The demand for state autonomy is rising its ugly head once again in India. It is a distant cousin of separatism and if this demand is conceded, it could gradually lead to disintegration of a country whose beauty lies in the concept of unity in diversity. In this connection, it is worth mentioning here that whenever interstate disputes crop up, the states concerned behave as if they are independent countries and often it results in a mini-war-like situation. What the country, (Any country for that matter) needs is not independent autonomous states but interdependent states under the control of a strong centre. Many Indian states are in the grip of regional and linguistic fanatics who mislead the youngsters to such an extent that they shed their Indianness with ease for the sake of their language or state. If the country is to be saved from this dangerous trend, the national parties must sink their difference and launch a compaigns to make the youngsters realise that their strength lies in the unity of the country; and each language and region is a part of this nation and no one is inferior or superior.
Author: P U Krishnan
First things first. I am one of those retired chaps who are young at heart. I watch cricket matches and jump for joy when Tendulkar scores yet another century. I read newspapers and books too, though I am not crazy about them. I think I have a mind free from hatred and I owe it to the wonders of nature and music. I scribble something now and then and call myself a writer! Though I have settled in Ooty, a lovely hill station in Tamil Nadu—I must emphasize the fact that I was born and brought up in Tellicherry in North Kerala and studied in the good old Government Brennen College. Of and on, my mind goes back to my ancestral house at Tiruvangad in Tellicherry in front of an ancient Sri Ram temple. I am indebted to this wonderful place which inculcated in me a love for cricket and literature. But all said and done, I am an Indian first. View all posts by P U Krishnan