religious practice and fearing of anti-social. We are boundless within person to decide our life, when that was forced by some it’s not independence.
I am very proud and loved to be an Indian, that doest meant anything before as a human we all are.
U r welcome Hun! I read ur comment on my blog.....and read those comments as well! First of all i found it appalling.....but it also made me think how shallow can some ppl b. This is a classic example of perception. U wrote something which had a much deeper thought to it...but some ppl here chose to take it personally and commented on u!! tht was so strange....anyways but i m sure one thing tht u mus hav realised now for sure and i.e. its bcoz of such ppl tht v can never b free and independent!! These r the crutches which prevent us from running. Sad but true.
@keshi...let me clarify...
OMG I cant believe u said that Mav! So u mean just cos I live here in Aus that I dun u'stand wut it is to live in SL? FYI I lived most part of my life in SL and also in AUS. So I do hv a better ability to JUDGE than any of u who had just lived only in India/SL!
the point i was trying to make is that..the environment variables...such as social+cultural+political do impact the way one interprets the situation..i never judged ur ability..i just made a point that the post may not have come up if the environment was different..n plus i ve written "just as a guess"..a guess does have the right to go wrong :)
And plz dun think that living in Aus had made me forget my roots. Im still Sri Lankan I know that and Im grateful for that. But just cos u live in India and not overseas doesnt mean ur LOVE for ur country is MORE than my love for my country!
where ever did i mention anything like that?? i never compared the two...
Its not WHERE u live..its in the DEEDs u do to be able to say ur PROUD of being Indian/Sri Lankan etc.
true..but then as i said..the environmental variables do affect ur deeds...
Im appalled that someone like u had to say that to me.
i am sorry if the language used in my comment was interpreted wrongly...
heyy keshi. thats a beautiful thing u sed with ur proud of ur humanity.
independency is such a far fetched thing and so i dnt thing we really r. but in many ways (like everything) wen i compare the indepence i have compared to other asian girls i know, or even the bf, or in a more important way compared to people in countries of struggle and war, we really cnt complain.
i always feel hesitant to say "im proud to be pakistani" cuz i know nothing about the country, or even much about my realtives who r still there. so if i were to say it, id be proud of my parents, grandparents and family who have bought me up in this culture to be the person i am today. apart from that.. regarding nationality..u got me?
:)
We are interdependent rather than independent.
I am getting better. Thanks Hunn
there nothing like India is great or US is great or Sri lanka is great..
all these nations are great... i hear my friends saying everything in US is organised..which is not in India..does only things like good roads make a nation great...its people living in it...
i spend my teens in India and it has taught me a lot of things...and i am proud of it...now i am in US and i guess it will teach me a lot again so i m proud of US too..and in future i will be at anyother place..and it goes on....
I am proud of every nation which makes good people..or which has good people in it....
thought provoking post.
independence to me, is living and letting live.
honestly, i don't care much for nationality. unless the person's a hardcore nationalist. they're like fanatics. and i can't understand them. so i stay away.
Very interesting topic Keshi!
I'm proud to be a Swiss and proud of many things that my ancestors fought for.
But all in all I don't think we are better then others. It's just so important that we learn from each other. Talk and explain why we think like this and that. And accept that someone else is different.
If people try to be good and fair... then we are not so different like politicans want to make us believe!
I agree. Primarily, I'm a human. I feel primarily concerned with the state of the earth, not America in particular.
I do have a particular love for America just because I'm so much more familiar with it than anywhere else; it has all the associations of home. But I'm as aware of its flaws, which I feel have greatly deepened during my lifetime, as those aspects of this place that are wonderful.
If it were up to me, that's how I'd redefine love of country: a particular love of the land and culture because of deep familiarity with them - and not some jingoistic attitude that sees one's country as superior to others.
God made men,
men made boundaries...
freedom is when there is no boundaries.
freedom is when we listen to our inner-voice.
freedom is when we implement our inner-voice.
freedom is when we do not create boundaries for others.
freedom is when everyone is smiling and there is no boundaries.
Amen !
hey keshi...got back today..!! from my first tour...anywa...see..
proud about what..??? proud of the nationas achievements!! or by the poeple of that nation... with their every victory is my victory..and with their every fall is my fall... that is what patriotism is about...
patriotism is bing proud of every citizens achievements....and taking theoir badness too...not only basking in the glory when a indian wins a gold medal..but also when indian people commit ccrimes against the society..holding ur head down in shame.....
this is not matinalism...natinalism is beleiveing in superiory....patriotism is not about superiority....at all... is about equality about all the citizens... to unite then under one banner and then achieve what you set out to achieve...
not ur own policies but the policies that are for the whole nations good... every one sacrifices a bit of themselves so that greater good comes to a nation... that is the essence...
total independence always leads to anarchy... we would not wnt that would we?? only those who can be shameful and owe up their own nations shortcomings can be really pround of the country.....
not those hwo just have a booze party when india wins and when it loses blame it on the other people....
feel great and proud only if you do sumthing for the nation?? nopes thats destrying the very fabric of patriotism....
no real patrioit does sumthing for the country alsone... it is not a individual achievement...even if he does it alone... he contributes to what is common between alll the citizens...the nation.... it is dor all to be proud of....
if a scientist does make sumthing wonderful....it is not only him to be proud about... it is for all the citizens to be....
similarly the poeint which most peope forget is that instead of blaming that same scientist when he fails is not correct..its the falliure of the nation as a whole...
its funny how pwople associate themselves with any good thing and scoot off when there is a faliure....pathetic...
just like fake friends who share ur happness and sterr clear of u when u need a shoulder...
anywayz...leave all that..how are u maa'm..have u been dping good? last post i read whas ur kness hurting and the one after that that almost labelled me gay at my academy..?? so well.... hows it going on?
spot on babez..
i was just trying to write a post on freedom and independence.. and i come here.. and guess what i see..
well its still in drafts but anyways.. will try to finish it some time soon.. hehe whats happening with us man..
anyways..
