Karnataka is in the news. It’s a bit sad to see our countrymen against each other. But the birth lottery ain’t in our hands so am just hoping that this one doesn’t lead to long-term animosity between people of different states irrespective of who is travelling where.

I thought of zooming out as a Gujju staying in Bengaluru for the last 2 years:

I was born and raised in Surat. Papa didn’t want to be a farmer so he migrated from Saurashtra at the age of 14.

The city is now home to 80L+ people. And you can find similar stories across.
There are way too many Kathiyawadi (people from Saurashtra), Marwari (from Rajasthan), Punjabi, Sindhi, Marathi, Oodiya, UPites ++ people in the city. I hardly know people who are hard-core Surtis, people who have been there for generations.

Most of the above people made their fortune (and continue to make) with the boom in Diamond, Textiles, Real Estate, IT, E-Com and so on. The city somehow continues to be the fastest growing one not just in India but in the world.

Btw people do feel discrimination there as well. The most common is that many of the societies do not allow people from other communities.
But when it comes to business, at least I haven’t seen hatred for people from other states. (I do wish the working conditions were better but that’s a different topic)

As I was part of the textiles biz for 2 years, with 100% confidence I can say that, I am super grateful to people from other states. The value chain will break for sure if there is any major friction.
Yes, you can argue that everyone decided ‘Hindi’ as a medium to communicate and I will not be able to counter as well.

But I have seen my Gujju school friends who don’t speak fluent English going to China, Europe, and Africa for business and getting things done. The language didn’t become a barrier.

The need to earn a decent livelihood is common across the world.
So, I do wonder, if the situation and narrative would have been different here in Karnataka if it was “small businesses” and not “jobs” at stake. Maybe?

— — —

While travelling, every time I see a Gujju parent talking to their kids in English and taking pride that their children don’t know Gujarati, I try really hard not to judge!

Yes, I do wish we could learn the love for our own language from all 4 southern states.

Tell me you didn’t find it cute when Radhika Merchant said “Wow. Jai Shree Krishna. Ek dum Krishna lage chhe. Ek joie.. be.. tran..” :)