Indian by Choice

By Amit Dasgupta

Indian by Choice tackles the complex theme of identity; it is a journey of self-discovery through the myriad human relationships that help us see things in perspective and in context.
Written in the form of a graphic novel, it tells the story of Mandy, a second generation Indian, born and brought up in Chicago. He is as American as they come-hot dogs, French Fries, baseball and the love of all things American, especially blonde. He is, of course, no different from his clones who are in several other parts of the world-England and Australia, the Netherlands and Canada. They blend with their surroundings by assimilating the culture of their adopted home and denying their Indian roots and heritage. In the case of the hero of our book, he has even changed his name from Mandeep to Mandy!
He is required, under duress, to travel to India for a family wedding and despite his fears and his doubts, his distaste and his abhorrence of 'all things Indian', he finds himself drawn into a world that he was familiar with only through his relationship with his parents and sister. These had to do with strong and pervasive family ties and bonding, friendships that were open and warm-hearted. All this appeared to be so 'normal and natural' in India. Through candid discussions, he confronts his fears and ignorance about India. When it is time for him to leave, he finds that there is much about India he simply did not know and a great deal he would like to know more. He increasingly reconciles with his suppressed identity. He willingly makes the choice of not denying his Indian roots. He is an Indian by choice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wisdom Tree Publishers
• Release date: Feb 2, 2011
• ISBN: 9788183282161

Amit Dasgupta

Amit Dasgupta is an Indian diplomat, who has served in various capacities in Cairo, Brussels, Kathmandu, Berlin and New Delhi. His present assignment is in Sydney.

Book preview

Indian by Choice

Text © Amit Dasgupta 2009

Art © Wisdom Tree

Photographs – Title page - Ranjit Oberoi, Page 42, 43 - Dinodia Photo Library pvt. ltd.

First published 2009

Reprinted 2009, 2010

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or

transmitted in any form or by any means — electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or

otherwise — without the prior permission of the author and the publisher.

ISBN HB 978-81-8328-136-2

PB 978-81-8328-140-9

Published by

Wisdom Tree,

4779/23, Ansari Road,

Darya Ganj, New Delhi-2

Ph.: 23247966/67/68

[e-mail]

Printed in India at Print Perfect

Indian

by Choice

Amit Dasgupta

art : Neelabh

wisdom

tree

Mandy is a second generation Indian, born and brought up in Chicago.

He is as American as they come — hot dogs, French fries, baseball and

the love of all things American, especially blonde. He is, of course, no

different from his clones who are in several other parts of the world

— England and Australia, the Netherlands and Canada. They blend with

their surroundings by assimilating the culture of their adopted home and

denying their Indian roots and heritage. In the case of the hero of our book, he

has even changed his name from Mandeep to Mandy!

The story begins with a wedding in the family back home in India. Weddings, in

India, are a major event for all family members — both near and distant — to

get together. Mandy's parents are, unfortunately, unable to go to India as

Mandy's mum has just had an accident. So the mantle falls on Mandy, who

naturally hates the thought of visiting India. But he has little choice in the

matter and reluctantly boards the flight with an excursion ticket, which he

ensures will get him back to Chicago in four weeks time. Now, read on.....

Flight AIA34, from O‛hare International Airport, Chicago to

New Delhi…

Excuse me ji, Do

you have a Hindi

newspaper?

vroom…vroom!!

Suniye Madamji?

Behenji, khane

mein kya hai?

O gosh! Silence

must be alien to                                                                           Bilkulji!

Indians...                                                                           Indians highly talkative types.

Always wanting attention.

Starting from childhood...

ji - a sign of respect; Suniye - listen; Behenji - sister; khane mein kya hai? - what food are you serving today?; Bilkulji - for sure                                          1

Whenever you see, Mummy this and Mummy that. My family same thing.

I am toh fed up. But, what I am to do. Lady wife is always telling,

Arrey they are bachhas, no? All life bachhas!

But Indians are quite                           Yes, yes, but this is Indian Air and it is going

different in Chicago,                                                                           Haath

to Bharat Mata. Bus. What to say. Here we are

aren‛t they? They behave                                                                           milao

khulla khulla. We are Indians. Amricanism is for

so American.                                                                           partner!

Chicago immigration when we return!

Hi, I am Mandy

and I live in                                                                   Mandy? Arrey dost,

Chicago.                                                                     Mandeep kaho na,

ya Maninder. What is

this Mandy nonsense?

2                         bachhas - kids; Bharat Mata - Mother India; khulla khullla - open about things; Haath milao partner - shake hands; kaho - say

Sometime later, anxiety gives in to fatigue...

Attention please…ladies and

gentlemen.

We are getting ready to land at the Indira Gandhi International Airport; please keep your

seat belts fastened. The current temperature in New Delhi is eight degrees Centigrade

and the local time is 3.45 am. We enjoyed having you on board and look forward to

welcoming you again. Namaste.

3

Purpose of visit?                          Holiday. Family wedding...

The visa says six months. I plan

to get out in four weeks.

How long do you plan to stay?

Mandy? What kind of name is that? Short

form for Maninder or Mandeep?

I like Mandeep and Maninder. It‛s Mandy

I don‛t understand. But that is your

problem. Have a nice stay, Mandy. Yawn...

It‛s MANDY...

and it is not a short

form of anything.

It‛s there in the

passport. You don‛t

like my name,

or what?

4

After the long process of immigration check and baggage claim...

Oye Mandy...here!!

Hey!!

So many of you...

hi Gurinder!!

O paji

gale lag yaar!

Welcome to

India bhai.

Oye - hi; O paji - brother; gale lag yaar - give me a hug buddy; bhai - brother                                                          5

We‛ll be home soon. A hot cup of tea is

what I need. You must be tired after

the long flight.

Hmm...too many people. It‛s like flies                                Not as many

swarming all over the place. Stifling.                                as in Delhi.          And in

Uncle! Uncle, how                             America?

many people are

there in Chicago?

You get used to it.

When I see an empty

street, I wonder

where everyone is!                                   A little more than

in Delhi but the US

is a big country.

Even India is a very

big country, Uncle.

When we went to

Kanyakumari, it

took sooooo long to

get there!!

6

Uncle aa gaye...

Uncle aa gaye!!

Listen ji,

Mandeep beta has come.

aa gaye - has come; beta - son                                                      7