Independence to me is being able to be myself, without treading on another's freedom to be themselves. Independence to me is to see beyond my nationality...to see the humanity in me...to reach out to all, equally.
thats soo true..
thats what i was telling my friends when we went to the community centre to celebrate the independence day.. n i was like.. u sure we are truly independent. n they were like oh common ppl have died for this.. i was like yes.. thats true.. but thts different.. what is independence to you.. and that is what one needs to celebrate..
i am proud about my heritage.. but then are we really proud about all the struggles.. when we end up taking things for granted???
tnxx Stony!
I u'stand that no country/citizen is 100% independent. But having lived both in Sri Lanka and Australia long enough to make a unbiased judgement, I say AUSTRALIA has what u can truly call INDEPENDENCE. In Aus we dun hv
**gender bias
**human inequality
**caste/race/creed bias
**hunger/poverty
etc etc
Basically Im enjoying every HUMAN RIGHT I hv here in Aus w.o. having to think twice or ask someone for permission.
Sri Lanka/India/Pakistan etc etc countries that claim they hv this so-called Independence are still very behind in those areas. And the fact they the modern youth in those countries dun wanna ADMIT it, is thge very reason that will keep their hands tied forever.
Keshi.
ty Bro!
u said:
**only these countries are unable to reach to those because of the illiteracy and under performing govt
And u also said u dun wanna BLAME the govt.
So which one is it?
btw u chose to ridicule white ppl's culture by puttin up a night-club pic in ur latest post. Is that how u wanna say what FREEDOM is to u? By ridiculing someone else's culture? And gruesome pics of what happened 100s of years ago between blacks and whites aint gonna paint a good picture abt wut Indians and Sri Lankans r doing today to their own kind. Leave wut happened in the past...do something TODAY.
Bro, the fact that u and few others here, who seemed to hv got this post so personally shows that ur blinded to the very areas in ur own country that need attention. Thats wuts preventing u from changing things that need change. For wuts the point if it takes 100s of years go bring abt basic HUMAN RIGHTS to the citizens of India/Sri Lanka etc etc.
HUMAN RIGHTS is not something that should have to WAIT.
Keshi.
ty Aneesh!
**but the richness of it, how they became so rich just after the war
If thats the case, then in this 61yrs mebbe India should hv TOPPED the world in abolishing poverty. So why hasnt it done that yet with all those riches? Mebbe the riches and the opportunities r not DISTRIBUTED equally? Did u ever think abt that Aneesh?
I read this somewhere abt India...
**Caste is the predominant factor used for reservation in India,
And u tell me this:
**There is no bias in Indian Constitution, It gives equality to all and this is at the country level, but when it comes to the people level,
??
**but that even exists in developed countries in the form of racism
why does most Indians/Sri Lankans who hv NEVER lived overseas label whites as RACIST, just like that? Just cos there skin color is white? Hv u ever been here Aneesh? hv u gone to Uni/Work in a White country? Hv u moved with White ppl? NO. So dont judge a whole nation based on wut u heard from 1 or 2 racists themselves!
Its Individuals who r racist, not communities.
And dun be blind to our own desis who r super racist sometimes. So yeah, RACISM isnt genetic. It comes from the INDIVIDUAL. If ur racist, then u'll be treated that way. Wut u give out is wut u will get.
Im speaking from experience cos I hv lived both in SL and AUS! So I'd say Im in a better place to comment on it than ppl who hv never left their motehrlands.
**they say Indian people are this, Indian people are that, Indian people do this, do that. WTF?
so why d u take it so personally? mebbe these ppl really see some things that need to be FIXED in ur country, for ur OWN good. Dun u ppl say nasty things abt Whites? Its like that. ppl hv mouths, and they will always JUDGE.
** For them, both countries are equal, One is like the mother who gave birth and other is like the step-mother who looked after
Its not abt CHOOSING any side just cos ur there. Its abt whether we get our basic human rights or not. If we do, then that country, it's citizens and the govt. is doing a great job!
Thats all there is to it. Living in denial wont help.
Keshi.
ty Aphrodite!
**Im proud to be a good human being...and indeed have a certain soft feeling about my roots
definitely! I do too. I love my country and roots. I still hv great many relations with it. I give out alot of charity for Tsunami and war victims. Im always connected to my motherland no matter what. some ppl here dunno that and they keep labelling me as TRAITOR. I feel sorry for them.
But just cos I love my country, that doesnt mean Im gonna be blind to all the unfair, gruesome, ugly things thats happening there right now. Im not gonna shut my mouth just cos I feel I'd be ridiculing my motherland if I say it needs CORRECTION. i still say SRI LANKA dun have INDEPENDENCE yet, tho they claim they do!
This time, Sri Lanka needs INDEPENDENCE from it's own people.
Keshi.
Keshi.
ty Jeevan!
** but we are still bounded with security rules, passion on separate religious practice and fearing of anti-social.
Spot on! Add gender bias to this.
Keshi.
ty Ria!
**but it also made me think how shallow can some ppl b. This is a classic example of perception. U wrote something which had a much deeper thought to it...but some ppl here chose to take it personally and commented on u!!
