What are the qualifications to be a global citizen?
I wear American sneakers, follow a Japanese faith, intend to study further in UK and stay in India since my birth.
Does that prove anything about my belief of vasudhev kutambakkam or its just a mere extension of the new age lifestyle?
According to me, a true world citizen needs to cut down on all prejudices and rise above differences to one big goal of understanding the world and all its habitants.
His heart must beat for a Siberian and an Arab equally. He must know their concerns, try to understand them and rejoice their victories.
A shaman in modern times trying to understand his purpose on this planet without pettiness of boundaries, race and religion- a world citizen looks at fellow humans with a glint in his eye that’s warm. He looks at a place of worship as a place of architectural beauty and belief.
A person without labels and comfortably vagabond, picking up pieces of this abundant universe who tries to find out exactly how tea made of yak tea tastes like and why the region cannot afford better transportation than the age old sorry looking trucks and buses.
What drives a true world citizen? Definitely not the designer labels which boast of cross cultural amalgamation for style and statement. It’s the quest for knowledge and wisdom. Its his attempt to face his mirror everyday without wanting to take his eyes off. Its about believing and acting upon world peace even if it means to let a presumptuous neighbour know that gays are human and illiterate helps at home also need to be treated with respect.
When Raj Kapoor sang mera joota hai japani… he believed that an average Indian’s heart had all the best qualities and virtues of goodness that is meant to be. He believed that an average Indian is free of greed unless he is provoked by financial constraints. He also thought that society is responsible for criminalisation of individuals and corruption of politicians and industrialists. He spoke of a democracy in which people act against what they believe in.. he raised questions on patriotism that we swear by.. Ashutosh gowariker did it again recently by Swades… As much as I respect both these film makers… I also have a view that any kind of groupism, be it national, racist or religion related takes away a person’s individuality and makes him just a statistic.
Being a world citizen takes that away and gives this happy feeling inside heart instead of a void that we always try to fill in.
Try being truly nice to someone you don’t know. if it doesn’t bring a smile at your face, atleast it will give a satisfaction of doing something right.. Being a world citizen is a dream yet for me as I work to get rid of many notions, hypocrisies and discriminations that I harbour within . I can assure you one thing, no matter what comes, my heart remains human and I would cherish it when I walk in my American sneakers, practice my Japanese faith and apply to a Uk university
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