The place where we are born and the family we are born into form a very integral part of our identity. For example, I was born into a Bengali family in Kolkata. Hence, everything about me is Bengali – from the way I talk and the dishes I prefer to eat. However, things become interesting when you are born into a family that originally belongs to a place different from where you are born. For example, a Bengali born in Tamil Nadu.
In cases such as this, there is a beautiful mix of cultures and there isn’t a fixed definition of the person’s identity. Instead, their identity is multifold and it’s best to not put a label altogether.
I say this because Google’s former MD, Parminder Singh, took to Twitter to reveal that his son was born into a Punjabi family in Bangalore and when he was 9 years old, he was asked whether he was from North or South India, he would reply, he’s “Nouth Indian”. Parminder hoped that his kid keeps on defying labels like he did when he was younger.
My son, born to a Punjabi family in Bangalore, was 9 when he was asked, “Are you a North or South Indian”. He replied, “I think I’m a NOUTH Indian!” Kids defy labels we try to give them. He turns 20 today. Hope he keeps defying labels.
— Parminder Singh (@parrysingh) December 14, 2022
I’m glad so many of you identified with this message. The best gift we give to our children is freedom from existing biases and ability to think independently. Khalil Gibran says this beautifully: pic.twitter.com/SG5duAqDX2
— Parminder Singh (@parrysingh) December 15, 2022
Similarly, several other people shared stories of themselves, their kids and their partners who defied putting labels on their identities. The stories are fascinating and you’ll realize what beauty there is in diversity. Have a look:
My husband’s family is Nouth Indian (Sindhi born and raised in Bangalore and I am Sorth Indian (Tamilian born and raised in Mumbai). What does that make our kid?
My (now adult) son gets really upset when asked about identity.— Veena Srinivasan (@veenas_water) December 16, 2022
‘Aap Bihari nahi lagte’
We bihari face this almost every day in Delhi and in other parts of the country.
— Learning Investor (@nitinkumar111) December 15, 2022
Girl from a Palakkad Tamil fam raised in Delhi. Love Chole Bhature, Paranthe with Achar and speak a Hinglitam- Hindi,Tamil&eng. Who am I? A billion dollar question. But I’m loving it
— Veena Mani (@veenaMani2) December 15, 2022
Good job. I grew up in the opposite configuration (in North India South Indian parents) so I can relate to him.
I have learned a new term called liminal identity that applies to people like your son and me.
He was much cleverer than I was at 9.— Ajay Divakaran (@ajaydiv) December 15, 2022
Just like when people ask me of my ethnicity, I tell them I am a PUNGALI= PUNJABI +BENGALI.🙄
— K G (@kuhughosh) December 15, 2022
Happy Birthday 💐🎂 – reminds me of my son who defied standard labels too and told his school teacher that he is a ‘South Punjabi’ 😊, when asked the same question – keep going boys 👏🏻🙌🏻💖
— Monica Ahuja Rao (@monica_ar7) December 15, 2022
I m born and brought up in Punjab and have Tam friends who can speak Hindi more fluently than Punjabi friends. And Bihari friends who can write and read Tamil better than Tam friends.
Nouth , Sorth is a brilliant way to express this.— Ashish Tiwari (@ashish07tiwari) December 15, 2022
Do you have a story like this to share?