Why is basic civic sense seen as weakness here?
In the UK life was secure. No daily bhasad, no constant stress. I had very little money there but nobody really looked down upon me for it. People minded their own business, random smiles on roads were normal.
But UK was also where I experienced racism properly for first time. Once in few months some random guy would just abuse or bully you for your skin colour. Street, workplace, supermarket, anywhere. Most people were good, but those moments stay with you.
Still I missed family, food and got these stupid patriotic feelings also. Came back to India. Had option between Goa and Dehradun. Goa felt too “always partying” for me. Shifted to Dehradun instead.
And honestly last 2 years here have been amazing. Weather is chef’s kiss. Slow life, decent people, mountains nearby. Felt peaceful.
But yesterday brought back the exact same feeling I used to get after racist incidents abroad.
I was just driving back home after dinner with my wife. Stopped at a red light. Suddenly aggressive honking starts from behind because apparently people wanted me to break the signal and move ahead. I’m stupid in that sense — I actually try to follow traffic rules even when nobody is watching.
Around 40 seconds were left on the signal.
One uncle got out and came to my window telling me to either jump the light or move the car aside so others could. Then another guy joined in from a different car — Full aggressive wannabe tough-guy vibes (with open left turn). And for next 30 seconds it was constant abuse and intimidation.
All because of HR number plate.
“Go back where you came from”, “must be drunk”, "teri gaadi uthvadunga", calling friends, blocking road. Whole drama because I was waiting at a red light like normal person.
Honestly, I could’ve ignored abuse towards me. But hearing random slurs aimed at my wife over something as stupid as waiting at a red light completely messed up my night.
And since then I’ve just been thinking — where exactly are we headed?
Every small thing now becomes local vs outsider, caste, religion, language, region. Everyone is angry all the time. Basic civic sense is treated like weakness. Patience has completely disappeared.
I genuinely came back thinking despite all problems maybe the country is still moving in right direction underneath all the chaos.
Sometimes I really blame those random patriotic emotions which made me come back.
Anyway sorry for the rant.
(Used ChatGPT for structuring and proofreading)