Exactly! The fact that some ppl here cudnt see the very valid underlying point of this post is a real shame. Instead they took it all personally and thought that KESHI WROTE A POST TO LAUGH AT INDIA/SRI LANKA. *not surprised*
Im only trying to make them open their eyes and see that citizens of their countries r suffering at the hands of gender bias, caste system, poverty etc etc only cos of few greedy politicians. Yet, it seems their ego dun allow em to see it!
If the ATTITUDE is far behind, a country can never get ahead.
**its bcoz of such ppl tht v can never b free and independent!! These r the crutches which prevent us from running. Sad but true.
Exactly wut I said to Stony as a reply. The fact that educated, modern youth of India and Sri Lanka etc just go abt as if nothing is wrong, is the very reason that stops such countries from obtaining it's citizens real freedom.
Ria, u being Indian, Im glad that cud really SEE this post w.o. taking it personally and getting all irritated abt it. I hv great respect for u for that.
TY!
Keshi.
ty Mav!
**...such as social+cultural+political do impact the way one interprets the situation..i never judged ur ability..i just made a point that the post may not have come up if the environment was different
so wut exactly r u saying by this post may not have come up? shouldnt it hv come up? or r u saying that Im hugely ill-informed cos of where I live now? what is it mav?
Same goes to u. If u had been both overseas and in ur country, u wud hv been in a BETTER and UNBIASED position to JUDGE this post.
Keshi.
Niyara hey I missed ya. WB n HUGS! :)
**if i were to say it, id be proud of my parents, grandparents and family who have bought me up in this culture to be the person i am today.
Thats right! Ur proud of wut u hv turned out to be cos of ur family. And thats great!
**Pakistan
Is another country like SL that claims they hv Independence, but really dont. In a place where a woman is seen as a 2nd class citizen, in a place where politicians r killed for campaigning in elections, in a place where foreigners r in fear, in a place where other religions r not respected, do we think we hv independence? I THINK NOT.
tnxx Niyara n HUGS!
Keshi.
ty LaVida HUGS!
**We are interdependent rather than independent.
Well-said!
Keshi.
ty Nirmal!
**I am proud of every nation which makes good people
Spot on! u've got to choose the GOOD things in life.
Keshi.
ty Raysh!
**independence to me, is living and letting live.
exactly!
**honestly, i don't care much for nationality. unless the person's a hardcore nationalist. they're like fanatics. and i can't understand them. so i stay away.
Yes...and thats what I did by coming to Aus. Cos Sri Lanka wud not CHANGE. They r mangled in an ugly racial war that doesnt seem to end. And the politicians dun seem to hear people's voices. So instead of getting killed in a bomb explosion, I came to Aus to do my studies in Aus and I liked it here and I ended up living here. And for that some ppl call me TRAITOR. Had I lived in SL, maybe I wudnt be alive today to even hear it? :)
*HUGZ*
Keshi.
ty Murane!
Amen to ur comment! Very well-said.
**But all in all I don't think we are better then others. It's just so important that we learn from each other. Talk and explain why we think like this and that. And accept that someone else is different.
Thats what Im trying to say too. And some ppl took it all personally. *rolling eyes* Well as long as they continue to be blinded by their own men, they will never prosper.
And I cant help that can I? :)
Keshi.
tnxx Paul!
**I do have a particular love for America just because I'm so much more familiar with it than anywhere else; it has all the associations of home.
thats exactly wut I meant!
**But I'm as aware of its flaws, which I feel have greatly deepened during my lifetime, as those aspects of this place that are wonderful.
I agree. And KNOWING the flaws and admitting we do hv flaws is a MUST to make progress.
**a particular love of the land and culture because of deep familiarity with them - and not some jingoistic attitude that sees one's country as superior to others.
Spot on!
Keshi.
ty Hobo that was lovely!
**God made men,
men made boundaries...
yes and we r bound by our own kind..and thats even worse.
**freedom is when everyone is smiling and there is no boundaries.
I know that no country wud hv ALL it's citizens 100% free, but there r countries that very CLOSE to that. Where there is equal rights irrespective of gender, caste, race etc etc, where there is freedom of speech, where there is no poverty, where there is genuine mateship, THERE WE HAVE FREEDOM.
Keshi.
Very good comment Paratrooper! TY I loved it!
** only those who can be shameful and owe up their own nations shortcomings can be really pround of the country.....
Thats exactly wut I was saying! Instead some ppl took this post all too personally. And some seem to be living in denial. And thats really not doing their country any good.
**not those hwo just have a booze party when india wins and when it loses blame it on the other people....
I agree.
And ur a real hero and u do hv something to be very PROUD of..cos ur in the Indian Army! To serve ur motherland at the great risk of losing ur own life is a NOBLE deed.
*HUGZ*
Keshi.
Paratrooper lol!
**last post i read whas ur kness hurting and the one after that that almost labelled me gay at my academy
wut? hahahaha! why?
Keshi.
ty Ani for being so REAL n HONEST!
**u sure we are truly independent. n they were like oh common ppl have died for this.. i was like yes.. thats true.. but thts different.. what is independence to you.. and that is what one needs to celebrate..
I agree...I mean if females hv less rights just cos they're female, if some humans hv less rights just cos of their caste/creed etc, if some others r dying in poverty, if some others cant get a job cos they dun know someone in the firm, if it takes yonks to get something done from a govt dept, if ppl r STRUGGLING to get their daily bread, do we hv FREEDOM? I say no.
Just cos few ppl r rich and doing well, that doesnt mean the whole country has Independence.
And the fact that some modern educated sensible ppl FAIL to see that, makes me wonder!
**i am proud about my heritage.. but then are we really proud about all the struggles.. when we end up taking things for granted???
I agree. And thats what I meant by wut I said before. Living in denial just cos ur plate is full isnt what Independence is!
