Cult Cher?

I’m a lazy oaf and don’t have much energy to expend on controversies, digressing here now, I’ve been told it’s important to take a stand even if it means leaning left. I’m most amused by the ‘culture protectors’ of Indian society and even more tickled to see that many of them are among the ‘educated’ masses.

How we’re going hammer and tongs at preserving our culture and having bans from moral codes to dress codes to lynching cow slaughter houses and beef eating communities, destroying churches, harassing minorities, stooping down to inhuman and disgusting practices for the greater cause of preservation of course. Such cowardice that stems from such fear.

On our 14 day trip of Italy, in every place we went to, whether a big city or major attraction to small villages we found tour groups of young Italian children, varying from ages 9 to 18. In hordes. All of them with guides, probably organized by schools or their ‘culture gurus’. They were made to trudge along and every place allowed them free access and priority. The guides spent much time going through the marvels of the vista and you could see the glow on the kids faces. Even the older ones.

Simple methinks. 

You want to preserve your culture? Your roots? Ensure that the next generation nurtures, adores and perpetuates it, then take them to the places we’re proud of. The wonderment I saw on the children’s faces, to me was like a solemn oath they took. I’m sure these young minds and hearts will have such deep pride in their country and who they are and it’s here to stay for always.

Religion? I doubt it matters anymore to them. They have grown above petty matters of who believes in what faith. They are united by the love for their homeland. A lesson we can take as Indians you think?

Catch them young, instill a love for the country not by reciting a few lines or encouraging differences but by allowing them to see, touch and feel the masterpieces of our temples, museums, architectural marvels… those that have captured the essence of our culture and you may never have to beat the culture drum no more.

Finally Rabindranath Tagore’s  prayer may ring true.

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high

Where knowledge is free

Where the world has not been broken up into fragments

By narrow domestic walls

Where words come out from the depth of truth

Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection

Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way

Into the dreary desert sand of dead habit

Where the mind is led forward by thee

Into ever-widening thought and action

Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake 

unquote

Now let me go drink myself silly! phew!!!