I’m commonly asked questions when I travel around India.
"Where are you from, Auntie?"
"Canada," I say.
"What is your good name, Auntie?"
"Trula," I say. "It means true love," and I smile wondering what my bad name could be.
"Are you married, Auntie?"
"No," I say.
A puzzled, “Oh!" is her reply.
"Do you have children, Auntie?"
"Yes, one," I say.
"Only one? I have 6 brothers and sisters."
"How old are you, Auntie?"
"55," I say.
"Wow!! You are the same age as my Mother."
"Are you alone, Auntie?"
"Yes, I'm alone but, I’m never all by myself if that’s what you meant. You know the word alone is spelled A L... O N E which really means that I am All One with everyone. Besides, it is impossible to be all by myself or lonely when there’s over 1.2 billion people to meet."
My curious new friend flashes me her brightest smile, her eyes looked directly into mine and her head wobbles with great pride and knowing.
“Yes, that is true, Auntie, very true. But, I could never travel without my entire family. I would feel too lonely”.
People are bounded together by family values and community. Strangely, this chaotic, confusing, crazy-coloured and at times discouraging country makes me more reflective about disconnected families and communities back home.
India is very old and complicated. With more than two thousand ethnic groups, combined with every major religion and four major families of languages, "Unity in Diversity" is the main essence of Indian culture.
I go to India specifically with the intention to have my perceptions of life and humanity challenged. My blinded-by-western-privilege mind arrogantly struggles to make definition with what it already knows.
From city, to town, to village: each can be remarkably distinct. Every change in direction compels me to be more curious, more adaptable, more accepting and more receptive to the moment. I am moved to be so much more.
Did you know that India has a young population and, unlike the western world, it's getting younger? It is expected that, in 2020, the average age of an Indian will be 29 years.
The biggest difference with this generation of young women is that they are asking why things are the way they are. Despite a suffocating patriarchal shadow that hangs over the lives of women throughout India, women's empowerment is taking new shape. There is an extraordinary and inescapable infusing of empowerment that is transferred to me by the unwavering fortitude in Indian women.
I have been fortunate to encounter many generous, gracious, graceful, proud, hardworking, fierce, devoted, dutiful and persistent women.
"Every human heartbeat is a universe of possibilities. Every human will has the power to transform its fate. I’d always thought that fate was something unchangeable: fixed for every one of us at birth, and as constant as the circuit of stars. But I suddenly realised that life is stranger and more beautiful than that. The truth is that no matter what kind of game you find yourself in, no matter how good or bad the luck, you can change your life completely with a single thought or a single act of love."
"For this is what we do. Put one foot forward and then another. Lift our eyes to the snarl and smile of the world once more. Think, Act, Feel, Add our little consequence to the tides of good and evil that flood and drain the world. Drag our shadowed crosses into the hope of another night. Push brave hearts into the promise of a new day. With love: the passionate search for a truth other than our own. With longing: the pure, ineffable yearning to be saved. For so long as fate keeps waiting, we live on. God help us. God forgive us. We live on."
Quotes ~ Gregory David Roberts ~ Shantram
Music - Uma Mohen - The Divine Chants of Rudra
I was asked to present a 5 min. video about the empowered women in India. This video was written, imaged and created by me while learning to work with the video editor Adobe Premiere Pro. I want to share my experiences traveling in India and meeting amazing women along the way.
The Empowering Women of India
Thanks for that superb post. It's both interesting and informative, with a great mix of social perspective and personal insights.
Also, the entire post has a cohesive and coherent pattern. Written words and narration, images and vid, all work together to tell an important message.
Will resteem now. Good luck, and Full Steem Ahead.
I appreciate that you took the time to have a look. Thank you for your review and commentary from one who has spent much more time than I have in this expansive country.
I looked at your language posts and really love your approach. I learned something from them as a native English speaker. I was thinking that it would help with my Spanish. Glad to be in touch with you on Steemit. Yes, Full Steem Ahead.
