Let us, therefore, without further delay, chart the course of our des- tiny the right way and that is integration and eventual assimilation into mainstream America, Most of us are under the false impression that this step will lead to the loss of our identity and erosion of our culture. That is not true and in fact this step will enhance our recognition by others and add to our standing. We can learn this lesson from other ethnic groups who come to this country before us and are already assimilated into mainstream America, yet kept their respective cultures intact e.g. Jews, Germans, Irish and numerous others. AL UG Same time, it should be quite clear that when you gain something you give away something in return, because there is a price to be paid for each gain. Without this deal there cannot be advancement in any facet of human dealings.

No culture is ever static and is a living organism always changing by interaction with other cultures from time to time. All cultures develop in response to environment, geography and history and have been constantly changing with change of those factors. If you accept the change gracefully you are in harmony with yourself and your environment and benefit, but if you resist you are cither dragged pain fully along or left behind badly mauled. Beyond a certain point change itself is uncomfortable in Certain respects and no culture should ever be replaced totally by another. Eventually, collision of two Cultures will produce an acceptable medium. But that medium has to be produced by us as aggressively and deliberately in the field as avowed votaries of change from within and not as critics from a distance. We are, in fact adopting western culture imperceptivity right from the moment we set foot on to the soil of this great country. Our greetings, our eating habits, our comprehensive social behavior, our relationship with our parents and children are all constantly changing under the continuous and sustained impact of American, culture. Not only here, but in India itself our traditional Indian Culture is being diluted and eroded by the film industry of India, which is trying to copy Hollywood. We should adopt only the good parts of other cultures and reject what honestly is repugnant to our own thinking. Nobody forces you to accept another culture in to and it is our own weakness 19 which we succumb.

It is advisable to speed up our integration and assimilation into mainstream America which involves. Our equal participation and representation in all facets of Civic, Social and political life of the general community in which we live. Our number is increasing and needs direction to steer towards that objective at local, state and national, levels, This can only be achieved by having & countrywide strong, united and devoted political body with local chapters spread all over the country, Al grass-root level we should aggressively pursue a policy of social intercourse with other ethnic groups to educate them about our background and culture. This very much needed and urgent approach will remove prejudice against us, which arises from the in ignorance about us and will be replaced by understanding, goodwill and respect for us, Our process of seeking identity should thus start from grass-root level to build solid and sound foundation. Our participation in School Boards, volunury bodies, charitable institutions, social and welfare organizations and political bodies will en- able us to discharge our obligations of citizenship and also build understanding and respect between us and other sections of the com- munity, Every political leader builds his foundation and base in his own community before he can aspire to higher positions and there is no short cut to this process anywhere in the democratic countries of the world. Only discharge of duties and obligations of citizenship gives the rights and privileges therein and this equation is the essence of true democracy.

G.S. Sandhu M.D. (Ex Kenya) Fresno, CA

Article extracted from this publication >> August 5, 1994