By Mayank Pratap
I take myself as a blessed soul,
having travelled across billions of galaxies,
and making way through trillions of stars,
only to land and take up my human form on Earth,
as an Indian!
Being called Indian, is nothing but allowing the speaker to unleash a lot many emotions within my veins!
Emotions, which are democratic and yet so less talked about.
When you call me an Indian,
I silently take pride on my Indian parents who,
filled me with the most Indian vibe and blood.
I, as an Indian, am raised to shower respect and love!
When you call me an Indian,
Somewhere between the foul play of THE RIGHTS AND THE WRONGS,
I recite a prayer, read a Kalma, chant a Mantra,
or whisper a Dua.
And, I water my humanity,
not the tolerance.
When you call me an Indian,
I also kneel down in disgust,
for I, as an Indian man, am forcibly fed with stereotypes.
And I, wholeheartedly, am judged on the ones I refused to take down my throat.
When you call me an Indian,
My skinny chest gets puffed up with pride!
I am taught in morals and,
I learn through practicing.
I am a middle-class Indian.
I see how happiness is simpler and easier and,
experience how less is more!
When you call me an Indian,
Besides the pride, and blood and the disgust,
I love being called an Indian.
Among all the names I have ever been called,
beautiful, brave and Indian,
are my favourite adjectives of them all!
I am an Indian.
I might be caged at places,
Yet I spread my wings.
I might be made to shut my mouth,
Yet I shout out loud through my pen.
Loud enough to crown my name with "Indian".
And that's, the most beautiful Indian thing about me.
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This poem won in Instagram Weekly Contest held by @delhipoetryslam on the theme 'Indianess'
Nice 👌👌 brother
Brilliant, Mayank!!
Outstanding. …….keep it up
Beautifully expressed! ❤
Fabulous and true souful words mayank keep it up 😍🌈💖
I love being called an Indian ❤.
Very Nicely written Mayank 😘❤😘.
Great work and a very different take on the topic! Keep it up 🤗
Loved your expression. Keep writing Dost
Loved your expression. Keep writing Dost
Great job brother!
Fabulous!
😍it’s amazing .. Proud of u❤❤as always
Loved it…..
Loved it…..
Beautifully written ❤️
Lovely!
Well expressed…
Proud of you 😍
Amazing Writing n U Beautifully told about India… Keep it Up… 👍👍👍
Beautiful, brave and Indian. Cheers!🍻
You’re doing a great job!
Awsm ….. Proud of you ….. God bless keep it up
You Amaze me lil boy…
Loved it.. Keep it up… ❤️❤️
So proud of you!!😘🌸
I liked it..❤️
Love it! ❤
Beautiful 💗
😊🧡⚪💚
Liked it……. ☺
Superrrrr prouddddd…loved it🥰💯
Loved it! 🌸🌸
I liked it.
So proud of you bhai❤
Proud proud ♥️
Mere Sher💜
Brilliantly written ♥️