Preserving India in our Heart

-- Sneha Zawar

Thursday, August 6, 2020

There is an old gag, which keeps floating, that no matter who reaches the moon first or who buys the land there, the first enterprise on the moon will belong to an Indian. This anecdote signifies that Indians are truly resourceful. They are the powerhouse of perseverance and commitment. As per the recent report published by the United Nations Department of Economics and Social Affairs, the population of Indian diaspora spread across the globe stands at 17.5 Million and remittances contribute 2.5% to the Indian GDP. With the Indian people migrating across the globe, their contribution to the growth of the world economy is immense. Sundar Pichai (CEO, Alphabet Inc.), Nitin Nohria (Dean at Harvard Business School), Gita Gopinath (Chief Economist at IMF), Laxminarayan Mittal (CEO of Arcelor Mittal), Abhijit Banerjee (Nobel Laureate), etc., this representative list signifies the achievements of people of Indian origin and their contribution towards the betterment and prosperity of the world.

The accomplishments of Indian people is unparalleled, however, what stands out is how they have preserved their Indianness in the heart, irrespective of the part of world they have aboded. For instance, the image of dhoti clad Abhijit Banerjee receiving his Nobel Prize is still vivid and it fills any Indian heart with pride. Indian cuisine, Indian yoga, Indian Ayurveda all have got global acceptance owing to the widely spread Indian community. What distinguishes Indians is their adaptability, spirit of brotherhood, community bonding and ability to work relentlessly. These qualities have helped them prosper and establish themselves.

So what is the secret behind the success of Indians who have settled in different nooks and corners of the world? I believe, it is their ability to stay connected to their roots. Indian heritage and wisdom teaches us the philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam’, a Sanskrit phrase found in Upanishads, which means ‘World is one family’.
This preaching has enabled Indians to develop an admiration for different cultures and ethnicities. Today, as a community, Indians are growing strong in Kuwait because they have kept their values and culture intact while extending utmost reverence and respect towards people of other nationalities and beliefs. Being from a cosmopolitan city like Mumbai in India, when I first came to Kuwait, I had preconceived notions about the place and the people. But the warmth and thread of love that binds us changed my perception and made the stay worthwhile.

So the analogy that perfectly describes Indians spread across the globe is, they are not like sugar which blends completely in milk, they are more like saffron, which not only blends but enhances the flavour while adding a distinct tint to the milk. This Independence day, let us pledge to not just preserve India in our heart but continue to disseminate its rich heritage, its values and its preaching. Happy Independence Day.

Sneha Zawar is an Engineer and MBA graduate by qualification and is currently working with Towell International Holding as Group Marketing Lead. She is in Kuwait from last 2.5 years