Global Citizen - Where will you end up??
I have criss-crossed India - as a child on family vacations and as a professional on assignments. In spite of seeing much of the country, I feel that I have not seen most of the country. What I have learnt is that India is immensely diverse, both geographically and culturally. The diversity of landscape, food, people etc.. from North to South and East to West is unbelievable. This diversity and culture allures people from around the world in search of something different.
When I was in my teens, I never understood westerners visiting India in search of spirituality (recently, I read that Steve Jobs also visited India in the 70's for similar purposes). While many still go in search of spirituality, for me it is homecoming.
One question I get asked a lot on my visits is "Where will I end up?". A difficult question to answer. The short answer would be "I am an Indian so India.....". The problem is that even in India, I have lived at many places. I did my schooling and initial college in Mumbai, completed my graduation in Bangalore, started my working career in Mumbai, moved around India on assignments, came to Japan for a 2 year stint, went back to Mumbai and now for the past 7 years I am in Japan.
Our roots definitely lay the foundation and answer the question "Who we are?" but "Who we become and where we reach" depends on where we live and become successful. It also depends on which city / country gives you the opportunities to pursue your dreams. Every place, city, country where I have lived has contributed to my experience and development. At this stage I really do not know where I will end up.
The experience of living at culturally different places has imbibed me with a lot of confidence and made me strong. I have overcome the fear of moving or the phobia of a new beginning. I am not afraid to move to another place or for that matter another country if that is where I feel I should be.
All cultures have a history and a heritage. Every culture has good and bad aspects. It is only an the will to accept and adapt which makes the difference between the winners and the also-ran. The exposure and adaptation to different cultures not only helps in developing a broader mindset but also helps the individual in being more tolerant.
I am sure there must be many people like me facing the question "Where will you End Up??" time and again. I am still searching for the right answer. If you have any answers I would love to read them.
Till then I would like to be a Global Citizen (or a migrant as they say..), because as is believed and I too agree that Migrant society is the most vibrant society with the best cultural landscape.
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