Living in India
Swanica Shah
MUMBAI—As soon as I say “I am Indian,” a series of stereotypical questions come my way. “Do you speak Indian?” or “How are you so fluent in English?” are asked quite frequently. However, my personal favorite, “Do you ride on elephants?” is easily the best. (By the way, no, we do not ride on elephants).
These questions are so genuine, which is only fair. India has a complex and heterogeneous culture! Although, this statement would have almost no significance in India. The term “Indian” is remarkably broad; India is home to a plethora of different languages, cultures, and religions. I live in Mumbai, the financial capital of India, reflective of New York City for the United States. Furthermore, I am lucky to be fortunate enough to have traveled to various countries, acquiring foreign perspectives on my country. Mumbai is steeped in urbanization so my values are inadvertently bais to modern Indian culture as opposed to traditional beliefs.
Respect is a crucial value in Indian traditions. Even today, women who come from more traditional backgrounds are compelled to hide their bodies as a form of respect. My family, however, promotes equality and the freedom of dress, although it is favored that I dress appropriately in front of elder family members. The essence of respect remains but has definitely become less conservative in recent years.
Religion’s ubiquitous influence is noticeable in almost all aspects of Indian culture. However, a prominent grey area is in gender roles. Although there are many respected goddesses, society has deceived women to be least respected. Sex determination is illegal in India because many illiterate families often choose to abort the child after learning it’s a girl. My family, however, was ecstatic when they had twin daughters (another example regarding modern values of equality). Society’s mindset has penetrated into my mind, affecting me unconsciously but notwithstanding.
I have noticed that one of the most intriguing parts of an Indian lifestyle is the dependance on household help: full-time cleaning ladies, chauffeurs, cooks, and housekeepers. Since India is so populated, there are many people available willing to do all sorts of jobs. Moreover, availability also brings down the price which would have been only affordable by wealthy families. For example, a driver will be available to drop me and pick me up from school or drive me to a party and wait there until I decide to go home. While I am guilty of being dependant on them, I have realized that Indians need to become more mindful of what they are lucky enough to have and not take anything for granted.
As an Indian teenager, most of my academic pressure is from my parents. There is pressure to do well in school, have ample extracurriculars, take on leadership positions, posses a certain amount of service hours, and strive to be the best. Although this may seem like a global issue as competition increases, in India some parents are taking it to the next level. College counseling at the age of thirteen and internships at the age of fifteen are both surprisingly common. I’m only fifteen, and I have to start making decisions that will affect my future. I am also expected to have a clear idea of what career path I would like to take. I believe that this pressure has helped me immensely. Although it can be anxiety-ridden, it has helped me stay grounded, focused, and sustain a strong work ethic. I study in an international school. The school’s liberal style balances out the rigor of societal academic pressure which helps me cope with real-world stress-management.
Overall, there is nowhere I would rather live than in India. Its uniqueness makes me who I am today and for that, I am forever grateful.