Prem Darbar likes his job. He believes that while it may not afford him a luxurious lifestyle, it allows him to pass by his days in what many perceive to be a difficult city to live in--Mumbai. He disagrees with the rest though. He insists that while, unlike his hometown, the city pushes past in a great rush, it is still welcoming. And the thought of being surrounded by a crowd of people at all times is in fact a comforting thought, a consistent reminder that there are always people to fall back on. When asked about how it feels to be the only 'distinctive looking watchman' of a residential building in Bandra, he says he doesn’t mind. “The kids come along, say something like ‘oooh shaabji’, but it’s all in jest. They call me uncle, and they are never rude.” This sets the tone for my journey to uncover whether Mumbai is truly a respite for India's North-Eastern community that has long since adapted to being treated like outsiders in other parts of the mainland.
Image Credit: Wearabout (Manou)
I. Constructing False Identities
“No North Eastern student in a mainland metropolitan city would be surprised by this sheer ignorance. It has become a part of their lives and an accepted fact that they do not belong here. Nor has the mainland made them feel like they’re part of this country. Hundreds of students come every year from the North East to seek admission in Delhi University. The joy of seeking admission is often cut short by the difficulties faced in the capital. Racial discrimination, language barriers, sexual harassment and trouble finding accommodation are only some of the numerous problems.”
Students At A Rally Post Nido Taniam's Death. Image Credit- Reuters
II. The Mumbai Bubble
“This is actually the only city where I haven't seen or faced any form of racial discrimination at all.”
“Mumbai is nowhere close to what you hear about in comparison to the hostility in Delhi. I’ve been here since three years and I love this place, in all aspects. Sure, boys do hit on girls a little extra, but other than that, I have never experienced any regional drama.”
III. Challenging Stereotypes
“I love this city. It has given me freedom, exposure, and most importantly, my true calling. But the men, not all of them, but the crude, uneducated ones are under this notion that north eastern women like me, make for a meek target. This one particular time, when I was returning back home, late from a wedding assignment, I had a few men follow me, asking me insulting questions like what my rate was. Of course, at that same moment, an autowaala came and whisked me away. That’s exactly how this city works. It gives you the good and the bad, but the good is so nice, you cannot help feel overwhelmed. Would I ever leave this city? Probably not. The level of acceptance here is higher than anywhere else. I will probably have a parlour of my own, in an area not surrounded by men of such low caliber,”
“I never give out vibes that would allow people to make such unguarded assumptions about me. I steer clear of all that, and it is important how we perceive things that really affect us. People need to accept that the North East is a part of the country, and we are part of the country’s identity. I have never faced any discrimination and honestly, people who do discriminate are ones that have stooped too low.”
North Eastern People At A Mumbai Railway Station. Image Credit: Hindustan Times
IV. Fighting Back Has Never Been This Easy
“I was taught by my mother long ago how to tackle it if someone were to make fun of me. While traveling in trains, young boys and uncles often tease me by mimicking the Chinese language. What I in turn do, is let them have their share of fun, and after a point, I just start talking to them in Marathi. They don’t know what to do! They shut up immediately. But, it has never crossed a line. Even my friends make a little fun of me, but we do that with others too so it’s alright.”
“I was born here, and so, of course I feel like a part of the nation. People around me have accepted the fact, and for people who choose not to, that's their bridge to be crossed”--