Here we are: India booming to its full capacity in the 21st century with many ‘colours’ to add to its multi-faceted persona. Yet three hues can delineate India like no other. We have The Black – the dim, shady, shadowy, ugly reality; The White – the absolute pure truth; and, of course, The Grey – the obscure, muddled vision we try to craft, albeit in vain.
India presents a visage that gives the impression of being a probable world power on the global front, but scratch the surface and we are back to square one. The Black side of India is sponsored by corruption, fraud, rape, dowry, slaughter, poverty, illiteracy and so forth. The gloomy by-lanes of the small cities and suburbs are peopled with drug addicts, rapists and small town goons for whom insignificant brawls could result in murders. And, well, the sad part is that it is not only limited to suburbs – metro cities and urban centres are their ‘dented-painted’ decorated counterparts. The politicians – with their Swiss accounts bursting, their pockets bulging and their fibs quite indulging – play an imperative role in painting the motherland Black.
But just when you thought there was only murkiness looming in from every corner, India assures you there is more to here: her White side. This exquisite magnificence lies in the eyes of the youth, the hands of the law and the souls of a billion citizens with their hearts beating together in one thump. The India that crowds up and together protests against corruption, against rape, against injustice, dyes the nation White.
The next shade of India’s persona is well acquainted with The Grey. The indistinct promises we try to make for ourselves – unsuccessfully – belong to The Grey. The hope to bring a revolution for the betterment of society belongs to The Grey. The likelihood to actually try to live with Rs 32 a day belongs to The Grey. The desire to actually instigate equality belongs to The Grey. The faith in the power-holders belongs to The Grey. Because we hope. We hope to turn Grey into White even though we know it is a shade nearer to Black. We hope because it is the only thing we can do. We hope.
[AFREEN KHUSRU is a student of Class 12th at DPS RK Puram, New Delhi.]