Phoren Indians

Recent months have witnessed a spate of attacks on Indians in Australia and this has led to various declarations (from people dealing with ideas) that Indians are generally filthy in their behaviour and presentation when they are outside the country. Indians are also infamous for their rude behaviour and the absolute lack of politeness. I condemn violence of all kinds in the strongest terms and violence based on prejudice is its worst form and is deplorable, but we need to think about life outside India (especially and life itself generally). Both of these problems stem from the premise that 'we' are superior and the 'other' is inferior.

Having lived for four years now outside India and having witnessed both types of Indians - those who are very particular about personal and global hygiene and those who care a damn - I understand that there is a problem we need to address. The tendency to 'emit' filth around our homes and the lack of importance we pay to personal hygiene are almost universal traits in us.

Another common problem with us is our unending appetite for rudeness. We don't need to be servile to anybody belonging to any culture, but can't we cultivate the practice of politeness while dealing with people? Why do we think like we think at home in India that the ruder we are, the easier the chances of getting work done our way?

One of my most respected lecturers at college used to tell us that the better patriot is the one who points out our flaws and shows us the way forward, not the one who shoves flaws under the carpet and becomes jingoistic. I agree with opinion makers who say that we need to make an effort to keep our outsides as clean as we tend to keep our insides (puja room, kitchen...) clean. Let me also add for good measure the suggestion that we imbibe politeness as a habit and try and wipe away rudeness from our interactions with people.

Well, hmm, I need a lesson or two to learn there!

Deepesh C