By the way, I'm going back to India the end of December. I think I'll be exploring Gurgurat. Have you traveled there. This will be my first time. I have been through some of the main places in Rajasthan.
My pleasure. I've been active on Steemit for only 6 weeks. The first month, I spent all my time creating content, for my Vocab series and more. Eventually a few followers told me to get out there and start curating, commenting, upvoting, etc.
So finding sites such as yours and reading, reviewing, and commenting on them is now a part of my activities on Steemit. And I've found it all to be very rewarding.
Among the constant flow of average posts, there's so much to find on my Home Feed. And when I do find good posts, I'm grateful for it, and grateful for the opportunity to promote, support, and encourage those Steemers who are creating the quality content.
As for my language / vocab posts, I may change my strategy. I think I'm gonna discontinue them temporarily, and upload one comprehensive post of ALL the vocab items. After doing that, then I'll continue with the daily units. So, if you don't see them for a (Short) while, don't worry. Another 300 or so will be coming soon.
That might be a more effective way of getting it out there (not to mention a more lucrative way. :-) )
I never made it to Gujarat. I much preferred the north (Himalayas) and the south, primarily Goa.
The one place in Rajasthan that I kinda liked was the small town of Pushkar. It's a bit out of the way, and there's no direct transportation there. But it's only about 10 miles from the small city of Ajmer, which is on the main highway. Have you been there?
That was such an inspiring piece, even more so in the video. Although the post is essentially the same, your voice carries the feeling. Oh, what a feeling it gave me.
As a westerner, my family is uncharacteristically close all the way down to our extended family. I didn't realize until I got older that this was not the norm for us. It will ultimately cost us, as it already has for turning our backs on this.
Thank you for sharing this with us and I feel like I need to travel to India now, to walk in the same footsteps and feel that same thing.
You are a very inspiring writer! Thank you! Upped and Steemed
Wow!! Thank you for your thoughtful comment and inspiration @dswigle. I highly recommend travellling to India. If you every need any tips or suggestions please don't hesitate to ask me. I have been there 3 times now for a total of 8 months and planning to return this December for a month. It is such an amazing country and the people are incredibly welcoming and warm. I feel a great affinity for this diverse and culturally rich country.
When I was growing up, we never used first names, we usually used Auntie to our neighbors who were my mothers that were of age or Grandma to women that were of age. It never seemed off or out of place. I am trying to image the youth today doing that. Which makes me laugh. I was brought up in the 70's and in Connecticut, not some far to reach back woods.
And thank you for the offer! I may be taking you up on this!
Yes, wouldn't it be great if we had that kind of respect in our culture? We grew up doing what you describe too. I had many Aunties and my son does the same with my close friends. I raised him on an island which is a small community.
I look forward to your questions. :)
My three kids grew up around the US and in Europe and from toddlers, that is the way they grew up too. It is not where you grow up so much as the lack of parenting skills our culture seems to lack at times.
I can hardly wait to get the book! And thank you so much!
You may enjoy reading this book if you haven't already, Gregory David Roberts ~ Shantram. I listened to the audiobook while travelling and I believe it helped me to understand and accept what I was experiencing in the moment.
Thank you! I appreciate that. I will look it up tonight. Gotta love Amazon.
I like to use Audible. I download to my phone so I can listen while I do other things. I love Indian authors and can suggest many other favorites.
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Oh yes! I would be honoured and delighted. Thanks!
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Good post
Thank you, I'm glad you like it.
Why is she calling you Auntie?
It is an endearing custom I noticed in India, that anyone younger than myself would call me Auntie. I'm sure it is a way of showing respect. Now that I've let my hair go grey I am sweetly called Mother. I think it is very much in the Indian culture. I love how it makes me feel like we are all one inclusive family.
That is really neat. Rest of the world could learn a few things from them.
Most certainly true. I learn so much about what it means to be human when I travel and experience other cultures so different from my own. It's like a reboot to the system. :)
You are 100% correct @trulafountaine. In India, we have a very famous saying -
It means the whole world is my family.
