I found the Mizos practise honesty and trust effortlessly. Why don’t we give it a try? […]
It was 10 years ago that I was posted to Lunglei for a two-year tenure.
There is a lot of misconception about the North-East in many parts of India. That people there are “culture-less tribals, head-hunters, that they eat wild animals,” etc. In short, there is a definite, palpable and unmistakably condescending attitude towards the people of North-East in the mainland. The general apathy and animosity sometimes manifests as hostility we see elsewhere.
Initially, when I was called a mainland Indian I was irked. Why should I be singled out? Are they not Indians? Soon, I realised there’s a Himalayan difference between ‘them’ and ‘us’. I experienced this the day I set my foot on Mizoram. […]
While I am not surprised by my compatriots’ ability to fool others, I was touched by the sheer innocence of Mizos who never suspected such behaviour and would smilingly wave us away. Every time my friend laughs victoriously, I would burn inside. Is this the way of civilised people? Does being smart mean the ability to deceive others?
This is not to simply sing paeans to the Mizos. […]
(The writer, an assistant engineer at the DD Kendra, Chennai, can be contacted at sgmnse@yahoo.in)
On misconceptions about the North-East in many parts of India – sweet memories of Mizos
Source: The Hindu : Opinion / Open Page : My sweet memories of Mizos
Address : http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/open-page/article3755007.ece
Date Visited: Tue Oct 16 2012 21:16:11 GMT+0200 (CEST)
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