Mahendra Nath Maharshi (Retd Sr. Officer DD) :
The concept ‘Nation ’ is perhaps wrongly identified and defined by us. In fact our, after partition Code Book, The Constitution of India, recognised us as Federation of States , living in a geographically demarcated land. This geographical boundary is also not without disputes, both within the boundary so also on the borders. It’s very beginning started with partition, which is not yet settled at our borders because the neighbours are irritatingly claiming and defying our border supremacy. And within this boundary we opened up our accounts with some feudal states merged into a federal structure, and then kept on re- demarcating the territories on one demand or the other with added unresolved disputes on natural resources like water, rivers , mountains and mines , and so on so forth. We divided our selves on the grounds of language, religion, culture and traditions. Our dress and attire, our meals and taste of the tongue, our faith and belief, even sometimes to the level of clan and family are a matter of contention. We have disputes related to the so called ‘national anthem’, national song, national language etc. I can go on pointing out many such dividing claims.
It is a false belief that we are a nation as yet. We claim of ‘ Ganga-Jamuni’ unity at the same time recognising the diversity. We claim to respect different cultures but not without the feeling of differences amongst. If I go into the history of this Asiatic region, there was never a claim at any time to be one Nation. Even the mightiest of Empires never called their territories as Nation. In fact, the concept of nationhood and nationality is a very recent ideology which came into effect with the introduction of ‘passport’ system of crossing through the virtual boundaries / territories, marked on the land,seas and sky.
India, to me is a very large group of people , ever multiplying into a huge population, who decided to live together with quarrels and disputes abound. How long this may last, need to be left to the touch- stone of time.
Mahendra Maharishi,
6.4.2020.
Dubai.