We're just like that...

We're just like that. We proclaim our unity with bold words. We talk of being brothers and sisters; but really, we're told growing up, to marry anyone, but someone from the other faith. We're just like that.

We talk of a history. Rich. Proud. But we don't fall short when we have to ape. If nothing, we won't fall short of being the first ones to say "we're going nowhere". We're just like that.

We're just like that. We announce our culture and norms to all. We speak of our duties. We speak of how much we respect. We talk of breeding love of showing the other cheek. With swords held firm behind our backs.

We denounce all violence. We banner and immortalize our national hero. Remind ourselves of him each time we look at a soft and sagging note in our neat and organised wallets. We form groups and cults singing praises of our motherland. The saffron goddess of all things good. And when push comes to shove, we hesitate not to slay. We're just like that.

We surrender our minds and beings to god. We celebrate days of rest throughout the year in honour of our many gods. We pray to the female goddess and we shun the girl child. Yes we've heard this all before. And that only goes to further say, that we're just like that.

Take a look at everything that we claim to be a bold and dashing symbol of our country. Our national sport is a joke. Our national emblem a mere work of art. and our national animal, is today dying. We're just like that.
This is just how our country works. And one look at the state of our national symbols of pride, and you know, how much of a nation we really are.
We'll put up a statue for a dead actor worth ten crores because a few of us decide to make trouble. While lakhs wake up to a cold morning, holding on to their sanity and the ones they love after a cold and cruel flood, we debate who goes first and who does what.
Each night we rest to a bold claim on our news, and each morning, we wait for yet another exciting dose at night.
We call each other names, from sala madrasi to "has to be a north Indian". and I shudder to comment on the east and the west.
Because we. Are just. Like. That.

I hope I am never a national figure of pride for this country. I wish not to be thus treated.

While "save the tiger" is just something that even fails to irk us today, just another one of those "save the planet rants". Life, is much more important. What with status updates, visas to leave, and so much more. Life is much more important.

And so, with only one thousand four hundred and eleven tigers left. What is left, is a true result of our convictions. This is how we treat each other. There is noting more we can expect. This, the respect we have for the goddess who rides a tiger. This, all the care we have for all "creatures of god". This the duties we boast of. This the heritage and this the history. And clearly, this our National Pride.

It's the tiger. It's not us. We'll never be where the tiger is at. We've done enough to build ourselves shelters. Keep ourselves. Store much more than enough to survive. Studied weather patterns. Created warnings. Swift help in emergencies. Constant connectivity. We're the kings of convenience.
What does that animal know? What does it know of guns and such harm? When has it ever taken more than it may need? It may leave its cubs alone to fetch some food. And if shot and killed, there are no emergency numbers they can call. No shelters. No last goodbyes. no wills for their further protection. All they have, is what they know from within. And all they have, is what they first got from nature. They have not torn her down all for themselves. They only take as much as they may need.
What have we done? We're so proud of our humanity. Where is it now?

We really are the fittest.

We don't know what we can do to help save them. And so we won't find out.
We're just like that.