Patrotism paradox
Thank you for an article which clearly shines a light on the hypocrisy of the diatribe against Aamir Khan's concerns ("Patriotism paradox: NRIs chasing wealth abroad are heroes, Indians fleeing hate are traitors"). It should be clear that what each of us feels cannot be judged as either right or wrong. You cannot argue against a feeling.
If we really want to demonstrate tolerance, we need to have an open mind and ask what has prompted this feeling. Those who speak up against an increasingly intolerant India actually care about this country. When you talk about a problem, you are taking the first step to finding a solution.
I hope that we can build a nation that will listen to voices like those of Aamir Khan, and ask what more can we do to make our society inclusive so that people don't feel insecure. We also need to be able to disagree on various subjects without immediately being labelled unpatriotic. – Anita Guha
***
The sheer arrogance of the writer astounds me. There is clearly a superficial understanding of the situation in India and its deep roots, embedded in a history of subversiveness created by the "lofty" colonial rule in India.
There is also little understanding of the global context of racial tension in so-called safe Western societies. Overall, this is a poorly written and distinctly partisan article. – Sonia Tandon
***
As an NRI, I am forced to comment on this article because it presents a jaundiced view of the subject.
Do you think any of us want to leave India? Do you think that life is a bed of roses abroad and that money can be plucked off trees? There is the pain of being separated from loved ones and being in a strange land with no chance of ever becoming a "local". The article does not look at the pains that one goes through abroad.
So please don't suggest that we love being overseas. We had the skills to place ourselves in the global job market and we go to these countries not necessarily by choice. It is because back home, there isn't a semblance of hope that things are going to get better – not for decades.
When criminals are being elected to govern Indians, what hope is there for those who have got a decent education and want to have a family and just a normal, decent life. What is the harm in looking for happiness elsewhere?
Don't oversimplify the topic. Given a choice, NRIs would surely rather work in India. We have tried to change things in India but the only weapon we have is the ballot box. But we don't see that working for us because the political system makes you vote for thugs and criminals. – Suresh Adiyeri
***
I too want my child to leave this country because there are quotas in every field. Even the most educated and well-read people are inherently racist. This is because of our system.
There is no other reason to live in this country apart from our families and roots being in India. We lag behind European countries to such a great extent. Human life is valued much higher in these countries. Here, politicians are becoming rich and the common man is suffering. – Poonam Sagar
***
A fantastic article. It's disgusting to read about our double standards and readiness to lash out just for the sake of venting frustrations. I have almost stopped reading the newspapers because I do not want to fill my mind with negativity first thing in the morning. – Rathin Verma
***
NRIs are our salespersons. Their success brings faith in our knowledge and skills, Indians fleeing manufactured hate are giving a bad name to the country. This is not only affecting the atmosphere emotionally, but economically as well. – Gangesh Gunjan
***
This article is rubbish. We love India and left the country to seek better economic opportunities abroad. But we do not condemn our country. Instead, we try to help our people back home as much as possible. We understand that it's a huge country with immense complexities, but we love India. Such articles are the work of armchair critics who are up to no good. – raipremji on email
***
Across India, there is a belief what we are tolerant, especially in contrast to our neighbours. Apart from our democracy, it is this tolerance that makes us superior to them.
So when someone chooses to question one of our most cherished myths, it is intolerable. It is not the desire to migrate that provoked this outrage: it is Aamir Khan's implicit suggestion that we are no better than the Pakistanis which is the real sting. That what he says also happens to be true makes it even worse. – M Suresh
***
Education and mindset are Indians' basic problems. Despite of being a country full of highly educated gems, we are making an issue of a public figure expressing his concerns in public. – Kishan Soni
***
This article is well written and conveys the sentiment of a minority with a family. I have always loved my country and that is one of the reasons why I am still living here, but I fear raising my child in such an environment.
The face of India that I had known has completely changed in the past 18 months, with anti-minority elements gaining control. We call ourselves a tolerant nation, but are intolerant to criticism. If anyone dares to open up and air their opinion for the sake of bettering the nation, they are called anti-national and unpatriotic, and are asked to leave the country and join the Islamic State. – Sheryl
***
I am an NRI. Your article is full of biased assumptions. You have turned all NRIs into bigots and insulted them with your derogatory comments. – Amit Dhruv
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letters@scroll.in.
