SO...WHAT'S YOUR CASTE ?

Scene (repeated umpteenth time ):

Dood x – “ Hey …what’s your caste ?”

I – “ ummm…why ?”

Dood x – “just wanted to know …you just , just like that “

The following 10 mins. are taken up by a lengthy discussion of my ancestral origins . It ultimately ends in me getting compared to Imran khan from “jaane tu ya jaane na” and I am asked if I have to do all that that he had to do in the movie ..

( yeah ..imagine me on a horse…or hitting a guy…food for laughter  ? )

Which brings us back to the main issue ?

Yes …people do look upon caste even today .And by people I mean …people of my generation .

We are very quick to say that we are progressing…progressing where , I ask you ?

Going to the pubs…drinking….drugs … live-ins ?

And yet …tiny lil’ things like ‘caste’ and superstitions keep tugging on our armada pants.

Check out http://www.communitymatrimony.com/

Or turn to the “matrimony section” …Sunday newspaper… funny but enlightning .

Scene II :

Dood x – “We went to this guy’s funeral or something …we must come back and take a bath and throw away the clothes “

I conveyed the idea to my mom . Who , is turn gave me a 15 mins. lecture on how we have to deal with cadavers every day  and I’d dare not do all that !

Scene III :

Dood y- “hey , I am not worried at all . The boss is from my caste/village …I am sure I’ll get a promotion “

(question : Ever been to you village ma’cheire ? )

Scene IV :

One of my friends was getting married . The guy …typical dream Indian groom .

( IIT …IIM …6 figure salary )

The mother-in-law , “ now , it wouldn’t look good if the bahu goes outside and works “

This , considering..that my friend had qualifications almost equal to the sonny boy !

Scene V :

Dood z- “ummm ….hey I can’t eat non-veg. or drink today…it’s some auspicious day”

This .. considering that , the guy is a regular drinker …chops non veg. like anything …and CANNOT RECALL the last time he went to the temple .

Funny , our modern age corporate bachcha log turning into ‘agyakaari’ ( obedient ) lil’ mumma’s boys .. it makes them feel good …as if they are still tradition bound .

Trust me , God won’t mind …

Liberated , are we ?

Somehow people want to follow Amrikkan culture ( hell ! amrikkan movies …shows…songs …brands…daaru  )

What we don’t realize is …we are just picking up the wrong points from their culture as well .

->Agreed , the teenagers over there lead a more independent life . And probably a lot less restrictions . But then , most of them move out of the house … start living n earning …by the time they are twenty something .

We , sitting on our couches..revelling in mummy-ka-pyaar , and demanding the same luxuries … ( did anyone say ‘unfair’ ? )

->live-ins ! ahhhh….

Yes , steal it from the Amrikans . Next time , check out the divorce rates too ( oh another field in which we are moving ahead btw )

Yes , we do have a lot of ‘bad points’ in our esteemed Indian culture .

We , as the coming up generation can keep an open outlook …can’t we ? that will help..to a certain extent ..

So , the next time someone asks you your caste , tell them ,

“Dood ….I know it . and that’s enough .”