I indeed have a claim to fame. I was asked to write an opinion article for my school newspaper on my thoughts of India, simple prompt. Not a tall order by any standard. It was, in fact, extremely difficult, and I'm still not convinced I did it justice, but it is out there for the world, well CSB/SJU, but pretty close to the world to see. I have posted it below, and it was officially printed in March. Don't fret, Mary and Noel have copies. Enjoy! But if you don't enjoy it, don't tell me.
Elephants. Desert. Yoga. Slums. The list goes on and on when thinking of India. I myself am guilty for these assumptions and expectations. I too thought of India as this exotic land of Maharajas, Bollywood dancers, and Julia Roberts finding herself in Eat.Pray.Love. I also mistook India as a land of slums and of children in absolute poverty just like Jamal and his brother Salim in Slumdog Millionaire. However, after spending more than two and a half months in India, my once narrow mind is expanding significantly. India is indeed a difficult country to describe, and I am certain that I will not do it justice. This being said, I request of anyone reading this that you do not take my perspective of India as the black and white India and remain at that idea for all eternity.
For me, India is nothing I expected and everything I needed. In a country with an abounding population and numerous cultures, there can exist no overarching, vague term to express India. Each street that you walk down, each historical site that you visit, each state that you venture to on the weekends proves what you expect to be true, India is teeming with surprises. The truth is that there are unending layers to India, each providing an insight that you never before considered. It is possible for most of us to say, “My country is like no other”, but I cannot emphasize sufficiently the truth in the statement that India is like no other country.
India is its’ people. Of course India has the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, the Victoria Memorial, Bollywood and so on, but the quirks and trinkets of India are comprised by the people. The people of India have an indescribable passion for life. Each day is viewed as a genuine blessing and gift; nothing is taken for granted. Each person you encounter reflects a culture of rich history and a beautiful outlook on the value of humanity. As the common saying goes, “If you help someone, you too will be awarded”. With this mindset, how can the value of India lie anywhere else other than the people?
Innovation. Growth. Ambition. Service. This is what the people of India represent today. Yes, India has some of the most significant poverty in the world, but you would be regrettably mistaken if this is all you thought of India. Every street corner you meet, there are entrepreneurs and innovators making a name for themselves. India is transforming from a British, colonial country to an independent and modern country. In many eyes of the people that you meet, there is a glint of ambition and determination to achieve opportunities unavailable previously. However, regardless of this self-seeking ambition, there is still an immense sense of service and responsibility to those who do not have the opportunities that the fortunate ones behold. There is still a breathtaking philosophy of the interconnectedness of human beings, as each Indian person refers to others as “sister” and “brother”.
If you are traveling to India to “find yourself” or to reach a life epiphany, you may very well be disappointed. India is not a country in which everyone visiting is promised a new life journey, but India will push and empower you to discover aspects about the world you live in that you never would have considered before. I have had the ever constant honor to meet the most beautiful souls, and each soul has presented me with an unforgettable story. Quickly, without realizing it at first, these stories created the country to me. India is the story of each person that has given me a unique perspective on life. India is often challenging, but India will always remain unforgettable.
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