Im glad u cud see that Ani. I'd love to read ur post. Let me know when u post it.
*HUGZ* n tnxx!
Keshi.
keshi give me your email add plz..
As a citizen of the entire world, your team would be doing well in the Olympic medal tally too...
@ Aneesh,
Chill out? When was I NOT chilled out?
Anyway, I would like to know how YOU know what people born in one country feel like when they are raised in one country when that has not been your experience. You have NOT answered that part in your response to Keshi.
Also, you say..
***There is no bias in Indian Constitution, It gives equality to all and this is at the country level, but when it comes to the people level, caste/Creed exists I agree, but that even exists in developed countries in the form of racism :)***
I have lived in both countries now. The country where discrimination is in the form of sexism (and only an Indian woman can understand how it is to be a woman in India), as well as caste and creed discrimination. And I have lived in a country where I am a MINORITY RACE. I can proudly say not once have I faced racism in the United States. Sorry, it may be hard for you to digest and you may say WTF but we cannot really bend the truth. It is a fact.
@ Nirmal,
WOW! That's such a nice thing to hear from a person who just arrived in the US. Usually newcomers like to diss USA off and praise India to glory owing to their homesickness and lack of acculturation. Its such a wonderful thing that you are able to appreciate each country for its positive aspects.
k Anits I'll send it to ya soon :)
Keshi.
haha yes Fingers WE r doing so well..we wont ALL the gold medals lol!
Aint I smart now! ;-)
Keshi.
ty Sol and AMEN to ur comment!
**And I have lived in a country where I am a MINORITY RACE. I can proudly say not once have I faced racism in the United States
That's so true! me neither.
It depends on the Individual u r and not WHERE u live...thats wut I believe.
And one has to be outside their motherland to REALISE that. O.W. they'll never get it!
Keshi.
yes Nirmal is being REALISTIC, thats why he cud see the truth abt USA.
**Usually newcomers like to diss USA off and praise India to glory owing to their homesickness and lack of acculturation
thats so true Sol! I hear it all the time here in Aus too, from newcomers.
*rolling eyes*
All I can say is WHY r they here then?
Keshi.
@keshi...
dont angry at me :)
well first of all..i m not judging the post or the posts u write :)...maybe i would ve interpreted it differently if i was living abroad...no second thots abt it..the environmental factors wud ve played their in part in my understanding of the posts too :)
anyways..peace :)
Im not angry with u Mav. why should I be?
**environmental factors
strange how I always had the same opinion even when I was in Sri Lanka. I never thought foreigners were racist, shallow, this n that. I always judged a person from their personality, not from their ethnicity.
Keshi.
@keshi...environmental factors include alot of components..such as geo-political situation,economy,culture,society,diversity,the country's history and alot more...its not just abt the individual...
and i hope u knw that i wasnt judging anyone here :)
like I dun know that Mav? :)
In the end its the INDIVIDUAL perception anyways. None of wut u said matters.
Keshi.
@keshi...for me..i believe that my perception is defined by how i lead my day to day life in the place i am...so the environment does make a difference to me :) :)
**@keshi...for me..i believe that my perception is defined by how i lead my day to day life in the place i am...so the environment does make a difference to me
in that case then ALL INDIANS must think like u?
no more comments.
Keshi.
@keshi..everyone has the freedom to think they want to :)
Mav did I say they dun? :)
Keshi.
Look I don want to escalate this anemore coz...there are two types of people one who see a glass half empty and another who see the glass half full...and in this particular matter we both are talking abt same thimgh but we have a different perspective...I appreciate the changes from back then and ur counting present difficulties...and we both agree the work is not done yet..you want to spread compassion and I want to spread knowledge abt the rights...
and believe me the situation is not 100 years old...even wen sumone is under dictator in africa the fate is same...and if u want to see some pics of afghan and iraq under foriegn control or u want to see chechnya..i will be glad to send it to u..i jus showed wat massacre is and wat is genocide and wat if it happens now ...rest u r free to think in wateva way u can..i won't comment more... :)
but I wud say don't see all the things as failure ..accept the good things too..that's wat optimistic people do :)
Dear Keshi,
Its very easy to preach.....and i wudnt like to comment on wht some ppl here hav talked abt!! Coz i knw they never will understand the plight pf women in a country like India. A country where women are picked up from the road and raped in a moving car in broad daylight! I may b a karate black belt, but hw do i fight 5 men when they attack me!? I m sorry i dont possess super powers. :-/
*Govt cant protect 1 bn ppl*
True but wht they can definitely do is expedite the speedy trial and give justice. Ppl in India knw they can do anything and get way. Its fine to see the +ve side but v cannot b foolish enuff not to c the reality!!
Abt spreading awareness....yes thts a good point. But does anyone realise wht has happened due to the negligence of govt! Today v r soon gonna overtake China in terms of population. With so much of illiteracy, poverty, diseases.....how much can one do! Where does one start from!?
I m aware tht after 27 weeks allowing an abortion can b dangerous. But who has stopped the indian govt to amend the law which is some 50-60 yrs old!! There can always b special cases like this on. And anyways there's no point in fighting over this issue...coz god did wht was right. She had a miscarriage despite the law not allowing her to abort.
Bro tnxx!
In ur reply to Ria u say dun play the blame game, dun blame the Indian govt etc. But u urself said u BLAME the British for stealing from India, in ur blog. So u CHOOSE who u BLAME?
**but I wud say don't see all the things as failure ..accept the good things too..that's wat optimistic people do
Who said that we dun see or appreciate the GOOD things abt India/Sri Lanka? Hell we do. But this post was abt INDEPENDENCE. And to be honest, when there's so many areas that still dun exercise basic human rights, I dun think both countries hv true Independence.
