Who am I?

I was fortunate to travel to many parts of the world. I am Indian by birth. I live some where in Eurpoe. I hold EU passport. I also hold OCI card - Overseas Citizen of India. I have been given NRI (Non Resident Indian) status Government of India. I was born in North Andhra. I studied in Telengana schools and Andhra colleges. My father is from central Andhra. For some years, I lived in Madras - called Chennai now. I also lived in Bangalore for many years now called Bangalooru. I lived in Hyderabad for about a decade. I also lived in Maharastra and Kerala. I also travelled widely all over India - Punjab to Kerala. My roots are from Andhra Pradesh.

I also went to USA many times, travelled to many European countries and visited excotic cities. I travelled in Middle East, Africa, Australia and South East Asia.

My mother always reminds me when ever I visit India - "Janani Janmabhoomi". I joking reply "I am living on earth only"

Last year we went to an East European Country. Many people who talked to us there asked the first question - are you Indians? In the country where I live now - I am identified as Indian. Every visit to any country on the earth - we could not identify ourselves as Europeans. We look like Indians.

Who am I? I travel with a EU passport, I look like Indian, I speak Telugu at home. This is the difficult question I struggle to find an answer.

I always feel proud when someone identifies me as Indian at work or outside. The word Indian stimulates my mind and gives instant energy. Which ever country we go, the first thing we do is to find an Indian restraurant - let it be Tandoori or Udipi - may it be La Chapplle in Paris or Devon Street in Chicago or East Ham in London.

I live in this part of the world, always looking for the small Indian happiness.

I visit India once or twice a year. The flight to India reminds that I am a "Madrasi". Less fluent in Hindi I find it hard to talk to many on the flight. The same very people who speak English on the European soil suddenly start speaking Gujerati, Tamil or Bengali. On the flight to India, I am not an Indian any more - I am a Telugu, may be!

I land in Hyderabad airport. I am now identified with Andhra, Telangana or Rayalaseema. The accent is quick to identify my region. I no longer look for Indian or Telugu. I am Andhrawala!. I change my accent to my best ability where I am - like Tirupati, Vizag or Hyderbad.

Unlike in west - in AP surnames have powerful identity. They almost tell your caste. I am cautious in telling my last name. Now my Indian-ness is further narrowed by my Religion (if you are in Hyderabad old city) or caste.

I am not anymore an Indian anymore?

Being amongst "my people" with narrow identity makes me more uncomfortable! I no longer appreciate the Indianess - I want Andhra Hotel, Telugu movies, Telugu TV and so on

Punjabi is different to Bengali. I may be less comfortable in Calcutta (now called Kolkata) than Chicago!

Who am I? Telugu or Reddy or Andhrawala or Hyderabadi or Madrasi.... Hindu...? Am I looking up or down? Which identity is good or correct?

I am Indian.

I think I got the answer to my question - that make me proud always.