Upper Caste could not accept my education, lower caste did not enjoyed my privilege!

I was born as Mukesh Kumar (Srivastava) in a well-to do family and the city was Bokaro Steel City which was under Bihar till the year 2000 but went to Jharkhand after the Bihar was divided into two states. Now, thinking about my childhood since my father was working at Bokaro Steel Plant he had a good amount in terms of salary and we had all the privileges but the only exception was that he was a money saving man rather a spendthrift.

Now, getting to the point which says that upper caste could not accept my education, lower caste did not enjoyed my privilege of going to a better school and since childhood I could understand the clear demarcation between the upper caste, scheduled caste and scheduled tribe.

Although, my parents including my grandfather had never any objection in treating people equally but somewhere down the line if we were having people from harijan community treated with equal respect they use to say to my grandfather babuji aap ka koi wajah hoga hame izzat debe me...na to koi bena wajah na izzat devela!!! It actually means that there must be some reason behind giving respect to us or there might be no such reason why people like us are treated with equal respect.

A person by the name Mr. Karu Ram from Bokaro Steel use to visit our home and I as a three year old child also use to give him the same respect as like any other people. It was too early in my life to give any particular disrespect to any person in the name of caste, creed and religion.

As I started growing up we shifted to our home which was provided by Bokaro Steel Authority but once I reached class V and above I could understand the difference between various caste and the same was taking an uglier turn of events by Mandal Commision movement in the year 1990 and I was into class V.

Although, our school was co-education but somehow during the recess and other such time the various elder students could be seen talking it's implication over the Indian mindset for many years to come. Now, getting back to the thought as the upper caste people since I was good into some or rather every subjects but a bit weak towards math I particularly could not find some good friends in the class-room.

I do remember that one of my classmates Miss Vhabya objected to my Hindi marks which was the best in the class 8 and then the teacher has to explain my answer although I always tried to be cheerful.

Now, the fact of the matter was that I as the title "Kumar" did not put any emphasis on me being an upper caste person while many of the people from the various upper caste use to feel proud about their titles.

Their was very less number of people from the scheduled caste community and the class was majorly the upper caste and then few of us were from the scheduled tribe who had a very distinct culture of the Christianity as a religion they followed,

I actually use to enjoy their company more than anyone else and for me they were more of a fun filled character but to be precise I did not have any sympathy or empathy in the name of caste and religion as according to my upbringing I use to carry back the glass and cup of Mr. Karu Ram when he use to have the tea at our home and he was very fond of me as a child.

Unfortunately, as we grow up in life money becomes prominent and we judge everyone by the money and vehicle they keep and if repeatedly I have to say then the heading stands out to be appropriate but rather than keeping the thought in my mind I always stick to my job and life and do not consider any advantage in the name of being a Shrivastava but consider it the advantage of super rich who honk in the name of caste or the very poor who believe that "Srivastava bhi kahiye sarkar" could make them feel a bit different in life!