The Myth of the American/European Dream

When I went to the USA in 1995 for graduate studies, it was for three reasons: (1) an opportunity to study at some of the world's best universities, (2) I got a scholarship (I hail from a normal middle class family and wouldn't have gone otherwise) and (3) for the  adventure of it all - new country, new people from across the world, new experiences.

In my eleven years there (MS, PhD, Postdoc), I met many awesome people (and a few jerks - which is perfectly normal, they are everywhere) and still have active friendships in the US and other parts of the world. I respected people around me and carried myself with an equal measure of self respect. At no point I felt "overly eager" or "desperate" to stay on in the US. It's important to have a dream, a goal, in life - but there's no reason for it to be an "American Dream" or "European Dream" or whatever - the world's a big place with tremendous charm and variety all around!

I see a lot of people continuously affected/perturbed by policy shifts in the US (or elsewhere) as if our lives and happiness depend fundamentally on any one region of the world. This is a display of a very low level of self respect and not cool. The whole world is certainly open and I encourage the concept of a global citizenship by all means, but go anywhere only if you are received with respect - not otherwise.

Chill out! Keep your self respect intact, your skills and knowledge super sharp, and make positive contributions only and only where and with those you feel respected.

Spines straight and chins up!

Consolidate. Unite. Express.

As you read this post, bear in mind that I have already spoken against making Hindi compulsory in schools or/and offices around the country. I'm educated enough to know that we are a nation of tremendous variety - languages, philosophical systems, religions - and every freedom must be maintained to allow all variety to express itself and thrive.

Yet, I understand the need for symbolism. And I believe what I'm saying is important:

Below is a picture of our capital, Nai Dilli (New Delhi), Railway Station. On the top, the name of the station is displayed in three languages: Hindi, English and Urdu. I think we ought to make the following two changes:

1. Add the name in two more languages: Gurmukhi (the primary language of the Sikhs) and Pali (the primary language of Buddhists).

2. Order them in such a way that the Hindi script (Nai Dilli) is in the center and the English script (New Dilli - not Delhi (anglicized)) is on the extreme right. (Using English as the medium of instruction in schools and colleges is a practical necessity as it helps our students engage with the world at large easily - but giving it any "central importance" anywhere is just an immature lack of self respect.)

We consolidate, we unite, we express our identity on the world stage with confidence. This is important. Very important.