Dear India,
Namaste everyone! Today I, a 14-year-old Indian, am writing about the various customs that are prevalent in the Indian society.
How proud we Indians are of our global image. The great grandmother of traditions, as Mark Twain puts it. The land of colours, light, Mahatma Gandhi, the Ganga, cows, and many more things. Everyone knows about all of these traditions that India is legendary for.
However, today, we are not going to discuss these things. Instead, we are going to discuss the things that aren’t often addressed or spoken of, but still, things that we Indians are equally proud of. So gear up for a fun journey as I uncover India for you, bit by bit.
First, let us talk about our favourites festivals. Diwali, Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi, etc. Starting with Diwali, all foreigners know this as the festival of light, the day Indians light up our homes with diyas, eat delicious poori-sabzi and do puja as we celebrate the return of Ram ji.
So where does the fun part begin? Duh! It’s the part where we burst thousands of crackers. This tradition has evolved over time. It began with phuljarhis in the 1900s and now, nothing less than the ‘ladis’ in 2018! There is no end to our enjoyment as we pollute our homes and our environment. And the fun we have later as we brag to our friends about how many rupees we burnt while bursting crackers. All this is what we enjoy doing, especially when somewhere else, a child with a serious respiratory disease for example, is dying of poverty and hunger.
We enjoy the same way on Holi, when we fill our swimming pools with gulaal, even as 60 million other Indians don’t have access to clean drinking water. How we look forward to this day! Similarly on Ganesh Chathurthi, when we immerse the pollutant-filled idols in the sea. How we enjoy these festivals, thanks to these interesting and fun traditions.
Now, let’s talk about patience. Everyone assumes Indians have these qualities. Because Gandhi was born here, of course. We are so patient that we need to jump every red light, even though they may last only for 30 seconds.
Moving on to how accepting we are as a nation. We have accepted so many people from other nations, they made their India their home. Yet, we are the same country that frowns upon gay and lesbian individuals.
I would love to continue, but I certainly do not want to end up like bechara Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the director of Padmaavat for hurting the sentiments of my fellow citizens (who dare I say it, get offended on hearing the mere truth).
I’m sure I come across as someone who likes to complain. But that is not why I have written this letter. You see, like any other Indian, I too love my country and want the best for it. India is an exceptional nation. It is one of a kind, with a rich heritage, diversity and talent and its high potential to reach the top.
The difference between having the potential to be at the top, and actually being at the top is the obstacles that one must overcome. The same goes for India – for us to transform that ‘high potential’ label to the ‘at the top’ stage, we must overcome the flaws that hold us back. In order to overcome a problem, it is important to first acknowledge that such a problem exists. That is exactly the purpose I hope to serve through this essay.
Thank you and Jai Hind!
Sincerely,
Adya Bhargava
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