The Surname Syndrome

By

To whomsoever it may not concern,
To be born or born again!  Especially when your surname comes to the most commonly heard “The D’Souza’s”. Sounds we have achieved the highest runs in the test cricket series ever. The best part is the way social networking works and the Christian get-togethers. The most common thing is the surname that I’m added as a friend or I belong to Mangalore or some other common thread. Every occasion I discover a new country cousin of mine-“Are you a D’Souza too?”, “Are you a Mangy D’Souza?” ( that means belonging to Mangalore), and then some place in native which I have never even heard of.  A constant battle between cuisines-Mangy vs. Goan, and a smirk on the face on how can one have coconut put in all their dishes! And if I even tell them “I’m from Gujarat, they call me a “Gujju by default”. It’s terrible to know people are more bothered about your roots, than about your boots…i.e. they ask me from where I am, rather than where I’m supposed to go.

Be it society, workplace, some kind of marriage proposals, admissions, we all have to fill in some criteria which I believe is essential. I think name, age, sex, and contact details would suffice. But caste, race, religion and sub communities matter the least. It’s my beliefs and the way I live does it all, I can’t be friends or related to you, just because we share the same surname, religion or some commonalities. It’s all about the “connect”. The chase continues…it’s not what I always what to do in life; it’s also how the things I’m meant for takes shape in life.

The demarcations man makes is utterly on baseless factors, that don’t mean much to me. How do these things really matter when it comes to knowing a person or even getting to know them. If I believe in one God, it’s my encounter with Him, not because I’m born a Catholic. It’s only because I have lived my life on faith that has made me move confidently, even when there’s no helping hand. Relations I have found were only for name sake, and they meet and greet you at weddings and celebrations, but rarely come to your aid. I believe in humanity, with no offence to any community of beliefs. I respect, but I rely on relations that are inspire by the experience we come across, rather than being a blind follower of people, communities who preach and lead not by example.

Suffering from the Surname Syndrome, and yes, this will be a challenge to make them realize I live in a society I’m born and can’t escape. I live with people, but I’m an independent thinker.
Signing off,
Ms. D’Souza ( I’m proud of being one), but you can call me “Candice” ( I love the name, it means “Queen” and gives me the “Royal freedom of being treated like one”)  ;)
P.S. I still have to find out the coconut curry mystery, and the mission is on!
ScentiMentalist - Sensory & Aromas Expert, Brand Strategist, Food & Wine Enthusiast!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Where’s thy neighbour?

By
Image
There was a time when we had open doors, Open hearts and open minds, To see the kids go to school and drenched in rain To see them play and shout and scream And teach them baby steps and see them grow We had no elevators, but slow steps to progress And came together to celebrate new beginnings And stand in times of distress and need It wasn’t just one community, one race But never-ending unfathomable grace Soon to realize we lost our near ones Till soon some birds flew from their nest How could aged parents rest Their worries knew no end We did what we could best There stood some silence in quest We will always wish and pray To hope someday a golden ray Cheerful hearts would one day unfold We had many but now few hands to hold Every time we watch and listen How the birds came to chirp and sing The rain, quake and stormy weather We stood together like birds of a feather To our surprise and solemn promise Change is evident and the only constant Drifted away but yet connected We tried ...
Read more

Positively Magnified

By
Image
Running life’s race Rushing in circle When disaster strikes Life moves at a slower pace All plans come to a standstill The very situation That has its twists and turns Sudden lives slaughter Death returns The contagious spread All over the globe A hidden mystery A story untold   Behind the masks Hides all our tasks Hands that carry that cure Hands that carry the coffin Hands that extend their help Hands that are cleansed and cared Losing lives and find one Leads to pathways Unexpected and withdrawn Something was discovered A ray of hope that shone And now the entire mayhem Is positively magnified!
Read more

The Upbringing

By
Image
It makes me think the worth of being brought up well. A parent’s duty, an orphan’s necessity. Even children born are deprived of it. Is it just material wealth, food, shelter, clothes-I wonder. I ponder over those giving birth to children, but have failed in their duties to give them the right kind of upbringing. Parents are over concerned about their children, and why not, after all their parents. Over protective and will do whatever they can, even yield to their stubbornness. But yet devoid of that love and understanding. I have come across my pals who have been forced to take up careers and marry the person of their parent’s choice. Parents have failed to understand that they try to fulfill their incomplete needs, which they haven’t been able to achieve in their life and now do so through their children. A child’s needs, aspirations, abilities and interests are killed. They suffer from depression and succumb to addictions where they seek love and attention. A child is broken lik...
Read more

Moronic Versus

By
Image
How ironic to be moronic! When morons rule us at our workplace, it’s tough to stick on. I call it pulling along, struggles and debates on proving one’s worth. To have courage and take a stand, take no blame for doing what is right. The true reason of unemployment is that well qualified, experienced and confident individuals are facing the challenge everyday. The financial security, responsibility and a status of reputed brand, pay package and profile is the concern. A large number of them churning out of B-Schools and attending interviews, stiff competition ahead and guaranteed placements through college isn’t enough. Stress control, deadlines, pressures and dominance make it hard for one to survive. All I need is to learn to deal. The rudeness, the demands and all that expectation of what I’m not is so irritating, that bogged down even before attempts stagnates thinking and growth. A negative sign of why people at executive levels are hard-working than the top bosses. Senior level ma...
Read more