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INDIANNESS defined

Jun 07, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,

As a diaspora Indian Hindu growing up in Trinidad, my Indianness is defined by the social constructs that cultivate my mind and shape my Atma [Soul), i.e, how to think, behave and how to assimilate by keeping the Vedic culture intact and alive.
Indians originating out of Bharat and domiciled in Trinidad, Guyana, Suriname and other places have become more sensitised to their identity than those Bharat Indians due to their social construct.
Indianness is having a feeling for one’s own music, sports, politics, cuisine and dress codes. Indianness is defined by behaviour and thinking and pride in every facet of life.
In politics when the Indian based party DLP lost the Trinidad elections, I felt upset feelings that cannot be explained.
As I recall getting up in 6am in the morning and turning that radio dial to hear Indian music and bhajans is like, I drank a booster vitamin. Having my Vedic flag and offering jal [spiritual water]; I feel reenergised for the day.
In sports, I remember climbing up a tree with my radio to listen to Rohan Khanai bat for the West Indies Team and that brings a certain pride and joy to my Indianness.
On weekends in years gone by, many others and I usually look forward to going to an Indian movie or show that added a personal Indianness to me.
My Indianness becomes stronger when threatened by enemy forces who want to define my ethnicity or my identity. When I celebrate Diwali, Phagwah and Indian Arrival Day, the Atma is satisfied.
The wearing of a sari is as beautiful in making a statement for the Indian race and Indian womanhood.
When an Indian is insulted because of their race and way of life and does not feel upset then that is a cloned Indian who is grounded in someone else’s roots. Since this article was provoked by Freddie Kissoon who wants to know what is Indianness, it reveals to me that his upbringing was more “Creolised than Indianised” from growing up in Georgetown. Freddie may find it difficult to feel Indianness as his ATMA is compromised. This does not mean that he is unretrievable.
Case in point is the Honourable Kamal Mohammed of Trinidad who was one of the main founding fathers of the Black based party [PNM] in Trinidad and who was next in line to become
Prime Minister upon the death of Dr. Eric Williams.
The honourable gentleman was told by PNM – affiliates and specifically by the President of Trinidad, Sir Ellis Clarke: ‘YOU CANNOT BE THE PRIME MINISTER OF TRINIDAD, THE COUNTRY IS NOT READY FOR AN INDIAN’. Kamal was hurt as his ATMA was affected. All his political life he was a strong supporter of the PNM. Kamal retaliated by telling Muslims that they must support the Indian based party [UNC].
If the 1964 WISMAR MASSACRE does not affect Freddie Kissoon as an Indian, he cannot feel Indianness.
Most importantly, my name also defines my Indianness.

Vassan Ramracha

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