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I am standing for peace and non-violence. Why world is fighting fighting Why all people of world Are not following Mahatma Gandhi, I am simply not understanding.
Ancient Indian Wisdom is 100% correct, I should say without fear, But modern generation is neglecting— Too much going for fashion and foreign thing.
Other day I'm reading in newspaper (Every day I'm reading Times of India To improve my English language) How one goonda fellow Threw stone at Indira behan.
Bad times are coming, friends, Bad times are coming. But Nehru's dream is not yet one. Forget not that 30 crore people Are still foodless, clothless, and sheless.
Can only be said of your article That I am not agreeing, Some modern girls are not nice things, Because they are not respecting And obeying their elders.
Your advice is to use brain freely, But first learn to control senses Then brain will be automatic— This is our ancient heritage, friend.
I am ending with a humble request, Great lecturer on the spot, Let us all do the good deed, Let us all stop the evil things. And be the unity and integrity of India.
Content Analysis
The poem is a humorous dramatic monologue by a stereotypical middle-class Indian patriot who speaks broken English while earnestly advocating for peace, ancient Indian values, and national unity. The comedy arises from the speaker's sincere self-confidence contrasting with grammatical chaos.
- Cultural identity and postcolonial hybridity
- The politics of English in India
- Generational conflict between tradition and modernity
- Nationalism and civic idealism
- Irony and self-unawareness as a literary mode
Dramatic Irony: "The speaker preaches wisdom in broken English, unaware of the contrast between the authority of the message and the imperfection of its delivery."
Satire: "The poem gently mocks the over-earnest patriot who conflates political rhetoric with grammar lessons and newspaper reading."
Code-switching: "The mix of formal English with Indian cultural references (goonda, Indira behan, 30 crore) reflects authentic spoken Indian English."
About the Author
Nissim Ezekiel (1924–2004) was the foundational figure of Indian English poetry. Born in Mumbai to a Bene Israel Jewish family, he studied philosophy in London and returned to dedicate his life to building an Indian English literary tradition. He received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 1983.
Writing Style: Ezekiel employs dramatic monologue using deliberate grammatical errors — a style critics call 'Indian English poetry' — to create satirical portraits of real social types without condescension or cruelty.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Which newspaper does the speaker mention reading daily to improve English?