India, more than an emerging economic superpower, more than
a storehouse of demographic dividend, more than a pioneer of innumerable sciences
and streams of knowledge, is a way of life. It runs in your blood, brave and sacrificial
saffron instead of scarlet; it shows in the purity of your selfless soul, white
as a dove, and it presents itself in the green of your optimism, come what may.
To me, this way of life is manifest in how Indians conduct
themselves, not just on their home turf, but also abroad and slowly sneak into
the hearts of those they love - whether Indian or not- one joke, one careful
consideration, one jugaad, one smile,
one gesture of hospitality at a time.
Lufthansa’s latest campaign: #MoreIndianThanYouThink will
make you appreciate the unique and refreshing allure that India enjoys in the
world, today. Catch it here: https://youtu.be/TIgVoRK-A1o
What I like best about this TVC is the recognition of India
as a superpower, as an influencer rather than a mere wallflower in world
events.
It pays heed to everything we hold sacred in our culture- the
respectful and hospitable bow of Namaste,
which stands for “I bow to the good in you”, recognizing equality with the
person standing before you; the spread of delectable cuisine, which has placed
us on the global map and our affinity for celebrating and dancing, irrespective
of the occasion. It is no wonder that this ad will attract Indian audience like
me, coaxing us to venture into a Lufthansa fight at the earliest and experiencing
#MoreIndianThanYouThink for ourselves. For further information, here is the
link: http://bit.ly/2oQTj8q
There’s no denying that the Indian way of life is why we
have become a force to reckon with, in recent times. I will share some facts
and some instances to help you see how. Read on!
1.
We are a happy, loving people
For an allegedly ‘poor’ country (reference
to the Snapchat fiasco), Indians are a joyous people. You know you’re in a good
place when the street urchins selling balloons flash their pearly whites at you
as you purchase their bundles of joy from a rolled down car window. A CEO
driving a Mercedes will dance to the same numbers at a wedding as a middle
class salaried employee who owns a rugged scooter.
We derive so much happiness from simple
things- planning a family picnic, gathering for a birth, going window shopping
with friends, having a hearty dinner at a relative’s wedding, chancing upon old
friends in public transport, clearing our exams- that these little moments
become our real treasures. For us, money is not equal to happiness. True, we do
strive for betterment of our means, but that never stops us from being happy in
the moment. We are ambitious and optimistic. Nowhere else exemplifies glass
half full as Indian.
Despite having one of the largest military
forces in the world, we advocate peace. We forgive nations who seek to destroy
the sanctuary we provide to fellow living beings. We foster friendships. We are
human, and proud of it.
2.
We put others before ourselves
Our strongly rooted values help us gain a
foothold, wherever we go. I was in Germany on a language scholarship in the
summer of 2011. While travelling to the Goethe Institute in Munich, one
morning, I offered my seat to an old lady in the tram. A simple, routine
gesture for me, this was something I always did in India (where public
transport tends to be densely crowded), both out of the virtue of respect
taught to me as a child and out of sheer habit. I didn’t even think twice
before getting up, but the lady was so touched that she lovingly caressed my
cheeks and offered me a currency note of 50 Euros “to go and have a pizza with
my friends.” At that time, it was equivalent to about INR 3000. I was surprised
and politely declined. It was her turn to be surprised, as I refused the money.
My wheatish complexion and mannerisms must have betrayed my nationality, for
she confessed she had always liked India…ever since her son came back a positively
changed person from visiting our country.
We are always taught selflessness and
altruism, right from the very beginning. When our mothers eat only after having
fed the whole family, when our fathers sacrifice meals for buying us expensive
clothes and toys, when we grow up and provide for our families before we fulfil
our own wishes…putting others first is a legacy in the Indian culture.
We care for people, not just our own by
geography, but also those who we connect with, because of who we are- human.
3.
We are adept at making things work
Broken plumbing? Fix it using basic tools.
Jammed vehicle? Gather five people and have them push it, so it starts. Kaput
electricity? Open a few plugs, rewire and you’re set to go. Catch-22? Don’t worry,
we have a way out. No matter what the problem, Indians have a solution handy.
We can make everything work. I have personally experienced how locks can be
opened without keys (using safety pins), how dupattas can double up as sunshade and baby carriers, how things
can be innovatively used for purposes they are never intended for. Don’t believe me? See for yourself, how: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_jvqnmDVME
No wonder then, that India is the land of
innovators and thinkers, right? As some would say, it is in our soil. J
4.
We are intelligent
We gave the world the beginning of the
number system. We introduced decimals. We launched 104 missiles from a single
rocket. We taught the world what today has taken the form of chess. We
initiated microwave communication. We discovered herbs and their medicinal properties.
We gave the world Yoga. Indians and people of Indian origin today lead the
world in many sectors, including ICT, Finance, Physics, Cinema, Law, Medicine, Literature
…you name it, we have made a mark in it.
5.
We are colourful, indomitable in strength and
spirit
We have a rich tradition of arts and
crafts, spanning state boundaries and generations. From forms of painting like
Madhubani, Tanjore and many more to the forms of fabric weaving and production,
especially silk in the South, jute in the East and cotton in the West, from folk
songs that still grace our weddings to the mind boggling variety of sumptuous regional
cuisine in each nook and corner, our creativity has found diverse expressions
and made us virtually unstoppable. India is a leading exporter of gems and jewelry,
textiles and other items of handicraft which are unparalleled anywhere in the
world. This reminds me of how I Wore an orange and black kurti with detailed
Kantha kadhai on it, in Berlin, Germany and the tour guide took a moment to
admire it. He later complimented me on how bunt
(colourful) it was and how it had brightened his day! To this day, six
years later, I feel so proud of it.
My identity as an Indian has helped me realize,
firsthand, a lot of lessons that are mostly confined to moral education classes
at school- standing up for what is right, defending the underdogs, helping the
needy, striving for success in a clean and not cut-throat way, building solid
friendships and nurturing relationships, treating the whole world as my family-
Vasudhev Kutumbkam. If all this could
be practiced everywhere in the world, I am certain that boundaries, both
geo-political and psychological, would diminish, indeed making the whole world
one single family of human beings, united in everything we do and all that we
are.
