In India, there is definitely
a lot of fascination for the way of life in the States. According
to the perception back home, everybody in America lives a happy life
filled with luxuries. Personally speaking, I find Indian Americans
to be similar to Indians back home. People here are very down to earth,
leading normal lives with their basic needs fulfilled through hard
work. The standard of living here is determined by one’s income.
The perception about Indians born here is completely
different back home in India. However, at least for me, that changed
when I met my husband. The Indians born in America are often called
"American Born Confused Desis," although I am not sure why.
For some reason, there is a notion in India that Indians in the States
don't have a clue about our culture. But I discarded this idea when
I met my husband and his Desi friends in America.
Despite being raised in the States, my husband and his friends are
as Indian as they could get. I have come to see many people here who
are very proud of their Indian background and are ready to understand
and know more about the Indian traditions and culture despite being
raised in America. They keep Indian traditions alive by celebrating
Diwali, Id, Christmas, and Navarathri. Religious holidays are events
that can greatly unite Indian communities. For example, a Sikh family
might join their Hindu friends for a Diwali celebration. People of
different faiths in America are often open and involve themselves
in celebrating festivals of different religions without any discrimination
considering people here have origins from various parts of India.
We are all the same, whether we were born in India or not.
Contrary to what others might think, I believe that
it is okay to accept the good of any culture and it is very healthy
to take the best of what both cultures have to offer rather than be
left in between. In India, however, the western influence is going
wild. People there are adapting to the ways of the western culture
by dating, clubbing, and having live-in relationships which did not
exist a couple of years ago. On the other hand, in America, Desi people
are gravitating towards the Indian culture. They are listening to
Indian Music, watching Bollywood films and having arranged marriages.
Maybe East is meeting West.
The best example would be the fashion industry. People
in India love trendy styles from fashion week in Milan and New York.
Anything from a designer abroad is a valuable addition to one’s
wardrobe. But here in America, I see people wearing kurthis,
lehangas, different Indian accessories, and bags handmade
in India.
Now that I am a new American with an Indian upbringing,
I believe I don't have to wear Indian clothes to prove that I am Indian.
Rather, it is my culture that makes me Indian. The feeling of being
Indian comes from the basic act of keeping our culture alive by holding
the motherland in high regard and recognizing the fact that we are
here today because of the sacrifices our elders made back home. Being
Indian is not the way we dress, the movies we watch, or the food we
eat. We do not have to wear salwar kameezes or sarees
and serve ladoos to houseguests to prove that we are Indians.
The way we think makes us Indian. Our culture and languages make us
Indian. Our ancestors have passed a rich heritage to us and we must
preserve it.
Amritha Nayak recently moved to the United States from Mangalore,
India. She currently resides in McLean, Va.
The views expressed in this section are those
of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of ABCDlady.
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