A Proud Indian

I vividly remember a couple of years back a Pakistani friend of mine asked me, “Oh you are a muslim, how do they treat you in India?”, I very happily boasted about how we in India treat each other with respect & dignity, How we don’t ever discriminate on basis of color, caste or religion.

Few years down the line, A similar thing happened, this time I got pissed how every person I come across  from Pakistan kept asking the same question when they came to know I’m a muslim & from India. 

Moreover, Some of them take cricket to such an extreme personal level where they say “You support Indian Team – That means you support Kaafir’s (non-muslims)”. 

I don’t understand the logic here, I mean why are people back in Pakistan so narrow minded & drag religion into each and everything?

This is the very reason I have been and always will be proud of being who I am, i.e. an Indian.  I feel immense pride in saying  “I’m  an Indian” if someone asks me this abroad.

Its amazing how people of this country have been together  In good times  as well as bad times. How during the crisis everyone lends their helping hand , come to rescue of those in trouble & during festivals get together &  celebrate it as one BIG Happy Family.

It is in India that everyone treats each other equally irrespective of the color, caste or religion.  Our Pledge itself says “All Indians are my brothers & sisters”, it doesn’t discriminate anyone .Our families & Schools have always followed this principle, they have taught us to treat everyone equally  & to never discriminate amongst ourselves.

 Right through our childhood we have been taught to share & care for each other. Treat each other equally & as a friend. We have been slapped by our parents if we ever uttered words like “Hindu, Muslim or Christian”.

It is only in India that a Hindu wishes everyone Eid-Mubarak & a Muslim wishes everyone a Happy Diwali. During Christmas everyone wishes everyone & children irrespective of their religion wait for the Santa Claus to come  fulfil their wishes & sing Christmas carols. It is only in India that a non muslim reminds a muslim friend to go & pray namaz. It is only in India that a Hindu says Assalamualaikum, Alhamdulilah & IN SH  ALLAH more times than the times a Muslim does. 

Today at the occasion of Diwali, I’m writing this post as I am overwhelmed with the atmosphere around me where all of us have got together  lighting crackers – hogging on the mithai’s & celebrating Diwali with the same zest as we celebrate Eid & other festivals with our friends. 

 I feel blessed to have been brought up in a country where each and every citizen is treated equally. Where we as an individual never discriminate amongst ourselves on the basis of religion,caste or color.  I am proud that I am an Indian and I love India!

PS. To all my Pakistani friends, this post holds just my personal views & opinions – I have no personal grudges against anyone from or in Pakistan