I’ve gotten some very positive comments (thank you Pam, Janice and Shreya) on my blog. But today was the first time I had a HECKLER!

It was clearly someone from India who had read ,”Yes, I’m American, but don’t hate me”, and told me that he didn’t understand my “nagst“. How many years of British colonization did India have and this is the English that surfaces? Umm…perhaps you meant “angst” sir? I’m not being sarcastic, of course not. That would be too “American”.

Writers who write for inspiration can never avert controversy. In Edwidge Danticat’s Brother I’m Dying, Danticat writes about how her uncle was unfairly treated in this country simply because he is Haitian. She writes that people of other ethnic backgrounds are treated differently and given unfair advantages. I’m sure her sentiments and writing have stirred up controversy. Arundhati Roy is another writer who constantly defies all rules (read War Talk).

In any case, thank you Heckler. You don’t necessarily have to agree with my comments and writing, but it’s not necessary to tell me that I should not come back to India. India is the largest democracy in the world which entitles me to visit as often as possible. Whenever, wherever. You don’t own the country. As far as I know, I have never written anything negative about India, I love it, how could I not? But the reason why I thank you Heckler is because I now know that my writing sparks emotions, and that’s what I aim to do.