The term identity crisis came into existence by works of various psychologists and as invented by Erik Erikson, the psychologist it means or implies that the people experience an identity crisis when they lose a sense of personal sameness and historical continuity. We are also not on the subject of individual or national identity. Each person has peculiar traits. Likewise, each nation has uniqueness. We always take pride in our unity in diversity. The famous proverb "when in Rome do as the Romans do" is also not weighing on our minds at this juncture. It is evoked to advise people to adapt to the lifestyle of places they visit. What do the people do, however, when they go to an alien territory for a short duration? They should maintain status quo because, all said and done, they have to revert to their native land sooner rather than later.

Referring Juliet in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet where she remarks, ‘tis but thy name that is my enemy; Thou art thyself, though not a Montague. Now what is a Montague? It is nor hand, nor foot, nor arm, nor face, nor any other part belonging to a man. O, be some other name! What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.’ Since not everything is a rose we tend to believe that there is a lot in a name. Why are there millions of names and surnames around the world if they have no significance? Yet, we must thank Juliet for giving us two famous observations which are ‘thy name is my enemy’ and ‘what’s in a name.’

And when you follow the Buddhist teachings they will vouch for the relevance of both these statements. It is their predicament in China that brings us to today’s topic. Often in the past we have referred to close links that Leh and Mongolia have developed. There is always some movement of people between our Himalayan district and the erstwhile Communist country. Invariably they travel via China mainly its Capital city of Beijing. After the eruption of trouble in Tibet and with the Chinese wanting no obstacle in the way of holding the Olympics our State subjects have gone through a different experience of late at China’s airports. According to them they have frequently been confused with the Tibetans. As a result their passport is taken away for a brief period during which they are made to wait by airport security. Are the Chinese officials unable to at once distinguish between Ladakhis and Tibetans? Are they doubly cautious because of their previous ties? The Chinese have a close second look at the travel document. Once they are sure that they have an Indian and not a Tibetan guest they come back with an apology. That is why probably our friends from Leh have no complaint against the Chinese officials. Instead, they praise them for their courteous behavior. It all gives sign of identity crisis.