By Rachna Shilpi
Originally structural caste system was a division of the society based on occupation and family lineage. The four main castes according to history were: Brahmins (Priests and Teachers) , Kshatriyas ( Rulers and Soldiers), Vaishyas ( Merchants and traders) and the shudras (workers for odd jobs). Hence all the castes belonged to one of these categories.
The caste system is one of the most misinterpreted, misinformed, misunderstood and misused aspect.
You might have encountered the differentiation subtly in your schools, colleges and even in your neighbourhood. I am sure we did not respond to it negatively. This video by ‘Playground’ has one appealing interpretation to the system and it did make sense to me, hope it does the same to you too.
The funny thing about systems like this is that we consider them when and where we want to and we do not take it into account when we do not feel it necessary – Like India as a nation has fought wars, calamities and terrorism without discrimination but when it comes to gaining sides in politics, voicing opinions on division of regions, making families and babies it creeps in.
I think it is up to us, the educated lot to better people’s thoughts on this – in the words of Esther Dyson.
Change means that what was before wasn’t perfect. People want things to be better.’’
Don’t all of us want things to get better?