Attitudes are very hard to CHANGE. And thats what makes some countries take years n years to progress.
Australia is just 200+ years old...all the hard work here was done by Immirgrants and the first set of Convicts who came to Aus in 1700s.
The difference was no one BLAMED anyone..everyone just GOT ON WITH IT.
Well this is just my opinion. Like u said, we can agree to disagree and end it here.
tnxx!
Keshi.
ty Ria!
**Its very easy to preach
I so agree. So easy to say see th good side blah blah blah, when actually the good side is only limited to very few ppl.
I agree..asking every Indian woman to learn self-defense is a FAR CRY, especially in a country that diverse in culture!
**True but wht they can definitely do is expedite the speedy trial and give justice.
I agree. And wut do our politicians do...never listen to wut ppl like u and I hv to say!
then again, I say its ppl of a country that choose their govt. The more we hide all this and go on as if nothing is wrong, the more we r in denial, the more time its gonna take to fix these issues.
**But does anyone realise wht has happened due to the negligence of govt! Today v r soon gonna overtake China in terms of population. With so much of illiteracy, poverty, diseases.....how much can one do! Where does one start from!?
I totally agree with that Ria! Same goes to Sri Lanka. Im over here and I know that the SL govt will laff at me, if I suggest something for the country. They wont even consider my opinion cos u know, in their view, Im a TRAITOR. But for the ppl who live there, I think it's high time they put a stop to the corruption and also REALLY think seriously abt their COUNTRY. Like ur doing.
yes God did the right thing by her Amen!
**But who has stopped the indian govt to amend the law which is some 50-60 yrs old
Thats another good point. ppl just sit and wait for things to change and it will NEVER happen unless they DO something abt it.
ty Ria!
Keshi.
And by all of this Im not trying to DISS anyone's country. Im only trying to make them REALISE that there r so many citizens in their countries that still dun BREATHE that Independence everyone seem to celebrate so happily.
And its sad when ppl still think that this post is abt finding 'faults'.
Keshi.
i too hav a simila belief as you keshi
ppl hav dne insane things in d name of nationality, i just wish they had cared more bout themselves than d world n end up ruining half of it!
hey Keshi
lovely post, u are so right humanity is above everything else but we humans need to feel that we belong and one of those identities is that our country gives us.
Every country in the world am sure has something that should make its citizens justly proud...and being proud of your own nationality in no way means being derogatory of another. It just means u are proud to be u. Sadly nowadays people especially from those termed the third world countries try very hard to discard their nationality, culture, rituals inorder to be more acceptable to the west. This happens coz of a lack of national pride.
I hope you understand where i am coming from.
Have you ever heard of an American who picks up a hindi accent cause he has stayed in India for two years?? Sadly I know many Indians who picked up the American accent in two months flat.
**Caste is the predominant factor used for reservation in India
Well, there is a reason for that. Why did reservation come? 'N when you find out the answer for that you'll get to know more about that!!
***If thats the case, then in this 61yrs mebbe India should hv TOPPED the world in abolishing poverty. So why hasnt it done that yet with all those riches? Mebbe the riches and the opportunities r not DISTRIBUTED equally? Did u ever think abt that Aneesh?
It's a fact that India is an emerging power 'N abolishing poverty won't happen just like that 'coz of the population. Also, after being ruled and exploited by other country, it's not that easy to come up
***Mebbe the riches and the opportunities r not DISTRIBUTED equally?
That's the case with almost all countries, the rich gets richer and poor gets poorer
*******why does most Indians/Sri Lankans who hv NEVER lived overseas label whites as RACIST, just like that? Just cos there skin color is white? Hv u ever been here Aneesh? hv u gone to Uni/Work in a White country? Hv u moved with White ppl? NO. So dont judge a whole nation based on wut u heard from 1 or 2 racists themselves!
Who labeled them as racist? I didn't! I meant individuals as you correctly said "Its Individuals who r racist, not communities". I was just mentioning some of the rare cases that occur even in such modern society, whether it's individuals or not. it's individuals who makeup a society.
'N I NEVER judged a whole nation. I said these happens there ALSO.
******Dun u ppl say nasty things abt Whites? Its like that. ppl hv mouths, and they will always JUDGE.
You didn't get what I meant. It's again individuals, OK! I've read about people who was working in US taking the side of terrorists[psychologically] after the Sep11. They say US deserve it. How can they say that, they got their job/life everything there and how can they say that? I never said wrong about Whites or Blacks, People with this character are there on both sides, Got it?
***being proud is when u do something significant to ur motherland, and as far as I can see, u or I hvnt done such things to our motherlands!
I don't think so!! When we say we are proud of our mother, does that mean we did some good to our mother, then only we can be proud of her? NO!! We are proud of what she is and we are proud 'coz SHE is our mother. To be proud of someone you don't need to do a thing, if you say you are proud of your friend, does it mean you did something for your friend? That's why you r proud of your friend? Similarly, When we do significant to motherland we can be proud of ourself not proud of our motherland. Am I right?
Solitaire,
*******I would like to know how YOU know what people born in one country feel like when they are raised in one country when that has not been your experience.
As you may know, we don't need any personal experience for saying opinions. It's impossible to experience everything in this world by oneself. So, normally we take into account other people's experience.
******I can proudly say not once have I faced racism in the United States. Sorry, it may be hard for you to digest
It is not hard for me to digest, I have friends who were there and they too never had any problems.
'N what one experience might not be the same for other. You might have heard about the Shilpa Shetty incident????
