From Kanyakumari to Kashmir, Indian culture is something that cannot be condensed into a single entity because of its diversity. With each state having a unique set of traditions and practices, the Indian subcontinent is truly Incredible and fascinating.

Right from the time of the British to the modern era of globalization, our traditions have been under constant threat of being erased from our memory and our daily lives. Why is this the case? In the name of being modern, kids today refuse to see the tremendous value our culture holds for them. Gifting the world with great epics like Mahabharata and Ramayana, and yoga, Indians had and have a lot to offer to the world culturally and spiritually.

Despite this track record, the number of people following our traditions is decreasing at an alarming rate because of their misguided view of being a global citizen. If we pause to look at the reasons as to why we follow certain traditions, the picture can never be more beautiful than that.

The sprinkling of cow-dung water early in the morning and following it up with artistic designs of Rangoli in front of one’s house is not just for decorating one’s house entrance. Rather, the disinfectant properties of water mixed with cow dung and turmeric keeps the universal, uninvited guests of germs and insects at bay. We greeted people with folded hands to prevent the spread of germs even before the world saw it as an alternative to shaking hands during the pandemic. Pioneers of simple but effective traditions, Indians should take a lot of pride in these daily practices.

While it is okay for our traditions to adapt and grow, considering them to be outdated and not following them is a crime that will fall on our heads one day. Our traditions define who we are and help us identify our position in this society. They give us a sense of belonging to the community that we live in. Practicing traditions as a family strengthens the bond between family members and makes them look forward to them during the time of festivities.

Following traditions is a way of thanking our ancestors who have fought very hard to sculpt the way of life we are currently living by. These ideals make us a good humanitarian by reinforcing and restoring essential principles like faith, integrity, personal responsibility, a strong work ethic, and the value of being selfless.

Passing them on to our future generations is again a way of remembering the hardships of our forefathers through all eternity. Effective communication, teaching, storytelling without exaggerating and as mentioned before, the ability to adapt to the contemporary world is key for any tradition to survive.

Taking pride in our very own traditions and not giving them up for anything or anyone is something that we must learn. New and fancy things may pop up every now and then; while they might provide us with the thrill we seek, it is up to us to understand that it doesn’t define our identity or our ancestry. Only through conscious efforts and reiteration of our practices can we preserve them through time.