Pot pourri

India, a land of diverse cultures and a blend of people who almost challenge you to find similarities between one another. Strangely enough, one often is exposed to the entire gamut of this diversity while living abroad. Over a period of time, certain peculiar characteristics of every community become more apparent that it no more requires a very discerning eye. This is purely a satirical view-point with no intention of causing offence, so bouquets and brickbats are always welcome.
The Telugu clan have succeeded in adding a whole new dimension to networking. The unity is there to be seen from the time they land in the country to the queues on a cold wintry 6am morning waiting for the Thanksgiving deals and snatching up a few that even the store-owners did'nt know existed. The Gujjus know a thing or two about business for sure...Harvard and Wharton, please step aside. After establishing their dominance over the Indian grocery store market, the influence of this community has extended well into the motels across the land. In my last visit to a Days Inn, the motel owner was so keen to make me feel at home that an innocent query regarding a complimentary breakfast was dealt with in emphatic fashion- "the milk is in the fridge, the cereals are in the kitchen counter". The Tamilians however are oblivious to such developments in other communities. As long as at least 10 of them can get together over idlis and pots of sambar, the world is a playground. The more adventurous ones venture out on roadtrips and leave behind some tamarind rice and pickles at strategic landmarks just to remind the future visitors of their presence in the area. You could spot the Mumbaite in a crowd of tourists quite easily. As the rest of the touring party is clearly fascinated by the sights and sounds of the territory, the Mumbaite has a smirk on his face...Apne Mumbai mein bhi yeh sab dekha hai maine. Most conversations with the Mumbaite are about, involve, compare, extoll or do all of the above with Mumbai to the point that one wonders whether Mumbai is in India or vice-versa. I have also finally discovered how Punjabis are completely at ease whether at work or play. Almost all of them are under a false security that a back-up career in singing is always available. With the music companies promoting albums of anyone murmuring some Punjabi in the form of bhangra pop, it would be tough to spoil their reverie. The Mallus have been very disappointing in the US, mainly due to their paucity in the country. Apparently, a number of them took the Emirates flight from Kerala in the hope of making it across the Atlantic, but the stop-over at Gulf was too tempting and a mass exodus was witnessed. I have'nt really had a chance to catch up with my Kannadiga friends of late since I hear that they are still trying to protest the tragic death of the movie superstar. Recent exposure to the Kashmiri culture has seen me observe a penchant to making dishes with unpronouncable names with ingredients like lotus roots that the common man would think twice before incorporating in a cooking routine.
Definitely a diverse bunch we are, but it would'nt be even half as fun if it were otherwise. Catch you all next time around...