'N BTW you people are talking as though I said "All Americans or All Whites are racist" Which I NEVER did. The topic was being proud of one's country!!
ty Gunj sweetz!
**ppl hav dne insane things in d name of nationality, i just wish they had cared more bout themselves than d world n end up ruining half of it!
well-said. I wish everyone had 'brains' like u!
Keshi.
ty Pinku!
** but we humans need to feel that we belong and one of those identities is that our country gives us.
yes, thats the Sense of belonging. I did mention that in my post. didnt I?
**Every country in the world am sure has something that should make its citizens justly proud...and being proud of your own nationality in no way means being derogatory of another.
I didnt say its derogatory. All I said was when ppl say they r 'proud' of their nationality and they r celebrating Independence, now is there real Independence to all it's Citizens? When we speak of Independence of a country, it doesnt mean Independence only for few ppl. Wut abt the majority who may be sitting by the roadside, with no shelter, no food? wut abt the female babies that get killed just cos of their SEX? wut abt the women who r treated like 2nd class citizens? wut abt ppl getting bombed on their way to work cos of racial intolerance within the same country?
So Pinku, apart from getting Independence from the British regime, do u really think there's Independence to some ppl from ur own ppl? U may hv it, but not ALL citizens do. That was my point.
**Sadly nowadays people especially from those termed the third world countries try very hard to discard their nationality, culture, rituals inorder to be more acceptable to the west. This happens coz of a lack of national pride.
Discard? can anyone really discard their identity even if they go overseas or adopt Western culture? Are u hinting this at ppl like me who left their homeland? If so, u can come here to Aus and see how much Indians and Sri Lankans still love n cherish their heritage. How much they r still connected to their lands and culture. Just cos we r here, we dun walk ard painted white, colored blonde hair and eating sandwiches. I still love rice. :) There may be few ppl who forget their roots, but not ALL r like that.
being overseas is not DISCARDING our origins...ppl go places in search of opportunities that they prolly never got in their lands.
**American who picks up a hindi accent cause he has stayed in India for two years?? Sadly I know many Indians who picked up the American accent in two months flat.
Wuts so SAD abt it? Its a personal thing...not a NATIONAL thing. If someone wants to FAKE their accent, let em. They r fooling themselves, not anyone else.
Is speaking pure Hindi is such a patriotic thing Pinku, when within ur own country there r so many issues with regional languages and Northies not liking Southies etc etc?
After all Pinku, Language is a means of Communication..not a means of Superiority. There's no need to be proud there too. Use the language to get across a msg, not to DIVIDE ppl.
Thats my opinion btw. And I respect ur's :)
tnxx!
Keshi.
Aneesh why dun u tell me why India has a CASTE-based reservation system. Cos I'd like to hear it from an Indian :)
** Also, after being ruled and exploited by other country, it's not that easy to come up
plz dun play the Blame game for so long! It looks ridiculous. same goes to Sri Lanka. like I said before Gender-bias is not something the British introduced to India, is it?
**That's the case with almost all countries, the rich gets richer and poor gets poorer
hahaha who said thats the case in ALL countries? D u think Aus/US/Britain/Singapore has POVERTY? No. And by that, it doesnt mean everyone is stinking RICH here. But there's equal opportunities and equal wealth distribution here. Yes there r very RICH ppl here and average ppl too. But no there's no gut-wrenching poverty here like SL and India have. This is the harsh truth. It may be hard to digest but I prefer to say the truth than HIDE it or blame someone else.
**Who labeled them as racist?
u urself said it :) When u said that developed countries still has Racism, wut else wud that mean? And ur recent post in ur own blog abt NRIs facing racism in other countries said so.
**it's individuals who makeup a society
yes but that doesnt mean ALL INDIVIDUALS of that SOCIETY r racist! get that right Aneesh.
**I never said wrong about Whites or Blacks, People with this character are there on both sides, Got it?
I didnt say U said nastky things abt Whites. I said PEOPLE say such things. So why d u take it upon YOURSELF?
**To be proud of someone you don't need to do a thing, if you say you are proud of your friend, does it mean you did something for your friend?
u still didnt get it. I didnt mean that. I was talking abt ppl who say IM PROUD TO BE INDIAN/SRI LANKAN on Independence Day, when so many of their citizens r still hungry, discriminated based on gender/race/caste etc. To me thats not true Independence.
**So, normally we take into account other people's experience.
there u go! u pick few people's experiences overseas, and make conclusions. And thats WRONG Aneesh. I say WE do need personal experience before we open our mouths!
**You might have heard about the Shilpa Shetty incident????
I only heard abt the Richard Gere HUG in India that caused a massive hissy fit among Indian men! LOL that was enough to prove the ancient attitude of some Indian men.
Keshi.
I think we have gone too far here :)
Here was my comment that caused all the fuss:
"""""but that even exists in developed countries in the form of racism :)""""""
Here's keshi's reply to it:
""""""why does most Indians/Sri Lankans who hv NEVER lived overseas label whites as RACIST, just like that? Just cos there skin color is white? Hv u ever been here Aneesh? hv u gone to Uni/Work in a White country? Hv u moved with White ppl? NO. So dont judge a whole nation based on wut u heard from 1 or 2 racists themselves!"""""""
And here's Sol's reply:
"""""""***I have lived in both countries now. The country where discrimination is in the form of sexism (and only an Indian woman can understand how it is to be a woman in India), as well as caste and creed discrimination. And I have lived in a country where I am a MINORITY RACE. I can proudly say not once have I faced racism in the United States. Sorry, it may be hard for you to digest and you may say WTF but we cannot really bend the truth. It is a fact."""""""""
I don't know how you both came up with that reply. You might need to go again to KG class.
