My World!

My World!

At 70+

as I look back

over my time on earth

I try to see,

to understand,

my interactions

with those

my path crossed.

I have

worked closely

with people

from different regions,

different communities,

speaking different languages,

praying to different Gods,

praying differently.

I have

lived with them

as neighbours,

as co-students,

as colleagues...

in houses

in hostels

and late night offices.

Muslim neighbours

from early childhood

extremely respectful

of us, our differences,

our preferences.

Ensured we got served

no non-veg food.

Even by mistake.

And Christian neighbours

when we moved north.

Sikhs and Jains.

Parsees to boot.

The Hindus

were always there...

But I did not know

anyone's caste!

Linguistic identities

were more apparent

when parents

were in our midst.

I learnt a sprinkling

of