Last month, there was an open submission of poetry from middle school students, on the topic ‘Are We Really So Different?” referring to the British Rule, aka the differences between us, as Indians and them as Britishers. This is what I submitted-the main message being celebrating our differences, respecting our history and surging ahead hand in hand. I hope you like my take on the topic! 🙂
Are we really so different?
This you may just wonder
Between the British and the Indians
Are there variances we fall under?
There used to be a time
Which not many of us have forgotten
When we were taken over by the British
And treatment of slavery we had gotten.
200 years we suffered and ached
With the thirst of freedom and liberty
Grabbed at our weaknesses with pride
‘Divide and rule’ brought them into victory.
They took advantage of the malice
Present in kingdom battle and meelee
But what they did bought far more agony-
67 years have passed since then today.
With hearts burning of patriotism
Our ancestors gifted us this nation
They fought to death with devotion
Yet, the youth doesn’t have appreciation.
Today, we have forgotten who we were
Clouded with Western, English influence
This revulsion is what we call ‘modern’
We must guard our culture with prudence.
Are we really so different?
Well I’m afraid not anymore!
If we can step back into our ethos
There’s still hope for igniting our core.
Being different is not a crime!
The differences make us so unique!
India is the land of colour and culture
About this we needn’t be discreet!
What are the characters of our country?
Excelling in art, music, science and literature
Aura of security, colour, joy and goodness
Don’t transform brilliance into a caricature.
We are known for our unity
We are the bigger people of the world
We unite the continents together
With Hindustan, happiness is swirled!
Are we really so different?
So the question you have set
Yes and no is the answer
How do I explain- it’s kismet.
No- we are not so dissimilar
We all are humans after all
Our origin doesn’t define character
Culture does not define one’s gall.
We all are at the top
We all have skill to exceed
English and Indian can hold hands
And together we can succeed-
History is history indeed-
Neither country should bring it back.
We aren’t different- God has given
Us equal form with equal knack.
Are we really so different?
You know what? We are indeed!
Why shy away from our uniqueness?
It is what makes us exceed.
Embrace your beautiful individuality
Remember how we went through adversity
We are beautiful- we are different-
We believe in unity in diversity!
Tapasmi 