‘FYI ‘Chinkis’ is an offensive term’

Slice of Life

DK: Mizoram
Some people think we are not Indians. Whenever I go out for a movie or for dinner some people keep staring at me. They ask me if I am Chinese or Nepali. Earlier, I used to get very angry when someone said that. However, I guess I have to adjust if I have to live in this city. It hurts, but what can I do?

David: Mizoram
The first time in went to Kirti college, they asked me if I was from China. Then, Singapore or Japan. Finally, if I was from Nepal. I did not say anything, but removed my diary which had the map of India. I pointed out Mizoram and reminded them that it was a part of India.

When treated like foreigners, we also start believing we are different.Some people back home talk about coming to Mumbai as 'going to India'.

Lisa: Assam
Even in the girls' hostel, there is a faint prejudice against the girls from the N-E. Their attire often raises a few eyebrows. Not that they are the only ones to dress in that fashion.

However, the girls from the N-E are seen to have loose morals. This perception is grossly incorrect and unfair. It is just that when a girl from the N-E does anything, she gets easily identified and labelled.

Achui: Manipur
When we go out shopping, the hawkers often come after us, thinking that we are foreigners. People often make comments about us and the way we dress, even though a lot of other girls also dress similar.

A lot of people also mistake us to be Chinese, as they see people from the North-East work at stalls selling Chinese food and Chinese restaurants. We are referred to as ‘chinkis’ which is an offensive term and makes me very upset.