Our country is indeed unique, one foot in ‘tradition’ and the other in ‘modernity’, One in ‘madness’ and the other in ‘sanity’.
It is a country of contradictions!
Only in India… Do you find people rich enough to own a Mercedes 500 SL, But uncivilized enough to open the car door at a road signal and let out a long stream of pan-spite!
Only in India…Do we treat our guests like ‘God’, even if they are new acquaintances! But do not permit our cooks or maids who have served us for many years to even sit on the sofa!
Only in India… Do we have people who live in mansions kept spotless, yet will look the other way when their servants dump their garbage on the road outside.
Only in India… are we so ‘advanced’ that we can pay for a new car with our mobile phone ‘UPI’ App, but will show our ‘traditional’ side by refusing to drive it till ‘mirchi and nimbu’ are hung from the rearview mirror to ward off ‘ Alakshmi’ and her evil eye!
Only in India… Will a group around a counter shout and scream “bhaiya, bhaiya”, and wave money, in an attempt to get served, but will refuse to form an orderly queue that would save them time and energy?
Only in India… Do we have Apps where can we get food delivered in 20 minutes, and groceries delivered in 10 minutes. But have no idea how to call an ambulance in an emergency, or know how long it will take to get to us!
Only in India… Does ‘No’ not mean ’No’! Instead, it means ‘Jugad se hoa jayega’! Railway reservations, Permits and Permissions, Booze on dry days… You name it!
Only in India… Can you get a hearty meal for under $2, at any of the ‘Shetty’ run Udipi restaurants in Mumbai, But can also pay up to $300 for a meal at (Shilpa) Shetty’s restaurant!
Only in India… can men have such love, devotion and reverence for mothers (maa), Have a woman President and Prime minister before even the Western world, Yet be a place where women are most discriminated against, where they often feel unsafe and threatened, and where brutal rape cases shock you every little while.
Only in India… In a country predominately brown-skinned, can beauty be synonymous with being white, and where one of the best-selling products is called (or used to be) ‘Fair and Lovely’!
Only in India.…can we be so ‘pious and devotional’ and yet be so accepting of the ‘corrupt and immoral’.
Only in India..Do our surnames define us more than our values.
We are large-hearted yet mean, Traditional yet Progressive, Modern yet narrow-minded, Generous yet selfish, Cultured yet uncouth!
Only in India…can we curse and find fault with everything, and yet find it to be the only place where we are ever completely comfortable or truly at home!
@ bits_of_beauty_everywhere (# BOBE)