I often get people writing to me, wondering why I choose to live in India. They think I’m a crazy for giving up my high standard of living, to be here with my husband.
The thing is though, I fell in love with India long before I fell in love with my husband. Actually, I fell in love with India five years before I even met him. It happened the first time I visited India, in 2000. I was fascinated by the country. I found it to be vast, unfathomable, and full of life. I wanted to be a part of it (not that I ever imagined I would be!).
For sure, India often tests my patience. It’s like a never ending rollercoaster ride. I get frustrated and fed up. Yet, I can’t deny, I’m still under India’s spell. Here are five reasons why.
1. India is Untamed
Funnily enough, the thing the often irritates me the most about India is also the thing that ensures I’m never bored here. Every time I go outside, there is something different and interesting happening. Things that I’ve never seen before, and never thought possible. Camels, elephants, bullock carts, and overladen vehicles all jostle for position on the roads. Not to mention, the multitude of vendors with their hand pulled wooden carts. All around, everywhere, everyone is doing something.
2. Incense
The warm waft of incense never fails to awaken something in me. I love the fact that it’s so much a part of everyday life in India. I light it in the morning when I get out of bed, in the evening when it becomes dark, and often when I’m about to go to sleep as well. The smell is soothing yet inspiring at the same time.
3. Mystery
India is ancient. There is so much to discover and learn here. The history, the traditions, the rituals. And, India is a country that reveals itself only a little at a time. I feel like I have to earn my understanding of India.
4. Spirituality
I’m not a religious person, but I’m a very spiritual one. I actually don’t belong to any religion (thanks to my parents, who decided that I could make up my own mind). I’ve dabbled in a few, but it wasn’t until I came to India that anything really resonated with me. Here, God is in everything. People have such a close relationship with God in India. And, Hinduism offers so many different ways of connecting to God. It’s a religion for the mind and the body. I find the meaning behind the mythology fascinating, and strangely enough, believable. India has really helped me define what life and death is all about.
5. Clothes
I adore wearing Indian clothes. The colours, the design, all the jewellery and accessories. I feel transformed.
To all my Indian readers: Please do tell me what appeals to you about your country. I know there has been plenty of discussion in the blog about some of the undesirable aspects of India. Now, let’s show India some love!
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- My New Year’s Resolutions 2009
- My Parents’ Reaction to My Relationship and India
- Answers to Questions About My Life in India #1
- How India Helped Me Find My Purpose in Life
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@@Amit
i wrote:
“Human’s wanting for “more”(read GREED) is one of the prime causes of all sufferings in this world……..terrorism , climate change , deforestation, broken homes ….and etc etc etc etc.”
i wanna add that all of these are because of THE WEST. PERIOD.
Ronny: “Why do u need any other thing when you are happy with what u have got?”
This is the great conflict. If you are happy with what you have, you don’t do anything. Where do you get the motivation to work hard from?
Ronny: “Human’s wanting for “more”(read GREED) is one of the prime causes of all sufferings in this world.”
Absolutely true. But truth doesn’t effect the conflicting nature of the world we live in. As far as suffering goes, we should know better, the human life is great suffering it self, no matter if you are content or not.
As far as the earth is concerned human beings because of his greed and selfishness do more damage to it than any other life on the planet.
“Look at the movie AVATAR…”
Who made it?
“Once upon a time , Indians were like the NA’VI people.”
Why is the western acknowledgment so important to Indians? BTW what’s NA’VI people?
Even future exploration of space would lead to abuse of other planets so I dont think a human can live on other planets. Maybe for a little bit after that lack of oxygen, pressure etc would put an end to his thirst. The forces out there are too powerful. No human can conquer space or time.
A human beings worse enemy isn’t a natural disaster. It isn’t animals or plants. It isn’t life from other planets. It isn’t some devil that lives in hell. A human beings worse enemy is his own kind.
@@Amit Desai
Where do you get the motivation to work hard from?
Let me give an example.
In Japan ,most people work for 12/14 hours (at least in big cities).
Many Japanese kids dont see their dad/mom often . Maybe,during weekends when they are obviously tired after working hard throughout the week.
My question is : whats the point? Of course , more money and development , but at the cost of good family time and also happiness that comes with it.
But in India,most people work for less than 8 hours . Return home early and see their kids grow and enjoy being surrounded by family.
A personal question:
Imagine your childhood. Which kind of parents do u prefer????
Also read Sharell’s post:
“How India Helped Me Find My Purpose in Life”
Ronny, “Imagine your childhood. Which kind of parents do u prefer?”
As a child, I don’t have such a choice and I don’t think about such things at that time. And as an adult I do have a choice, but I also know the fact that it’s just a personal preference.
to answer you question, I will prefer a nice combination of all.
And as an adult I do have a choice, but I also know the fact that it’s just a personal preference
Spot on.
Anyways , which university u went to?
“Anyways , which university u went to?”
I have been to many, as was confused for long. I went to a technical college in India (Surat), then I went to University of British Columbia (Vancouver) for a while, then went to University of Manitoba, and University of Minnesota (U.S) as a visiting student and graduated from a University called University of Winnipeg.
Sorry, I also went to BVP (Poone) for a few month. But I think I got kicked out.
@@Amit Desai
Dude , i think your CV will be an interesting read.
So many universities….haha…..even many professors dont have experiences in so many Univs…..hahahaha
Yeah, And that is only for one bachelor’s degree (of course, I changed many faculties and discipline). This is what one of my previous employer asked, “is there a place where you haven never studied or worked?”
I said “yes, it’s you company”.
Ronny, “even many professors don’t have experiences in so many Univs”
I should have been awarded a special degree in a field called “bachelors of art in messing about” or “bachelors of arts in Univ Experiences”.
@ Amit Desai:
If your employers ask, you can tell them your university is the same, it just changed its name five times. In India, they’d probably believe you.
Abdullah K: “If your employers ask, you can tell them your university is the same, it just changed its name five times. In India, they’d probably believe you.”
I sense the intended sarcasm here.
hay friends u r reading shairali ‘’s blog or chatting what she has asked or written u should answer or write on that if u wanna chat than go to some social networking site
I truly enjoy your blog on India. I was born in India, but moved to the United States at the age of 7 months. Therefore, I am basically an American, but my heart for India. I have been to India few times, but have not really experienced the true side of India. Your blog definitely provides great inspiration in discovering this magnificent country with excitement. Thank you for dedication to India.
Congratulation on your marriage. You are an attractive person.
Hi Div, thanks so much for your good wishes, and appreciating my blog. I’m glad it’s been a source of inspiration to you! India definitely has much to discover, it’s impossible to get bored here!!
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