9th April 2012 is the day when I have landed into
a new India so called South India. Although one can divide India into many ways
as there are different cultures, religions, castes, languages etc. But one of
the most prominent divisions is South & North India where you get a good
mixture of all of these.
Our National Anthem is the first source where I come to know
about the South India (Dravida which is used in our national anthem is another
name of South India). From my childhood, I have very good image of South India.
I know South India for Gold (as most of the South Indian wear kilos of gold),
Education (I heard that South India Autowala is also speak in English only),
Black Beauties (Hema Malini, Rekha), Hot Climate & most important for
Honest People. With all these in my heart, I reached to Madurai – The Temple
City. Actually, I have to report to Union Bank of India Madurai Ro for my
joining formalities.
The very first day, I came to know that South Indian People
trust in simplicity and strict follower of their tradition and culture. The
simplicity reveals in their dressing sense, food habits, and living standard. I
have not seen a single one who is brand conscious here - no Levis, no
Blackberry only simple cloth so called lungi/ pant, white shirt for male saree, & salwar suit for female. These
people enjoy following their tradition. I think that this is the main reason
which makes you to see the true Indian Culture in South where Western Culture
is not able to affect the generous people of South India.
I also came to know on the same day that South India is too
hot without hot girls J
I am not able to find a single girl to whom I can say hot in the whole day of
my stay which otherwise too hot. Heat with Humidity makes the condition worst
in South India. Anyway the day comes to end with some relief from heat and I went
to bed
10th April 2012 is the 2nd day in
South India. The day started with a great experience. I have entered into a bus
to reach my branch. I saw a seat inside the bus. I went and seat there. The
moment I seat, the lady who is in the next seat start to bark like anything. Although I am not able to understand what she
was saying but her body language make me to understand that I have done a great
mischief. I became very afraid but one of the guys helps me to understand that
you are not supposed to seat with female in bus. So the first learning of the
day was that you are not supposed to talk or seat or do anything with a South
Indian girl who is unknown to you.
By the way I have entered into my allocated UBI branch with
a mixed felling of joy and fear. Joy of becoming an Assistant Manager and fear
that, whether I am able to sustain in Tamil Nadu. The first impression of my
branch environment really supports the second aspect of my dilemma. I observed
that all of my branch customer speak Tamil fluently J which I am not able to understand anythingL. Not only that all the
instrument which are there is also in Tamil only. I get relief some relief when
there is some interaction with my colleague and staff member who have speak in
English at least.
Sappar time is the times when you are suppose
to eat something. I can bet you that South Indian Food is so delicious that you
will enjoy for sometime but it’s also a fact that North Indian people are not
able to eat South Indian dishes in regular basis. South Indian dishes consist
of Rice ….Rice ….and only Rice (no Chapati) with Smabhar (no Dal), Rasam (no
Sabji), More and many other but all are cooked in such a simple manner that
North Indian (who use to eat Spicy dishes) will never like.
Somehow the day ended. In the way returning back to my room,
I have seen many temples. Here temples are not like the temples of our side.
It’s different because of the large size; here temples are built in large
number with magnificent size. Here gods are also called in different name as
compared to North India e.g. Meenakshi
Amma is the other name of Parvati Ma,
Nageswaran Swami is
the other name of Shankar Bhagwan. South
Indian people are really a big devote of god. They spent a lot of time for
serving god. Here way of serving god is also different from North India. So the
festivals are also different.
After 30 days
10th May 2012 – After spending a month time in South India, I have decided to write my
felling for South India. In one line, I can say that if you have not visited South
India, you have missed the True India. Although
the South Indian people are black in color but they are very white by heart.
They are so pure, honest, descent and cooperative personality that make you to
think about the Sukrat proverb which says ….’If you are not HANDSOME then
give your HAND to SOMEONE that make you HANDSOME.’
Although the all above problem persist e.g. Hot Climate, Food Problem,
Language Barrier and all other but it is only the co operation of these people which
make me to decide to stay in South India for a long time. Most probably, each of
the people, I have met in these 30 days give their best cooperation.
(Touch Wood)! May my South India never get change! Not get affected by
so called Western Culture! & It will always flourish with the Indian
Culture!
Disclaimer: This is only my view about
South India depending on whatever I have realized in my stay in South India. It
may differ for different personality and place to place.
