An evening view of India Gate at Delhi Along with the numerous approbation accredited to it, Delhi can certainly be considered as India’s education hub. Sticking only to the Northeastern region, every year near about 20,000 students migrate to the country’s capital for higher education and in search of a better tomorrow. And why not they be, after all there’s never a scarcity of opportunities in this region of the country. There’s always a huge elbow room for the one who has the capability to grab and make most out of it.
However, when one gets surrounded by the vividness and vitality of the city, comes a whole lot of harshness too. Perhaps, this is one of the reasons that have given rise to a bountiful amount of myths and a stereotyped attitude. Especially amongst the ones who is yet to live in and experience the ‘Dillwalo ka sheher’ that’s Delhi.
A few days back, I was chatting with an old friend of mine over phone, who was curiously enquiring the city’s temperament and my experience with it. Before, I could answer her, she came up with her prejudiced opinion stating, “How is Delhi, not at all safe na, especially for girls?”
On a personal note, belonging from Assam, and having spent over two years in the capital now, I often come across such stereotypical remarks. Most people think, ‘Delhiites’ are always in a great zest to harm and exploit the northeastern people. Students from the north eastern corner of the country being left alienated by the localites of Delhi, is a common notion of the people. However, residing in the place and being well acquainted with it would certainly change one’s attitude towards Delhi and compel to think in the other way round.
Firstly, contemplating the question of Delhi not being safe for the women folk and rising crimes, in that manner no place is safe for women. Infact, according to the latest data released by National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), crimes in Assam is 36.6, higher than the national average of 21.2. So, does this signify that people should stop coming to Assam or women should stop roaming in the streets of this region? Every state, every city has stats of heinous crimes, but the reason why Delhi is targeted is, it being the national capital and media highlighting incidents that take place here for numerous days.
Shifting focus to the so called fact that the students of northeast are always estranged. Yes, it’s agreeable that they are left over alone, but what I have observed is that we ourselves are the prime reason behind this. The students and the residents of Assam and northeast, finds the utmost pleasure in mingling with people of their home town. On all occasions they remain segregated among themselves, and at the end they complain of alienation. Being in new place, one must open up with its people, culture and vibes, restricting to one’s own self will assuredly give shelter the feeling of alienation and a preconceived negative notion.
But, amidst all there are people with detrimental motives who tend to manifest supremacy towards the new entrants in the city; however the responsibility to differentiate between the nasty ones again remains with us. This not only in the case of the ones coming to Delhi, but certainly applies towards life too. Failing of a proper distinction between things, makes one deviate from the right path and people who falls trap to it, residing in the capital would again curse the place for it.
India is a country of diverse culture, tradition, language, lifestyle etc. The main reason behind the tension that breeds among people abroad is communication gap, and this perfect pretext applies here too. Due to lack of interaction a feeling of isolation erupts among students, which further gives rise to more problems. Each person brings with him/her numerous different things both good and bad. To remain in harmony, ignoring the bad stuff, one must appreciate each other’s culture and try to learn from it.
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However, when one gets surrounded by the vividness and vitality of the city, comes a whole lot of harshness too. Perhaps, this is one of the reasons that have given rise to a bountiful amount of myths and a stereotyped attitude. Especially amongst the ones who is yet to live in and experience the ‘Dillwalo ka sheher’ that’s Delhi.
A few days back, I was chatting with an old friend of mine over phone, who was curiously enquiring the city’s temperament and my experience with it. Before, I could answer her, she came up with her prejudiced opinion stating, “How is Delhi, not at all safe na, especially for girls?”
On a personal note, belonging from Assam, and having spent over two years in the capital now, I often come across such stereotypical remarks. Most people think, ‘Delhiites’ are always in a great zest to harm and exploit the northeastern people. Students from the north eastern corner of the country being left alienated by the localites of Delhi, is a common notion of the people. However, residing in the place and being well acquainted with it would certainly change one’s attitude towards Delhi and compel to think in the other way round.
Firstly, contemplating the question of Delhi not being safe for the women folk and rising crimes, in that manner no place is safe for women. Infact, according to the latest data released by National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), crimes in Assam is 36.6, higher than the national average of 21.2. So, does this signify that people should stop coming to Assam or women should stop roaming in the streets of this region? Every state, every city has stats of heinous crimes, but the reason why Delhi is targeted is, it being the national capital and media highlighting incidents that take place here for numerous days.
Shifting focus to the so called fact that the students of northeast are always estranged. Yes, it’s agreeable that they are left over alone, but what I have observed is that we ourselves are the prime reason behind this. The students and the residents of Assam and northeast, finds the utmost pleasure in mingling with people of their home town. On all occasions they remain segregated among themselves, and at the end they complain of alienation. Being in new place, one must open up with its people, culture and vibes, restricting to one’s own self will assuredly give shelter the feeling of alienation and a preconceived negative notion.
But, amidst all there are people with detrimental motives who tend to manifest supremacy towards the new entrants in the city; however the responsibility to differentiate between the nasty ones again remains with us. This not only in the case of the ones coming to Delhi, but certainly applies towards life too. Failing of a proper distinction between things, makes one deviate from the right path and people who falls trap to it, residing in the capital would again curse the place for it.
India is a country of diverse culture, tradition, language, lifestyle etc. The main reason behind the tension that breeds among people abroad is communication gap, and this perfect pretext applies here too. Due to lack of interaction a feeling of isolation erupts among students, which further gives rise to more problems. Each person brings with him/her numerous different things both good and bad. To remain in harmony, ignoring the bad stuff, one must appreciate each other’s culture and try to learn from it.
No unauthorized publication or use of any content allowed without prior permission | All rights reserved by the author | Feel free to Share via buttons displayed on the left side
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