Thank you for an article which clearly shines a light on the hypocrisy of the diatribe against Aamir Khan's concerns ("Patriotism paradox: NRIs chasing wealth abroad are heroes, Indians fleeing hate are traitors"). It should be clear that what each of us feels cannot be judged as either right or wrong. You cannot argue against a feeling.
If we really want to demonstrate tolerance, we need to have an open mind and ask what has prompted this feeling. Those who speak up against an increasingly intolerant India actually care about this country. When you talk about a problem, you are taking the first step to finding a solution.
I hope that we can build a nation that will listen to voices like those of Aamir Khan, and ask what more can we do to make our society inclusive so that people don't feel insecure. We also need to be able to disagree on various subjects without immediately being labelled unpatriotic. – Anita Guha
***
The sheer arrogance of the writer astounds me. There is clearly a superficial understanding of the situation in India and its deep roots, embedded in a history of subversiveness created by the "lofty" colonial rule in India.
There is also little understanding of the global context of racial tension in so-called safe Western societies. Overall, this is a poorly written and distinctly partisan article. – Sonia Tandon
***
As an NRI, I am forced to comment on this article because it presents a jaundiced view of the subject.
Do you think any of us want to leave India? Do you think that life is a bed of roses abroad and that money can be plucked off trees? There is the pain of being separated from loved ones and being in a strange land with no chance of ever becoming a "local". The article does not look at the pains that one goes through abroad.
So please don't suggest that we love being overseas. We had the skills to place ourselves in the global job market and we go to these countries not necessarily by choice. It is because back home, there isn't a semblance of hope that things are going to get better – not for decades.
When criminals are being elected to govern Indians, what hope is there for those who have got a decent education and want to have a family and just a normal, decent life. What is the harm in looking for happiness elsewhere?
Don't oversimplify the topic. Given a choice, NRIs would surely rather work in India. We have tried to change things in India but the only weapon we have is the ballot box. But we don't see that working for us because the political system makes you vote for thugs and criminals. – Suresh Adiyeri
***
I too want my child to leave this country because there are quotas in every field. Even the most educated and well-read people are inherently racist. This is because of our system.
There is no other reason to live in this country apart from our families and roots being in India. We lag behind European countries to such a great extent. Human life is valued much higher in these countries. Here, politicians are becoming rich and the common man is suffering. – Poonam Sagar
***
A fantastic article. It's disgusting to read about our double standards and readiness to lash out just for the sake of venting frustrations. I have almost stopped reading the newspapers because I do not want to fill my mind with negativity first thing in the morning. – Rathin Verma
***
NRIs are our salespersons. Their success brings faith in our knowledge and skills, Indians fleeing manufactured hate are giving a bad name to the country. This is not only affecting the atmosphere emotionally, but economically as well. – Gangesh Gunjan
***
This article is rubbish. We love India and left the country to seek better economic opportunities abroad. But we do not condemn our country. Instead, we try to help our people back home as much as possible. We understand that it's a huge country with immense complexities, but we love India. Such articles are the work of armchair critics who are up to no good. – raipremji on email
***
Across India, there is a belief what we are tolerant, especially in contrast to our neighbours. Apart from our democracy, it is this tolerance that makes us superior to them.
So when someone chooses to question one of our most cherished myths, it is intolerable. It is not the desire to migrate that provoked this outrage: it is Aamir Khan's implicit suggestion that we are no better than the Pakistanis which is the real sting. That what he says also happens to be true makes it even worse. – M Suresh
***
Education and mindset are Indians' basic problems. Despite of being a country full of highly educated gems, we are making an issue of a public figure expressing his concerns in public. – Kishan Soni
***
This article is well written and conveys the sentiment of a minority with a family. I have always loved my country and that is one of the reasons why I am still living here, but I fear raising my child in such an environment.
The face of India that I had known has completely changed in the past 18 months, with anti-minority elements gaining control. We call ourselves a tolerant nation, but are intolerant to criticism. If anyone dares to open up and air their opinion for the sake of bettering the nation, they are called anti-national and unpatriotic, and are asked to leave the country and join the Islamic State. – Sheryl
***
I am an NRI. Your article is full of biased assumptions. You have turned all NRIs into bigots and insulted them with your derogatory comments. – Amit Dhruv