The Batch of 1978
I remember my early years in the
Medical college where I studied. We had Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Atheists
all under the same roof. We knew where each one was in terms of their religion
and faith. But it never mattered. What mattered was, we were the batch of 1978.
We are still the batch of 1978. My roommate was a Hindu and a Marxist. Yes we
had our share of politics, but that was in line with the dominant political movements
of those times, but never in the name of religion. Some of us who were not
happy with the dominant political movements, remained apolitical and that was
respected by the politically active. Some of us were strong in their religious
faiths. I being one such example. But that never reduced our friendship or
relationships in any way. We respected
each other’s faith and beliefs and gave space for that.
I remember five of us deciding to
go on a tour. This tour took us to a Christian Mission Hospital in Tamil Nadu.
All of us enjoyed the hospitality and the opportunity to learn medicine there.
I enjoyed the bible teachings in the hospital along with the rest of the
opportunities. Later one of our Muslim
friends spend a few months working in one of those hospitals. Our visit took us
to some temples, where our Hindu friends took part in Puja’s and rest of us
helped them in getting Puja materials at a lower price from a Malllu merchant
who was trying to make a fast buck. At that time, I never thought about how
diverse our group of 5 was. Now reflecting, one was practising Hindu, one a Hindu and Marxist,
One a Muslim, One a catholic, and I a Protestant Christian.
Almost 40 years have passed; we still
keep in touch. Our batch of 1978, the relationships still remain strong. Some
of us who moved out of the state are not too actively engaged, but as part of a
social network group we all are active. When
one observes the messages people send in the social networking group, one
realises that some who were religiously neutral has become more religious. Some
more atheistic. Some are now activists. Most of them are in very influential
positions, some as principals of Medical colleges, many in state government
services, some in very prestigious positions in their fields. But these changes
and or differences does not seem to have affected our relationships. We still
remain the batch of 1978.
Why did I write this – for me
this is India. Diverse faiths, backgrounds, cultures, positions but accepting
each other. Not only accepting but celebrating the differences and variety,
whether it is language, culture, religion or ethnicity or backgrounds. At the
same time, holding on to our own faiths and beliefs.
But as I read the newspapers, as
I travel to various parts of the country, I find this changing. There is
intentional division created by the various powers that be – to divide and
rule, to divide and conquer, to unite based on certain backgrounds and put down
those who are not part of these backgrounds.
How can we as people in
influential positions, use our areas of influence, to challenge each other to
be “like the batch of 1978” – true Indians…. Celebrating God given (or nature
given as some of us may put it) variety and differences in our midst.
This is freedom – to celebrate
each other, diverse as we are….as God’s unique creation….
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