It is an old story, the differences—real or imagined—between North Indians and South Indians. Just who comprises this great North Indian mass is a matter of dispute, but those below the Vindhyas think those up north are physically stronger, more aggressive, more fun-loving. And those in that part of the world see South Indians as more conservative, intellectual, calculating. It’s a stereotype, of course, even racist in its own way, but there are many who hold this brain versus brawn hypothesis close to their hearts.
Now, when Raj Thackeray has been stirring the North Indian pot in Bombay, the lieutenant-governor of Delhi, Tejinder Khanna, has stirred the (North Indian) hornet’s nest by asserting that Delhi has one of the highest accident rates in the country because North Indians take pride in breaking the law and getting away with it. ”It’s a specialty of people from North India. They feel proud when they break the law and get away with it,” he said. “North Indians have no traffic sense. People in the south are disciplined on the roads and have good traffic sense.” The remark has drawn the ire of such law-abiding Indians as Lalu Prasad Yadav and Mayawati.
Questions: Do North Indians have a greater contempt for the law? Are South Indians more respectful of the law? Or is this just a ridiculous generalisation because you find all types everywhere? Given the intra-country migrations happening within the country, could the lawlessness spread?
Also read: Would War have made South Indians different?
Intra-country migration will bring moderation to all sections of the society once we get above our narrow parochial mindsets. Exposure to different cultures will bring about greater acceptance of different point of views and will re-enforce our belief in democratic principles. Imagine what India would be today had we decided to live in a cocoon neither allowing visitors nor travelling ourselves. Travel for me is a great education.
It is an old story, the differences—real or imagined—between North Karnataka people and Mysore. Just who comprises this great North Karnataka mass is a matter of dispute, but those below the Thungabadra think those up north are physically stronger, more aggressive, more fun-loving. And those in that part of the world see Mysoreans as more conservative, intellectual, calculating. It’s a stereotype, of course, even racist in its own way, but there are many who hold this brain versus brawn hypothesis close to their hearts.
Yes. But aren’t Punjabis supposed to be North Indians as well ? Is this a case of pot calling the kettle black ?
where the rule of law is not upheld and where there is no LAW , what is the meaning of LAWLESS.SHould we use LAW MORE for the southern states ??
I second the Hon. Lt. Governor
True. Having driven in Mysore, Banglore, Chennai and Cochin, feel sorry to see brand new Sedans with a big dent or two on Delhi roads!
This question perpetuates an offensive stereotype (as churumuri admits) and serves no purpose at all.
Yes, average North Indian is more aggressive, rubble rousing than average south Indians.
Nehru explained in “Discovery of India” its due to long, oppressive Muslim rule in the North.
Peoples behavior do change according to situation they live in. If they had not become so, they would have perished.
“People in the south are disciplined on the roads and have good traffic sense…”
Which part of South India is he talking about??
On the other hand, if south indian traffic qualifies to be ‘desciplined’ as compared to North Indian cities, ooohh devare, namma deshavannu kaapaadappa!!!
“Intra-country migration will bring moderation to all sections of the society once we get above our narrow parochial mindsets. ”
Either that, or it will cause the less numerous sections to die out eventually.
its a known thing…all of us experience it in all walks of life
First of all, where is the law and where is the order in our country (North or South, East or West) can somebody tell me?!!
Tejinder Khanna has spoken the truth. He has said what everyone knows but afraid to say.
Absolutely agree with Andy!
I think it has something to do with their Aryan ancestory and frequent warring and invasions by people of Central-asian (and other) stock….. Survival-of-the-fittest and all that…versus our breeding from the Dravidian stock where our interactions were seafaring and merchantile in nature….. any takers for that explanation?
Its only a possible explanation, not an apology for their behavior…. us ‘Southies’ can have it real bad up north.
Though it is tough to adjust for both parties in the others milieu…. IMHO the only difficulties North Indians in the south face are the adjusting bit….we don’t MAKE life tough for them.
But the same cannot be said for us in the North….North Indians do not just let us ‘deal with and be’ amongst them….they often make it obviously difficult for South Indians.
(just read the 2ndary article, my post repeats it i guess)
I think it is too peevish to general lise what has been said by a local politician seeking political mileage and political attention in Maharashtra to dub n the entire North Indians or the Marathi speaking people as parochial or lawlessness.
Such kind of attention only helps give publicity mileage to upstarts like Thackarays nephew in Maharashtra who wants to build his own base as oppostion the one by his uncle.
The Northi Influx
Yesterday I had to visit Mysore and I was trying to catch an auto from Indian Express to Railway Station at 6AM.
I found an auto. To my surprise the driver looked like an UP guy. I asked, ‘station ge barthira?’. He said, ‘stasionnn, 40’. A northie auto driver in Bangalore ?! A first for me. I said, ‘ippathu’. He looked blank and I had to search another auto.
In the station, I felt like having a coffee and went a bru coffee booth. He gave me coffee and it was Rs 5. I asked, ‘iinoorige change ideya?’. He was blank. I asked again and then flashed the 500 rupee note. He said, ‘no change’. This guy looked like a Tam/Mallu and he knew zilch of Kannada. I gave him 5 rupee coin and boarded the train.
Kannada fans want Kannadigas to speak in Kannada, at least in Karnataka. In Bangalore, even if you speak in Kannada, there isn’t anybody to respond.
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I neither a North Indian nor a South Indian. I am Indian, just Indian.
I wouldn’t say north Indians or lawless, but they are bit more courageous and enterprising than their southern counter parts.
I recount words of my old friend regarding the kind of competition one faces from the north in matters of trade and Industry.
“copper wire supply maadi antha paperinalli tender biddare naavu (southies) yellow pages mattu internet nalli manufacturers’ contacts hudukuttaa kootirteevi. Ashtarolage avaru (northies) ondu cutting pliers kayyalli hididu overhead cables kade horatirtaare.”
Reading VishwaManava’s post, I wonder why our boys don’t pack up and land in Bangalore. Why do only the northies catch the next train to Bangalore?
I have North Indian friends who are extremely loyal, friendly and non-aggressive. And I have seen aggressive, non-caring, arrogant south Indians. Stereotypes dont fit
Cities like Delhi can be very rude, aggresive and un-friendly if you seek a public service of any kind. However, within North India a lot of people are not so. Its just those who think they are up the feudal order behave so. My experience: Bihar is full of nice people especially the tribal minus those who run the state and its institutions, Sikhs in Punjab Villages (and not cities) are extremely kind, Himachal is full of kind people. Rajasthan is actually very very polite set of people especially in and around the Udaipur region (my experience only). Not sure about UP and Haryana… cannot recall any experiences. Haryana, if I go by what I experience in Delhi is not that romantic! Lolx.
Basically, its quite sure that any big city is going to attract people from all over the country and complicate things. Indian society is 10 steps behind the Indian as an individual. India needs 10 new big metros to rise which are de-linked from their local set up and are progressive. So, that regional nature of metros become a non-issue.
south indian dudes are fearful, calculative, risk averse, and they just have bad body odor and stink.
VishwaManava!!!!!!!
what were you communicating ??????????
500 note for Rs 5/=
Nasty,Nasty,Nasty,Nasty,Nasty,Nasty,Nasty,Nasty,Nasty,Nasty,Nasty.
has anyone heard
“The Single Story”
watch it and you will realize how empty and frivolous we are
available at Ted.com