Being Indian

At the Club Mahindra property in Goa over this week, we were a noisy bunch. Like any group of 60 men, women and children will be. We asked for a separate enclosure for ourselves so we would not disturb other people at meals. And we were given a separate enclosure. None of us noticed an elderly couple sitting here, until the lady walked up to us to tell us we were ill-mannered and needed to behave. 

Later in the morning, her husband, an elegant looking gentleman, walked up to three of us to have a chat. As soon as he came over, we apologised to him for the noise we had created. Very soon, the gentleman told us what he thought of us Indians. That he had traveled the world and never seen such rowdy behaviour. We told him politely that everywhere in the world, where there are large groups there will be noise and that’s the reason we were sitting in a separate enclosure. 

Ofcourse, he promptly let us know that he knew the Family and that’s why he got an upgraded suite at the hotel, and special service from the hotel staff. And that our enclosure had been ‘his‘ special enclosure for breakfast. 

So far so good.

And then the gentleman told us that he had very less faith in Indians and in their ability to take care of themselves. That we destroyed everything. That we respected nothing. That there was no hope for Indians or the country!

This - from an Indian gentleman, whose name might mean something in the Banking circles coz he had once headed the Standard Chartered Bank. 

And the three of us he had accosted said nothing to him. I looked at him, with diminished respect.

We are Indians and respect our elders -that is the reason we entertained him in the first place. None other in the world would have heard him out. He is possibly my Dad's age so I did not want to be rude to him. The other two women with me also kept quiet for the very same reason. 

He is clearly an Indian who has made it big. That’s why he pulls favours (or is Jugadu as we would say) to get the best suite in the hotel,  gets special service and is fawned upon. Where else in the world would he have gotten such impeccable service? 

I felt no anger at him - the feeling was one of sadness. 

 At 72, when you are so resentful of the country that helped you become big, of the people in that country who gave you respect, and who indulge you still - what can I say? If, after heading up an International Bank, you feel that your Indian brethren are so incapable of handling themselves and need a white man to do it - what can I say?If you continue to milk the country dry by currying favour because your social status allows you that access, and yet are critical of all other Indians -what can I say?

I did not lead his journey, so I cannot say why he hates his country men so. But I only felt terrible that someone so senior, who many Indians must have looked up to, is so uncomfortable in his skin.And I hope my journey will not be like his....that I will continue to be a proud Indian - whether I live in India or abroad. That I will continue to have faith, that despite corruption and inspite of people who abuse power for personal gains, this country will pull through.That being Indian means being resourceful, gracious, large hearted and forgiving.

Thats the reason we all chose to keep quiet- when we were all seething with anger.