Social Studies

Mr.Nagaraj was returning home after work, when he saw a huge crowd on the road. At the center stage of the crowd two people were fighting animatedly, more by vocals and less using their limbs. Naga, as other onlookers did, parked his scooter in a hurry and rushed towards the scene. As he hurried, he started to process in his head about a very critical point –between the two, whom should he support? He noticed that both were guys and an option to support based on gender was immediately ruled out. As he reached near the spot he realized that the situation was caused by a small accident happened between those two guys- one a biker and other a cab driver. A very common scene in Bangalore traffic! The immediate reaction of Naga was to support the biker, because he himself owns a two wheeler and he very well knew how recklessly these cab drivers drive. But at the next instant he heard the biker speaking in Tamil and the cab driver shouting in Kannada. There were no more options in front of Mr.Naga. His parochialism aroused and in a fraction of second, he flipped. But that was not so long, when he noticed that the cab driver was a Muslim. Shiva Shiva! He was furious on himself thinking about the mistake he was about to make. As he now comprehended the situation in a clearer manner, he switched his support for his Tamil speaking biker friend. But somehow from the looks of this biker guy, Naga got a gut feeling that the Biker is not a Brahmin. But he had no other option, because he was at least a Hindu. But that was the point when the biker started shouting – “I am a communist” and “no one can touch me” and stuffs like that. Political alignment towards left was something Mr.Naga could never appreciate. He had no other choice but to support his mother tongue speaking Muslim friend, even though he was driving a cab. As he was about to talk against the Biker, all people suddenly dispersed. The problem was solved with Traffic police entering the scene and asking all to disperse. Naga had nothing more interesting there to watch. He took the scooter and went home.
At night Mr.Nagaraj taught his son “Social studies” and about how wonderful India is with “unity in diversity” being the best keyword to gain good marks in exams. No discrimination among people based on Sex, religion, caste, creed, language, politics or even the kind of vehicle you drive!