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You seem to be in a reflective mode, observed my husband looking
up from the newspaper he was reading. You mean to say
reflective” mood”? No wonder you slip into your mobile jargon,
keeping the tiny device glued to your ear all the time , I
complained.
Well, there is a difference between a mobile and you, he
teased.
How dare you compare me with that inanimate nuisance? I shot
back.
Don’t be so touché, dear. I only wanted to say I can keep my
mobile in a silent mode as long as I wish but can’t do the same
with…
I know what you want to say and it is
probably the 100th. time you said it, I accused.
O.K. Tell me what is occupying your thoughts
, is it something serious where you need my help? He offered
magnanimously trying to change the subject.
Well, it is indeed something serious and I
don’t think you can help me, even if you wish to, I said.
Again typical of your gender, always
underestimating men and their capacity to solve any kind of
problem, he boasted .
I appreciate your confidence and the spirit,
but I am afraid there are some problems which appear to have no
solutions, I lamented.
It is all in the mind and women have a closed
mind for all I know. You cannot solve problems if you have a one
track mind, he reiterated.
Now, you seem to be passing unwarranted
judgements , I rued.
You haven’t still told me what’s bothering
you, he said.
Well, it has something to do with what I read
in the newspaper recently, I informed.
You mean the break ins that have been on the
increase ? Robbers making away with jewellery and cash amounting
to lakhs ? He asked.
Not exactly. I was thinking of something
else, I said .
Why don’t you say what it is instead of
beating about the bush? He asked sounding impatient.
I am just wondering whether unity in
diversity is possible in the present state of affairs , I said.
Which affairs are you referring to ?
cultural, social or economic? He asked getting interested.
All of them as they are intermingled with one
another. .In fact it concerns you and me as well, I said.
Now you appear crazy. How on earth can it
concern you and me? He looked at me as though I was talking
through my hat.
Unity in diversity begins at the micro level,
don’t you think so ? I said.
Noticing his expression of bewilderment I
decided to explain things.
Let me begin at the beginning .Take our own
case for instance. We hail from two corners of the country which
not only differ in language and culture but the parties which
are in power as well. Marriage united us and for economic
reasons we chose to move out of our states of origin to an
altogether different state which means there was no “domicile
divide” of any kind. Now do you understand what I meant by unity
in diversity at the micro level? I said feeling proud that I was
able to put things in the right perspective.
A very good analysis of course and your logic
sounds quite convincing . But I wonder who are the ultimate
beneficiaries in this whole exercise of ours? He quipped.
Everyone ,you, me and the state , I
emphasized .
What makes you think so? He asked raising his
eyebrow.
The organizations we work for have immensely
benefited from our skill and expertise in our respective fields
which in turn have contributed to the economy of the state and
ultimately resulted in boosting the economy of our country ! Am
I right ? I said .
You are but you have forgotten a very
important factor that is vital for achieving your dream, he
said.
What is that? I asked puzzled.
The political will, he whispered.
Perhaps it would be right to say “unity in
adversity” I quipped
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