“What's in the name,
That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet”
- William Shakespeare
The above quote came from Shakespeare, the man who ironically has published some of the greatest works of English literature in his own name! On the same lines, in the past few days’ public opinions taken by media seem to be implying that “Young India” has developed a new quote “What’s in the Identity…”. There were many discussions by eminent panelists who had no qualms of asserting their own identities, but were seemingly unsure whether youth in India assert their respective identities or not. Many of the televised public polls in the Ayodhya verdict build-ups had the representatives of “Young India” making statements like “India is a secular country…” or “We live in 21st Century…” or “We are in the age globalization, global citizens…” etc. etc.
Hearing these arguments I had a question in mind - Is Identity truly an outdated concept in today’s globalized world? Saying that I am a global citizen or merely stating out of context that we are Indians; can such single identity suffice us in all the various environments or walks of life we have to interact with? Can Identity as a concept be so rigid?
I don’t think so, according to me Identity being such a fluid concept in today’s world, we tend change it based on circumstances and surroundings. For example, at a global stage we would identify ourselves proudly as Indians, at national stage based on our state-wise affiliations, at state-level we come to city-wise and moving further down the ladder when we are identifying ourselves in relations/friends we identify us with our family name or surname, and this is not restricted to Indians alone but can be considered as a global concept ; people in western world can also be seen proudly displaying their heritages and lineage, based on the what we read in the newspapers or watch on television. Similarly another example I would like to give in context to today’s globalized corporate world is that; when I visit my clients I don’t present my personal identity, but it becomes a sub-set of larger identity that is my “Company” which has chosen me as its physical medium to represent its own identity, but in my own company when it comes to internal official work I represent my own team which becomes my identity; coming further down when I am in front of my seniors I have the identity of a junior and have to adhere to it.
This is a concept generally followed by all, but when it comes to asserting some controversial identities, the garb of pseudo-secularism or pseudo-modernism takes over. Just like Shakespeare’s irony, the ideal views people present are only restricted to public discussions, but in the real life all of us have to live by our respective changing identities for gaining recognition for ourselves, our country, our company etc. which defines the base of growth in our life. Whatever we say cannot change our identities, merely saying I am secular won’t change anything, we will always remain who we are whether we accept it or not. The whole point of writing this article is that I want to request all my brethren out there that don’t be afraid to assert your identities. Instead of running away from them by making pseudo-intellectual generic idealistic statements, accept them and try to imbibe the world of co-existence, co-habitance or accommodation of separate Identities. Idealism can only be followed in an ideal world, but the practical material world we live in has different demands of its own and we have to live by them to grow. Differences, controversies are bound to take place; why even two close friends have difference of opinions or quarrels; but does ignoring or running away from them solve the issue. No, we have to take a stand which is just and which promotes co-existence of all identities; like the shrewd verdict of Ayodhya. True you cannot always please everyone; but it’s our duty to take at least a stand & try moving towards a definitive solution.
Hence, I appeal to the “Young India” that the earlier they realize and accept that “All’s in the Identity” will be better for a prosperous future which we see as individuals in our progressive & developing nation.
-Ashish Shekhar Kirtikar
