In the late sixties, a film by the name “If it’s Tuesday, this must be Belgium” was released and proved to be successful at the box office. It was a romantic comedy film, featuring a group of tourists taken on a whirlwind tour of Europe in a travel coach. It was later classified as a ‘Vintage Classic Film’. I saw it then and enjoyed very much.
That Country is now in the news, for different reason. The news that Belgium, a small nation could split due to incompatibility between Flanders (Dutch Speaking) living in the north region of that country and Walloons (French Speaking) living in the south region, makes a sad reading. The Flemish separatists want to slice the country into two independent nations - Dutch-speaking Flanders in the north, and in the south French speaking Wallonia.
Belgium is one of the founding members of the European Union. Brussels, its capital has both Dutch and French speaking citizens. It hosts headquarters of European Union, and NATO. The move to form a European union was excellent in concept despite cultural diversity that existed among the nations in Europe. In the wake of formation and advocating a strong European union to counter the Power of USA in a globalized world, where people and goods are moving to places offering scope for development, the lifestyle is slowly inching towards similarity. This being so, I am sure, many of its citizens have visited the neighbouring nations, and ought to be aware of the diverse culture that exists within the union, and in that continent. I have been reading articles that have appeared in the newspapers on this topic of breaking, and the reasons put forth by the separatists. The Walloons in the south are being subsidized economically more than the prosperous Flemings in the north; each espousing the preservation of their own culture and language. The feeling is natural, but hatred of the other is bad.
I have not visited Europe, and so not aware of its diverse culture and daily life. Yet, I do feel many of them speak more than one language, and quite familiar with living habits of other nations beside their own. Their desire is to become prosperous, and enjoy freedom. So be it. Then why think of getting split?
I, in all my naivety think the Westerners are more reasonable and rationale in their outlook to life. I am wrong. I sincerely hope the Kingdom Of Belgium does not break, and their thought of split is only a temporary mental aberration.
That mental aberration is ever present in the political leaders of India too. They raise weird issues; harp on it in the name of fulfilling people’s desire. But, of late, here too demands are being raised to balkanize states further for administrative convenience!
We the people in India, take pride in living in diversity, which is in abundance. There is so much of variety of life here. Traveling across India by train, one comes to see the diversity that exists. People speak freely in a language that is understandable.
Thinking of the breaking-up idea of those in Belgium; diversity in the way of living; train travel; compatibility, I am reminded of the story “Intrigue Express” written by Irving Wallace in his book- The Sunday Gentleman. The Train “Orient Express” running between Paris and Istanbul was forced to halt due to blinding snowstorm during a winter night of 1930. It had passengers representing a dozen nationalities, and might become irritable, troublesome, and even dangerous, due to prolonged halt. Let me reproduce a Para verbatim from that story:
A rule was made, promptly announced, and as far as possible, strictly enforced. Passengers must not discuss politics with each other. They might discuss, nostalgically, their homes, friends, experiences, they might discuss art, literature, sex, sports, but absolutely no politics. This was a sage rule that Orient Express personnel, themselves representing seven nationalities, observed on their hectic trips three times weekly between Paris and Istanbul, and it had prevented friction on the run for almost a half century.
So then, now and for ever, it is politics and the politicians who play this game and create friction. They set the trend for the public, ever so gullible as a group, to take the path of separatism. Their policies in the process of implementation often set trends of living in the society. This is evident as we see the economic disparity widen between the haves and have nots.
Every country seems to be grappling with problems that are being created, off and on by the rulers. Are we to think that this is also one kind of diversity?
It would be in the interest of all that Belgians stop thinking of breaking, set a trend and go about making the European Union strong.
Let the world hear “If it’s strengthening, it must be Belgium”.
Tailpiece
Common-sense is the growth of all countries. - A proverb.
No comments:
Post a Comment