Bhubaneswar did 2 protests yesterday. Some 100 people showed up. But that is not the only reason why I never disclose I am an Odia. Here are a few more reasons why I think being an odia is shameful:
1. Not a single progressive social movement after independence. Once a leader in dowry deaths, the trend slowed down only after law was implemented strictly.
2. The tribals are from another universe. Have you ever heard a single Odia raise issues of the tribals, deforestation and mining led disasters in the state? Because tribals dont exist. They have to fight their own battles. Odias won’t stoop.
3. As a society, it has to be the most regressive in India today. Not a single dalit uprising in that state. Everyone will tell you dalits are happpy and there is no oppression.We all know the story.
4. Youth and politics and role of changemakers. Lesser said the better. The youth politics is non-existent beyond local hooliganilism. They were never fought on ideas as Odia youth has no ideas. As per literary and social changemakers, show me one and i promise a donation.
5. Oppressive social customts. Every marriage and function is about dava nava – len den. I remember a big fat diary was maintained at every function to record who gave how much. If you hear of a dowry less Odia marriage, let me know. It will be on national news.
6. Odia pua – The Odia son is a demigod that never grows and never crawls out of the mother’s lap. In fact, one recent report said odisha leads in domestic violence. Everything that they show in saas-bahu serials is true for an Odia family. The son is a constant spineless overgrowth in every story.
7. There is no higher goal, no ideology, no instict other than to survive. Get a job and show your parents that you have made money. Life over. That is the sum total of Odia ethos.
8. Some random Odia will come on this post and ask me what I have done. Because to raise questions in Odia society is to become the enemy. But Odias can’t fight, it will become a catfight. I don’t do those.
