Has multiculturalism and multi-pluralism lost its meaning in the new-age India?

The ever rising rural-urban divide has also led to the undeniable effect it has on religion and society at large. We, as the gen-next, have a very vital role in this rather precarious situation which is the tip of the iceberg. With war-like situations developing on the northern front as well as the north-eastern front and religious riots plaguing every state, it is time we realize our responsibility.

Throughout the advent of the human civilization, we have been at loggerheads with people who have had different ideologies than ours. However, the level of tolerance was much more as people used to address the problems head-on. The concept of multi-culturalism and multi-pluralism exists in the Indian society since time immemorial due to the wide variety of people of various class and various religions.

Today, however, the tolerance level has taken a massive hit. The fight over whether a temple existed or a mosque, whether minority rights should be given to certain people or not, etc. have all worsened the situation. As children of this society I think we need to re-define religion, re-define our perspective and our belief about the society. 

Brothers and sisters, “give peace a chance” is no more a cliché dialogue, rather it has become the punchline.

The Parking Saga....

Shaurya was waiting for his friends in front of Vaishali, when he saw her for the first time.

Now well, to the uninitiated, Vaishali is arguably Pune’s most famous South-Indian restaurant, located at the heart of F.C. road. Go on any weekend at any time of year and you will find a waiting of at least fifty minutes (that has been my experience).

It was a Saturday evening, and so as expected parking was almost full. Shaurya watched with amusement as the girl, across the road, was having difficulty in finding a spot to park her Dio. The girl was all covered up, you know the works- Scarf on the face to go along with an oversized helmet, just like every other woman driver on the road. (It has always confused me why the females in the city ignore the popular fashion magazines and take tips from Al-Qaeda weekly. I guess it’s just a way to be different. I have never understood fashion, anyways).

After searching for ten minutes or so, she parked her Dio outside the white rectangle (apparently a major traffic rule violation in the city) and headed towards the British Library. Shaurya’s gaze followed her to the library, fascinated by her appearance.

His trance was broken by the menacing tow truck making its way up the road, swallowing its preys that had just so slightly crossed the line. He tensed. The girl’s Dio was in danger.

He shouted, trying to catch her attention but the girl continued on her route, ignorant about the approaching danger.

“Damn you, earphones! Why do people listen so much music”, cursed Shaurya as he started running towards her.

Realizing he won’t make it, he ran back towards the Dio hoping to squeeze it into the box somehow.

He just made it but the tow-truck had arrived and two guys had already started to lift the moppet.

“Bhaiya ruko”, he cried.

“Kay Zaala?”

He started explaining to them that it was his Dio and he had just gone to the nearest shop to buy some gum. What followed was a long argument, which eventually after a lot of pleading from Shaurya, saw him sail through.

Exhausted, Shaurya turned towards the Dio to see her already sitting on the Dio, easing the vehicle out of the parking spot.

Pleased with himself, he smiled at her. After all, he had just saved his damsel in distress from the fire-breathing dragon, (Movies do this to young minds) and now expected her to jump into his arms.

He was already thinking about the song they would dance to........

The girl gave him a sheepish smile, before wearing her helmet and scooting down the one-way lane.

Forget dancing, his efforts didn't even earn him a thanks.

Shaurya kept staring after her, even though she had long gone out of sight.

"Life's a bitch!", he cursed!

Frustrated and embarrassed, he slowly turned to see his Pulsar being towed away as he had parked in P1 instead of P2.

Friends....

Sunday night at 1am when I was sitting on my bed to write an article on “friendship”, I had no wonderful idea to be translated into an article. No memories galore to be sung. All I had was a 300 word limit and a deadline to keep. Just then a friend of mine, let’s call her Ms “X” (for the sake of privacy and confidence) , set my phone ringing. A call this late in the night meant only one thing that I was going to face a damsel in distress who just needs “someone to support her” through the difficult period which most probably would be a hostel mate not offering her maggi. I knew that the next 2 hours of my life would be spend listening to the agonizing details of how much attitude some unknown person has. I ignored the call. The next few minute I worried about the gods of loyalty questioning me and burning me in purgatory. So I returned Ms X’s call. Of course I was right about all my premonitions but it might still be worth it because not only was I being a good friend but I also got a seed idea for my article.

A train of thoughts whistled its way through my already tired brain. I found myself recollecting a long forgotten SMS which said “girls often start talking where a boy ends his conversation”. Scientific studies show that women tend to discuss everything possible whereas a guy has lesser no of close friends (read BFFs followed by those little irritating heart symbols) and fewer “let’s talk” sessions. A problem at hand in a man’s life is often solved by a few thumps on the back and “chal re Apache” attitude. In case of a disagreement where a woman takes the “fight” route, a man generally takes the “flight” route. Anyone who has seen a guy return to bed at 4am after talking to his girl friend, looking like he has undergone the holocaust all over again, will agree with me on this 1.

Ms X is still talking. But I am getting messages in the background from Mr. “Y” whose dog killed a pigeon on the new carpet and how proud he is of the feat… no comments!! Back to my thoughts, there is of course no saying on the comparative depth of friendship among the two genders but a few disparities scream out loud. They exist since the beginning of time. For example, the categories of friends. While a guy tends to categorize his friends into categories like class, tuition, pool, flat or bike etc, a girl has good or best friends. A very elaborate procedure of testing and scrutiny is followed before induction into her friends group. That is just the way it is..

By now I am almost nearing the end of my friend’s call. A few last minute sympathy sentences need to be dispatched. “Of course you are right. Oh god, you do put up with a lot. I am glad you spoke to me.” And closure…!!!