Letters-8: ‘Sons of the Soil’ Slogan

The Bombay of yore prided itself on being a melting pot of cultures and El Dorado for those dreaming to make something of their lives. Many were willing to bear hardships for that ‘pot of gold’. An example is my great-aunt who had come to the city with her little daughter to escape harassment by her husband and in-laws. When her daughter died of typhoid, my aunt made her life in the city’s suburbs. Another woman, who is a friend of my mother, had come to the city long ago. After working in a ration shop initially, she completed her MBBS and moved to the US in the 50s. That was Bombay for many. We should take pride in being Indians and go beyond state and linguistic classifications. And not allow politicians to use the ‘sons of the soil’ slogan to tear us apart to garner votes. - Suman G.Pai, On email.