by Vinita Agrawal
It is by now a clichè to define India as a melting pot of cultures, but true nevertheless. At the hour of dusk, one can witness the Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh or listen to Sufi music and qawwalis at Nizamuddin’s Dargah in Delhi or catch a mother and son lighting butter lamps before Buddha’s statue in Dharamshala.
Such a panorama of worship is possible because Indians can and do practice the religion of their choice. This must be by far the greatest personal freedom any man could hope for. Since we are secular by constitution, we must become more secure about our personal beliefs. We must coexist peacefully; live harmoniously and grow together as a great unified nation.
We the people of India have another beautiful disparity – that of race. From the snowy peaks of the Himalayas to the scorching deserts of Rajasthan Indians vary greatly in facial features. The hill folk look as different from a man from the plains as chalk and cheese. Yet, on every 15th of August, India’s Independence Day, they sing the same national anthem, wave the same tri colour and feel the same sense of pride at being a part of our motherland. Another endearing example of our unity in diversity.
Any ode to our nation would be incomplete without a special mention to its amazing women folk. Whether it is upbringing her child or blending duties of home and work, Indian women contribute diligently to both dimensions.
Even if it means trudging up a hilly path to work in the tea gardens with their baby strapped to their backs or weaving on a hand-driven loom, for that extra income at home, Indian women do it with a smile on their faces and a song on their lips!
There is a lot that needs to change in this country – the population needs to be controlled, the infrastructure needs to improve, corruption needs to go, women need to be treated with respect but all this can only be achieved if we the people of India stand united and learn from its glorious past.
Vinita Agrawal is a Delhi-based writer and poet and has been published in international print and online journals.
