Individuality

For the past few days there seems to be an underlying theme to the things in my life. It wasn't intentional but I have been surrounded by the theme of not feeling like one belongs where they are and the need to assert ones individuality. The novel I am reading at the moment "The Bastard of Istanbul" and the movie I saw yesterday "Left Luggage" deal with this theme amongst others and that has got my thought process in motion.

Individuality is a term that is alien to most people in India where you have to fight for your personal space because most people don't understand the concept. Your family would take an offense if you don't spend enough time with them, your friends would think you are a wierdo if you'd want to go out shopping, dining or to the movies by yourself. I have always been a loner sometimes out of compulsion and mostly out of choice. I have felt this feeling inside me to get away from everyone I know and to experience life by myself. I don't know if I'd like it or hate it but I surely would want to experience it.
In the past few days I have kept myself busy with books and movies and have seen two great movies. Left Luggage a simple story that had a powerful and moving theme, Amistad and The Bastard of Istanbul all of which also deal with the hatred of man for his own kind and the ruthless execution of genocides and cold blooded murders. It's a sad story that inspite of all the clear lessons from the past we still haven't learnt from our mistakes. We still have Darfur, Gujarat and Iraq!!!