Born & raised in a country that I still consider home, it was with mixed feelings that I made my way to the courthouse to accept the citizenship that was being offered to me after being called a resident alien for the longest time. Colleagues at work claimed that this called for celebration. I wondered if they would ever comprehend the bitter sweet feeling I was experiencing.
While one land gave birth to me and raised me with the strong values that is part of my very existence, the other has been home for almost as many years now and has played a key role in shaping who I am today. A feeling of intense anger would erupt anytime someone belittled this home of mine. Over the years I have realized similar feelings when someone from home would criticize what had become my new home. It seemed almost subconsciously that I had come to love both these countries just as dearly as a mother who loves her children like her pair of eyes.
“Would it have been as easy to accept this had I been forced to give up the citizenship to my motherland?” asked a friend. I mulled over that question, and felt an inner calm as I realized that my feelings for either of these countries does not change regardless of what the government chose to call me. While I maybe be a citizen in one and a non-resident Indian in another, they are both just as close to my heart and have both played an integral part in the joys and sorrows that have been part of my life.
“Congratulations”, said the chief of the Immigration Services as he shook my hands. I walked out of the courthouse with a smile at finally being recognized as a child of the country that has embraced me for more than 14 yrs. A warm welcome home indeed!
