The concept of ‘Indian Identity’ has been widely discussed, hotly debated and written for years. I have given considerable thought to this concept throughout my life.
I was born in India and grew up in Singapore in a family that is ‘very Indian.’
We spoke a mixture of my mother tongue Malayalam and English at home, ate simple Indian meals, listened to Hindustani and Carnatic music and visited India every year.
I learnt both forms of music and Hindu philosophy at a young age.
My parents now live in Chennai, and as the saying goes, home is where the heart is. Part of my heart will always be with my parents in my motherland.
However, I am also a New Zealander, like all others who have chosen to make this country home.
If I choose to have children, they will be born in New Zealand and will grow up here. Will that make them any less Indian?
I believe that the answer will depend on the upbringing and the values they imbibe.
As Pavan Varma says in his book ‘Being Indian,’ India is a difficult country to characterise and Indians are not easy to define.
He says, “There is a notable exception to every generalisation. For every similarity, there is a significant difference.”
Indian Thali
India is a land that embraces difference. Shashi Tharoor, Former Under-Secretary General of the UN, former Minister of State for External Affairs of India and eminent author described India as a ‘Thali,’ a selection of sumptuous dishes in different bowls.
“Each tastes different, and does not necessarily mix with the next, but they belong together on the same plate, complimenting each other in making the meal a satisfying repast,” he said.
Our identity is forged in diversity. The Indian constitution now recognises 22 official languages, and our cuisines, customs and costumes vary from one state to the next.
India is home to the world’s major religions and it is possible to be a good Christian, a good Tamilian and a good Indian at the same time.
According to Mr Tharoor, it is our ability to embrace our own diversity that marks our identity as Indians.
I agree.
Collective identity
It is our shared sense of being Indian despite our plurality of thought, custom and worship that gives us a collective identity even in diaspora communities. Our identity exists in our hearts and minds. It is this Indian identity that I would want our children to have – one that imposes no pressure to conform to someone’s suggested idea of an ‘authentic’ Indian.
I want them to be able to hold on to being Indian, and to hold their own among the majority population in New Zealand.
Active family
I come from a politically active family; a family that is dedicated to doing their part to make the world a better place. My great grandfather, Dr C R Krishna Pillai, was involved in left-wing politics in India and played an instrumental role in the formation of Kerala, the State of origin of my family.
I was brought up to value social justice and the ideology that everyone, regardless of background or circumstance, deserves to live with dignity.
My grandparents and parents have practiced these values throughout their lives.
I am often asked what led me to stand as a candidate for the Labour Party. It is the match of values; those my family has upheld for so many generations, and passed on to me are the same as that of the Labour Party stands.
Collective Action
Labour Party policies are based on its values of fairness, opportunity, solidarity and collective action.
Labour believes that the State has a role to play to ensure that all people have the opportunity to find decent work and affordable housing so that they are able to look after and spend more time with their families.
Labour also believes that the State has a duty to protect our children and ensure that they have the opportunity to access world-class education.
We have the policies to ensure that these aspirations become reality under the next Labour-led Government.
I will explore some of these policies in greater detail in my future columns.
In the meantime, I would love to hear from you at priyanca02@gmail.com
Priyanca Radhakrishnan is a List Candidate of Labour Party in the forthcoming General Election to be held on September 20, 2014.