When I say poverty still exists in china, does that mean all Chinese people are in poverty??????????
******Gender-bias is not something the British introduced to India, is it?
There is no Gender-bias in India now, How can you say that? 'N who introduced the gender-bias in this world????? Nobody introduced it just occurred.
***Aneesh why dun u tell me why India has a CASTE-based reservation system. Cos I'd like to hear it from an Indian :)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_caste_system
***D u think Aus/US/Britain/Singapore has POVERTY? No.
There too Poverty should have existed if Govt. didn't help them or given .
*******I say WE do need personal experience before we open our mouths!
Then how can you say a lot about marriage if you don't have a personal experience?
missssssssssssssssssssssssed ya swwetheart!!
:(:(
had been busy with something i'll talk abt on my next post;)
i did humanitarianism more than i do independence..
I mean there's no point in celebrating freedom; when there is a bloody war ruining a thousand lives, and causing bloodshed..
On the other hand, being Indian does mean a lot to me- maybe in the current globalised era, it's misplaced. but indianised pangs hit me, my hunger, my sense of dressing up, my idlis n dosa n parantha tastebuds, ma dhoni, shah
rukh n rajni obsession, ma love for bhangra/flute/sitar/veena/ ar rehman, etc...
so i guess of mix of humanity and nativity in a multi-ethnic/cosmo worls would be what i'd look at and vote for!
mwuahhhhhhh..
hugssss
Aneesh ur lost in ur own words.
**You might need to go again to KG class.
It's this same RUDE attitude of some Indians/Sri Lankans that dun let their countries progress! Cos they get PERSONAL when something that need to be FIXED is pointed out.
When someone says something need to be FIXED, LOOK at what needs to be FIXED instead of LOOKING at the PERSON who said it!
*Marriage
u dun HAVE to be married to know wuts happening in married lives..cos I can see/hear abt my friends, cousins, relatives' marriages and my mum's own marriage to my dad etc etc..cos I live, grew up and moved with these with ppl. I WATCHED. So yes IM ENTITLED to make an opinion abt it, even tho Im still single.
Now u NEVER lived/studied/worked in Aus/US and moved ard with WHITES to decide whether they r ALL racist etc etc or not. So Aneesh it wud be WISER for u if u can just stop picking 1 or 2 stories from ur mates overseas (where u hvnt even been or seen their lives) and jump into biased conclusions.
Read Sol's latest post in Psychobabble. It's for ppl like u who always choose to STEREOTYPE.
I dun hv to go to Kindy, cos I've done it, and thru my entire education in SL and here in AUS up until Uni, I hv leant to appreciate ppl for WHO they r, not for WHERE they came from - UNLIKE U. So it's u who has to go back to KG class and get a new ATTITUDE, not me!
Thats all I hv to say. tnxx but NO THANKS!
Keshi.
Every line by line I am with you dear!!! As I love to talk about my origin and will never forget my roots but when it comes about independence, religion, race, culture and all those dividing factors - Humanity is what I stick to!
I loved this post of yours and now I am in hurry to read the next one as I see some good pictures of you and want to read it all about it :)
You are terrific. Your this post brings me closer to you more and more :) we are like one ...when I say so a slight emotional am getting - the tears say it all :)
Hugz dear
Cheers keep smiling
YAAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!! Aneesh, its my turn to now say WTF!!!!!!! I am happy!
ty Jane MWAH!
**so i guess of mix of humanity and nativity in a multi-ethnic/cosmo worls would be what i'd look at and vote for
Exactly wut Im trying to say!
And by pointing out wut needs to be FIXED, that doesnt mean I dont love and have no respect for those countries. In fact I love my roots and I will always be SRI LANKAN.
**hand, being Indian does mean a lot to me- maybe in the current globalised era, it's misplaced. but indianised pangs hit me, my hunger, my sense of dressing up, my idlis n dosa n parantha tastebuds, ma dhoni, shah
rukh n rajni obsession, ma love for bhangra/flute/sitar/veena/ ar rehman, etc...
definitely! Our origins r a HUGE part of each of us. Thats what makes you YOU and you're beautiful!
This post was abt whether we really hv Independence or not in some countries that claim they do...and alot of ppl took it all personally. :) Im glad u u'stood me. tnxx!
Keshi.
ty sweet Dawny, ur my soul sista HUGGGGGGGZ!
ur so like me, I get all teary too when I find striking similarities in u and me :)
**Every line by line I am with you dear!!! As I love to talk about my origin and will never forget my roots but when it comes about independence, religion, race, culture and all those dividing factors - Humanity is what I stick to!
This is all Im saying too! :) And some ppl took it all personally. All Im saying is that at the end of the day, wut matters is humanity. Ur nationality is not gonna win u friends or greatness in life, it's ur personality that matters.
**I loved this post of yours and now I am in hurry to read the next one as I see some good pictures of you and want to read it all about it
haha ur sweet HUGS n ty!
I knew that u'd u'stand this post well..cos u hv the wide experience, knowledge, wisdom and honesty that many ppl who just scream Nationalism dont have.
TY!
Keshi.
Sol WELL-SAID!
Keshi.
So tell me, What is Independence or Liberty or Freedom to you?
Independce, liberty or freedom for me is to have the right and freedom to express, live the way i want to, having no restrictions on what i practice!!!
It comes more from mind than from physical freedom!
Are we all really independent citizens?
I dont think so.. we arent!! We are still living in a cage. We are living in a world full of fear. We have the inhibitions to do certain things. We arent free to live or think exactly we want to. I dont think we are truly independent.
What are you proud of when you say you're proud to be Sri Lankan or Indian or Aussie etc etc?
