''Wishing for the Day, When Names Won’t Matter, Only Humanity Will"

My name is ‘sanjeev’ and I’m very much happy with this much of name. But people hardly get satisfied with this one-word name, they want MORE. I still remember my childhood days when I used to tell my name as ‘sanjeev’ in reply to the very introductory question ‘What’s your Name’ to the people, they used to ask….आगे? .....Then I used to say ‘Kumar’ means 'sanjeev kumar'…..But their curiosity was not quenched with this much of my reply. They again used to ask ….. आगे?

At that time, I was really not knowing what they actually want to listen from me.

After so many decades from those days, the things have hardly changed very much. Even today, whenever I tell my name to the people as ‘’sanjeev’ or even ‘sanjeev kumar’ most of the people ask the same question from me…. आगे?

So, in nutshell, it’s the progress we the Indian have made in so many decades. We’re still stuck in this parochial thinking and are unable to rise above caste, creed, religion, region, etc.

India, a land celebrated for its diversity, continues to grapple with internal divisions rooted in casteism and regionalism. These social constructs, though historically entrenched, stand in stark contrast to the vision of unity and equality enshrined in our Constitution. Despite over seven decades of independence, caste and regional biases persist, often dictating social interaction, political choices, and economic opportunities.

Casteism, in particular, remains a powerful force. While legal measures have been introduced to eliminate caste-based discrimination, societal attitudes have not evolved at the same pace. Caste identity still influences marriage, employment, and education, particularly in rural areas. The rise of caste-based politics has further entrenched these divides, reducing citizens to vote banks rather than individuals with aspirations.

Similarly, regionalism fosters division by encouraging parochial thinking. Language, local pride, and competition for resources often turn into sources of hostility, leading to movements that prioritize regional identity over national unity. This is weakening the collective fabric of our nation.

The path forward lies in education, social reform, and conscious civic engagement. We the Indians must be encouraged to question outdated social norms and embrace a more inclusive mindset.

India’s strength lies in its unity through diversity. We can truly progress as a modern, inclusive society only when we reject caste, creed and regional prejudices. The question is not just when we will come out of such narrow thinking, but how soon we are ready to change — as individuals, as communities, and as a nation.

At last, for those who are in the habit of asking the same monotonous question ’आगे?’ I have tried to re-frame & re-write the famous dialoged of the Film ‘’Jindagi Na Milegi Dowara’’ in the context of my article, which is given as under:

दिल में अपने विविधता के रंग लिए चल रहे हो

तो ज़िंदा हो तुम !

नज़र में समाज के हर चेहरे की अहमियत लिए चल रहे हो

तो ज़िंदा हो तुम !

हवा के झोंके की तरह सबको समान शीतलता दे रहे हो

तो ज़िंदा हो तुम !

हर शख़्स को बिना किसी फ़र्क के जस्ट एक ह्यूमन की तरह देख रहे हो 

तो ज़िंदा हो तुम !

जाति, धर्म, लिंग, इत्यादि यदि तुम्हे प्रभावित नहीं कर पाती 

तो ज़िंदा हो तुम !

जो अपनी आँखों में सहानुभूति से भरी हैरानियाँ लिए चल रहे हो

तो ज़िंदा हो तुम !

यदि किसी की दर्द को महशुश कर पा रहे हो

तो जिंदा हो तुम !

In today’s rapidly evolving world, the principles of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) have emerged as pillars of a just and progressive society. These three interconnected values are essential for creating spaces—be it in schools, workplaces, or communities—so that everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered.

No body is perfect in this world and so am I. However, there are a few things which I say with conviction that yes, I do this or I don’t do this. And I feel happy to say with full conviction that I’ve never distinguished or judged a person on religion, caste, creed, or regionalism. In fact, such things never come in my mind while interacting with people and I really feel proud that such petty things have never mattered for me.

So, it’s my humble request to the people that the next time when you meet me and ask my name, please don’t ask….आगे?   

Thank you All !

Regards

sanjeev