We could be living in any part of the world. Yet we identify with India in various ways, if your genes are linked to India somehow.
Today I woke up with this thought : What really makes the Indian in me? Other than the passport that I hold, of course! It can’t be denied that your upbringing influences your thinking. But what happens if you grow up in a country like India that boasts of a great diversity of cultural practices and languages? (I’m amazed to know that there are 415 living languages in India!!)
I asked a few of my friends and family as to what made the Indian that they all are today?
My brother said “Truth” and “respect for elders”. Invariably, these two ethical principles are imbibed in each of us, since childhood. The question is not as to how many of us follow it to the word. But it might suffice if I say that it is a part of being an Indian.
It is right that we Indians value family more than anybody else. I think it is wonderful that we have dada-dadi, nana-nani, chacha-chachi, and other endless relations in comparison to the westernized uncle-aunty system.
My mother identifies with the rich cultural heritage of India. She can’t imagine a life without rituals and a strict value system to believe in! She rightly pointed out that when we earn enough money, we tend to look for solace. We search for our individual Gods. A support to sort through all our emotions. She thinks it isn’t necessary if you are an Indian, as you have enough choices while you are growing up. (Choices of belief systems, I suppose.)
A friend of mine said he is sure that no other country is as secular as that of India. I’ll agree by saying that it is wonderful to note such a unique co-mingling of cultures over centuries!
To me, India is a mythical land. A fabulous tale that I would never get bored of listening to, over and over.
A land of colors. Yes, I’ve never seen such wonderful colors anywhere else. Saris, bangles, wow… the list is endless.
Music and dance, of course. If I grew up in any other country, I might not be identifying myself with various arts like how I do right now. Art is an integral part of every Indian child. (No, you can’t deny this, if you are an Indian parent.)
Finally, the sense of pride.
I never miss a chance to introduce myself as “Pushkala, from India”. Wherever I travel to, I’m proud that I grew up in a country with noticeable heterogeneity. May be that is what contributes to the duality / dichotomy of every Indian. We can easily adapt to the westernization by still being rooted to some of the age-old value system!
Special because she is the first and only cyber friend I have !
Multi-faceted talent. You can summarize her with it. The more sophisticated, sharp you imagine her to be, the more you will be disappointed ! I mean she is not what she shows. She is fun, friendly and extremely sensitive. She can bang your head for that silly slip of tongue, gesture or smile of you and torture. But she is easy to convince and she will forgive you too.
The little girl who wants to be the center of the world, pampered with gifts, smile, chocolates, books, attention. That is the real Pushkala.
Wish you all the very best in life and please remain the same.
I didnt know the meaning of her name and its one of those names which I had encountered for the very first time. Well, its not hard to understand now why it suits her so perfectly. The name means full and it suits her to a ‘t’. Its also another name for the most fiercest of the trimurthis in our pantheon, Lord Shiva. Well…she does have a name that typifies her. Pushkala is a fiesty lil powerhouse. She is full…full of emotions that are as varied as the colours of a palette. If one moment she is delirious with joy…the next she can be angry as a dragon. Impulsive and passionate, she lives life to the full! God bless this power packed dynamite!
We could be living in any part of the world. Yet we identify with India in various ways, if your genes are linked to India somehow.
My brother said “Truth” and “respect for elders”. Invariably, these two ethical principles are imbibed in each of us, since childhood. The question is not as to how many of us follow it to the word. But it might suffice if I say that it is a part of being an Indian. 
A friend of mine said he is sure that no other country is as secular as that of India. I’ll agree by saying that it is wonderful to note such a unique co-mingling of cultures over centuries!
A land of colors. Yes, I’ve never seen such wonderful colors anywhere else. Saris, bangles, wow… the list is endless. 
I never miss a chance to introduce myself as “Pushkala, from India”. Wherever I travel to, I’m proud that I grew up in a country with noticeable heterogeneity. May be that is what contributes to the duality / dichotomy of every Indian. We can easily adapt to the westernization by still being rooted to some of the age-old value system! 
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