Well, i m proud to be an Indian coz i have been born in India. The land has given me so much that i cant return. The culture, heritage everything... and believe me if i wud have born n brought up in some other country then i wud have been really proud of them too... coz u r proud of ur roots!
Wat i m proud of is wat i have become coz of where i belong to. Nation is just a notion, a similar set of people having similar lifestyle and i truly wanna see a world without boundaries. I believe in the humanity which the real India offered and which is been tainted by the politicians and money centric individuals.
hey keshi,
came here after a while so answering late.
you did mention the sense of belonging, I merely reiterated it.
Independence day whether it be India’s, Sri Lanka’s or that of the USA is a day of celebrating as a national as opposed to other celebrations which have regional or religious connotations. The lack of food, shelter, or female infanticide that you mention are problems, yes. But then the US also has its share of problems, whether racialism or growing drug abuse etc. that shouldn’t stop one from celebrating this day. Instead this day should be used to pledge our support to the just causes. Does that make my point clear?
Yes people do discard and if not discard try desperately to hide their antecedents…I remember a boy in middle school who had hissed at me for speaking in bengali to him. U see he didn’t want to be identified as one. This is not about being abroad or anything. Its about self pride which should be ingrained wherever you are. not as a superior complex but something that makes you, you. And I am not saying everyone is like that…just some are.
Whats sad about picking up an accent which anyone can make out is fake is the fact that the person is so repulsed by who he or she really is that she would be anything else but that…even at the cost of being laughed at the by the very people whom she wants to be a part of.
No speaking pure Hindi is not patriotic nor is every Indian who loves his country a pro in the language. that’s not the point I am making at all. and yes language is just a way to communicate so lets communicate the best way we know how to, instead of mimicking someone else.
Your opinion you know is always valued.
So, u r still not accepting the fact that you misunderstood my comment??
and all you can say on that is I am lost in my own words???
Yes I'm still lost in my own words 'coz I don't understand what I said wrongly 'coz my own words is what caused all the fuss.
***they r ALL racist etc etc or not
Where did that ALL come from????
***and jump into biased conclusions.
Read Sol's latest post in Psychobabble. It's for ppl like u who always choose to STEREOTYPE
Now, who jumped into biased conclusion??
***I hv leant to appreciate ppl for WHO they r, not for WHERE they came from - UNLIKE U
Did you ever tried to UNDERSTAND people????
Sol,
it's a free place, you can say whatever you want!
I am happy too!!
ty Ankur!
**Independce, liberty or freedom for me is to have the right and freedom to express, live the way i want to, having no restrictions on what i practice!!!
It comes more from mind than from physical freedom!
Good one!
**We are still living in a cage. We are living in a world full of fear
true. but some countries hv near-perfect Independence to ALL it's citizens compared to some other countries.
** Nation is just a notion, a similar set of people having similar lifestyle and i truly wanna see a world without boundaries. I believe in the humanity which the real India offered and which is been tainted by the politicians and money centric individuals.
Spot on! And thats ALL I meant from this post and some ppl took it all PERSONALLY.
U rock Ankur and ty for u'standing wut Im trying to say w.o. getting pissed abt it.
Keshi.
ty Pinku!
**But then the US also has its share of problems, whether racialism or growing drug abuse etc.
I wasnt talking abt PROBLEMS alone. I u'stand every nation has it's share of ISSUES. I was talking abt INDEPENDENCE to it's citizens. Problems as Drugs etc dun BLOCK ppl's HUMAN RIGHTS, does it Pinku? Its a personal thing. But problems like poverty, female infanticide, caste based inequality does BLOCK ppl from opportunities...and NO it's not a personal issue. Its a NATIONAL level problem. And if even one citizen is BLOCKED based on caste, creed, color, language, gender, status etc then NO that country dun hv Independence. Thats my belief. U r free to believe wut u believe Pinku.
And plz note that Racism is not something that exists ONLY in Western countries. Its very much prevalent in our own countries. Just that we hv been TAUGHT to see anything FOREIGN as 'Racist' and thats a hugely BIASED view.
When last year's India/Aus cricket problems happened in Aus, it was Indians who burnt the Aussie flag. No Aussies burnt any Indian flags over here.
Wut Im trying to say is Racism does not belong to just 1 country or race. It happens EVERYWHERE.
Abt accents...as long as it doesnt harm u, why r u so bothered abt it Pinku? Its a PERSONAL thing. We cant change the whole world and the way ppl adopt certain things or fake things or wutever. Its upto them. Isnt it?
After all, Nationalism or Patriotism or whatever can NEVER be forced. It has to come from the heart.
Keshi.
hey Aneesh!
**Did you ever tried to UNDERSTAND people????
NO. That maybe why I hv 100s of readers here!
Cos I cant UNDERSTAND ppl?...ppl that come from all parts of the world, from all walks of life and all colors and races!
Keshi.
***That maybe why I hv 100s of readers here!
OMG!!! Don't tell me you have readers 'coz you understand all of them LOL.
BTW, you didn't reply the first part of my comment.
:)
Aneesh ur qn to me was:
****Did you ever tried to UNDERSTAND people????
and that ans from me was because I TRY to u'stand most ppl (didnt mean I u'stand ALL of em), and thats why I hv alot of friends here.
Keshi.
OK, dear, I gave up :)
You do argue a lot, don't you?
Try some debate competition and you'll come first LOL
hahahaha Aneesh!
I just won..with YOU. lol! ;-)
Keshi.
CONGRATS!!!!!
:)
ty Aneesh lol!
btw congratts to u too for surviving with me this long into the debate haha!
Keshi.
Post a Comment