Friday 15 February 2013

Are We Crazy People?



My daughter’s exams are fast approaching (poor she:() and I am helping her with her studies (poor me:( :(). So that makes both of us unhappy souls these days. 

Today we were doing a chapter in her social studies subject and discussing the great social reformer of 18th century, Raja Ram Mohan Roy. She came up with a complicated question (when doesn't she!), “Mom, what is caste system?”

I tried to explain “Hmmm. Caste system is an old system wherein society is divided on the basis of work people do. Like people who taught or wrote scriptures, were doctors, scientists and priests were called Brahmins, soldiers who ruled and defended the kingdom were called Kshtriyas. People who were sold and bought commodities, owned shops were Vaishyas and people who were farmers, carpenters, masons, shoemakers or doing any manual job were Shurdras.” I thought that was it, but...

“Why Raja Ram Mohan Roy was against it?” She asked wide-eyed.

“Because it created differences among people. They started looking down upon others who were from different caste. For centuries, it has caused much hatred and violence in our society.” I tried to explain as briefly as I could, not to give away too much that paints a very dismal picture but at the same time is truth in crux. This new trend of explaining kids everything really gets on my nerves. Whoever advocated it was not a mother for sure!

“Mom, who are we?”

“Kshatriyas.”

“But we are not soldiers, neither do we rule.”

Now this was difficult one. I scratched my head and said,”See, now-a-days we do not follow caste as per the job we do. It is just that we are born in certain caste and use a certain surname.”

My daughter look at me, agape,” When we are not doing what we are supposed to do, what is left of caste? Why do people fight over it? People are crazy I tell you.”







46 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. They are, a simple funds doesn't get into their head!

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  2. nice take on caste system and yes its crazy too

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    1. Thanks Cifar, I hope all think with same innocence.

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  3. Hmmm. You might have to have that conversation again. Yes, there is craziness globally.

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    1. In form of caste, creed, religion, people of same species are vastly divided, come to think of it, it is crazy only.

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  4. Brilliant! What even a child can conclude adults refuse to!

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    1. We lose this simplicity over period of time. I am afraid when she will have her first brush with caste system, how would she react. It is inevitable when admissions and jobs are given on the basis of caste and not merit.

      The whole system is crazy, silly and so complicated.

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  5. The Child is really brilliant.How innocently she raised a question"'WHY ARE WE FIGHTING?" Can anyone give her a convincing reply?

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    1. Every child would react the same way, Ma'am. It is beyond their comprehension what we have made of humanity and human.

      Thanks for reading!

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  6. A child doesn't understand these conflicts... yet, it's incredible how her understanding reduces everything to zero! Its ridiculous indeed..!...Brilliant!

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    1. Thanks Ma'am,

      A child will understand if we can give a legible explanation, But can we do that! There is no explanation as to why are we fighting over something which is no more relevant.

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  7. Children sure stump us so called wise adults with their questions & reasoning...

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    1. Oh! They do and in their own way show us the mirror.

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  8. Wow ... she is so true ... people surely are crazy !!!

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    1. As a part of this society, we are crazy,Amrit. And we are living with system with all the apartheid, we face or others face because of us is epitome of craziness.

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  9. So child IS the father of man.
    Btw Meenashi i have taken to watching Veera lately.In that serial a small girl amuses all by asking questions.

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    1. My MIL told me about this serial. It her favourite show on TV. She told me that the girl is shown to be a very fearless soul. It takes guts to ask questions in our society.

      Thanks for reading, Ma'am.

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  10. Your daughter has already realized the one truth that most adults refuse to acknowledge. This gives me hope for the future.

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    1. Generation by generation we are abandoning old redundant thoughts and embracing a new global culture, We are all the part of movement that heralds better future, so its our responsibility to give right direction to our kids.

      I am only afraid of the discrimination that our system thrusts on kids and make them aware of ugly realities of society.

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  11. I agree with u- Caste system is an old system

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    1. ...and discrimination based on it must be discarded.

