Caste.

Does it exist or not?This question troubles the highly educated and intellectuals .Whilst one set crows that it is very much part and parcel of this ancient civilisation another set painstakingly scans all ancient scriptures to prove that caste had no real sanction in our ancient society.

I was relieved that I was born a Brahmin since I was under the impression that it was the top most caste ---the creme -la -da- creme.And that every body else were beneath me .

When I studied in schools and colleges in various states and finally settled down here , I realised that I was sadly or rather happily mistaken at the superiority of my caste. Because each and every one I moved with, were all equally proud of their respective castes!I was no exception and in their eyes. I was no big deal. To each of them their own caste was exceptional and unique!

Is caste evil?Does it divide society in tight segments wary of each other?It does but I wont call it evil.

I t is more or less like a social security buffer. The richer in a caste would be more prone to alleviate the miseries of the poor in their own castes.Something like the huge sprawling banyan tree called joint family that existed decades ago which ensured the basic amenities to all its members.This is from a purely social perspective.

Why bother so much about caste schisms? When India is under from foreign invaders don't we all rally as one to fight and drive them away?Caste then flies away from the window.

The fact is ,caste exists whether one likes it or not.It is nothing to be ashamed off nor to be proud off.To fight it is an exercise in futility. A waste of energy.Its psychological hold on Indians will not be whittled down so easily . If at all it does , it is surely going to take a lot of time to do so,definetly not in my lifetime . Of course I don't mind being proved, wrong .