      Thanks for reading Gaj.

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  12. People are crazy n your girl could understand that through a simple example but people at large still aren't able to understand it...!!!

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    1. Agree Anjan, I mean seriously, If we are not following how a caste is supposed to be followed, why discriminate on the basis of it. All kids will agree but adults will not.

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  13. Children's conscience is unpollted. Unfortunately, the curse of the 'cast system' continues through reservations.

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    1. I totally agree, and it is the reservation system that forces the new generation to think on biased lines. Before that it hardly matters.

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  14. Ha ha ha. Children seems to be more smart.

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    1. They surely are, The kind of exposure and access to knowledge they have, we didn't have at our times.

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  15. Meenakshi

    when we were in school we didn't know anything about caste system whereas my daughters did know a lot ---sadly this enlightenment came their way only through their text books and the cultural and social scenario of the country what with reservations etc -----and one more thing I dislike is the books saying hindus worship in temples,sikhs in gurudwaras muslims in mosques and christians in church thus again contaminating the minds of the young--and drawing a line ----my comments may be a little out of place in this blog but i do feel that way ---a lot of things need not be told let the child decide for herself .Instead we could do with a book on moral science which seems to have vanished from the curriculum

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    1. I couldn't agree more Rajni, yes, children are told in 2nd standard only that people belonging to a particular religion go to a particular place to worship, which is wrong to a certain extent. I remember, when I was working with a company, We were given 'Divinity' framed religious emblems on Diwali as employee gifts. We were totally miffed that we were being given according to religion. Like I received 'Luxmi-Ganesh ji' and a sikh employee got 'Guru Nanak Devji'. We all employees protested strongly against it.

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  16. It may be crazy, but I've come to the conclusion that 90% of our population love it and cannot do without it.

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    1. If this practice is still going on, there has to be people who practice it.

      Thanks for reading!

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  17. Meenakshi, good post on an important issue. Belief and Faith runs everybody's life. A little introspection into our beliefs helps us to change and polish our redundant beliefs and move forward with a wider perspective. If we think that our ancestors had limiting beliefs, we need to guide our children so that they do not grow up in confusion. Every team has a coach. Likewise, parents are responsible to coach their children on important aspects related to life.

    As Rajni Sinha said, we need to teach good morals and manners which are not part of the education syllabus unfortunately.

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    1. Sadly, we have attained superficial rituals who have no practical purpose but discarded the value based education system, which is painfully devoid of character building practices.

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  18. nowadays children are much exposed and knowledgeable than the parents.. too many questions been asked.. that we have to scratch our heads to find the most appropriate answers. she is so true. people are crazy, in one way or the other. good post.

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    1. This exposure and knowledge have their own good and bad points. But as long as it promises basing their decisions on reason and rationality, I am happy.

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  19. People are crazy fighting over something that does not exist and that's exactly the attitude we want in our kids :)

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    1. I hope they hold onto this attitude as they grow.

      Thanks Jas!

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  20. We never see kids alienating their friends on the basis of caste . what happens in the course of time to erode these virtues when they grow up is one big mystery in itself ! Your child is smart . let her remain untarnished by the evils of the society :)

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    1. As parent my endeavour would be to inculcate logic based values in her. Let's see how far I succeed!

      Thanks Maliny!

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  21. life could be and well, is definitely simple from a child's eye. Wonder why do we grow up so complex!

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    1. It is a mystery we are yet to solve, Akila. Scientists are busy solving the problems of universe, but complexities of human behaviour need an equally urgent attention, If we ever wish to live in harmony.

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  22. Kudos to girl. I havnt seen hard caste system in practice, but for such situation I remeber movie 'Swades'.
    Aane wale generation aise ho toh future bright hai.

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    1. Hard caste system! Pick any newspaper and read about dictates of khap panchayats. It is there and happening, we urbanites may be oblivious to it.

      Thanks for reading!

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