And, that is why she was calling you auntie. It is very much common among Indian children to respect their elders. If next time someone touches your feet, do not get scared because that means they want your blessings. Remember the flow of energy? My teacher once told me that
Now when I think of it after so many years, I believe in it now also and whenever someone older to me comes to our homes we welcome them and touch their feet to get blessings.
Another famous saying I would like to share -
Atithi Devo Bhava (Sanskrit: अतिथिदेवो भव; English: 'The guest is equivalent to God' which became part of the "code of conduct" for Hindu society.
This was something that I wanted you to know.
If you come to India again, do visit Gujarat State. And, Junagadh in particular.
I was going to mention touching of feet to parents and elders. I'm glad you added this. I have seen it and fully feel it. My western culture has forgotten this. Now that I am an elder I wish that I had fully known this when I was young. I did but not like you do in India. Thank you so much for your knowledge and contribution to this post because it is very important to understanding Indian culture. Many times I was told, "It is my duty Madam to make sure you feel welcome."
I am planning a trip to Gujarat in December. I have a very good friend there. Please keep in touch. I will be posting about my travels there. Where are you?
I live in Junagadh District of Gujarat State. If you want, you can go for Asiatic Lions Safari. I have few friends, they can help you a safe trip.
Thanks! I have a very good friend from Lunawada. He is a great photographer and had capture images of many lions. I will ask him about your offer. Thank you. That is is kind.
It was a pleasure talking to you ma'am. You can contact me anytime. I plan to stay online daily, so will be aware of any messages from your side. Happy to have a new friend.
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STOPCongratulations! This post has been upvoted from the communal account, @minnowsupport, by TrulaFountaine from the Minnow Support Project. It's a witness project run by aggroed, ausbitbank, teamsteem, theprophet0, someguy123, neoxian, followbtcnews/crimsonclad, and netuoso. The goal is to help Steemit grow by supporting Minnows and creating a social network. Please find us in the Peace, Abundance, and Liberty Network (PALnet) Discord Channel. It's a completely public and open space to all members of the Steemit community who voluntarily choose to be there.
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Thank you, both!
Thank you for this beautiful piece; writing, photos and video.
My wife is from the Philippines and she recently remarked that she is sad and surprised that there is no obvious way in the English language to show respect for an older person. Similar to India, in the Philippines the older person is addressed as sister ("ate") or brother ("kuya"). I really love that these cultures have a sense of (extended) family.
Yes, so true. We did this it in my family but mostly for people close to us.
I experienced this in Vietnam also. At first, I was taken aback when a stranger asked me my age because that's not something we do in our culture, especially to women. Then I learned that they only wanted to speak to me with appropriate language. That age hierarchy is important and built into the language. Once I understood I was happy to tell my age. They only wanted to speak to me with respect.
I'm glad you like my post and video. Thank you so much for checking it out.
in love of this post!
So glad you love it!
Wow! You are inspiring and fascinating Trula! I loved each and every bit of this post because it was so genuine. Also, I enjoyed seeing many different faces and many expressions of happiness in one post and that too of gorgeous women. Thank you for this!
Wow!! Thank you very much for your kind words in your comment. I'm so glad you took your time to read and view it. Are you from India? I love Indian culture, people, food, history, dance, art and geography. I will be returning the end of the year.
I am from Pakistan and we have had quite a history with India. :)
Oh yes, I know something about that. :) I'm sure there are many similarities between your countries as well as differences.
Yes, lots of similarities culture wise and differences religion wise :)
Yes. It makes for an interesting mix. Have a great evening. :) My day is just beginning here.
What an amazing post. 💜Thank you for writing it. This is a really interesting glimpse into how Indian women think. Despite the (slow) progress being made, it's interesting that some of the first questions to you are "are you married?", "do you have kids?", etc. I guess it takes a while.
Thank you so much for your comment. Yes, it will take time but I think it is moving faster than we think. The population is very young. I think the poorer regiens will take much longer.
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Thank you @choogirl and @netuoso.. This is very nice.
Awesome post From the above post it seems that you have seen real India. Once you see India with this close, I can guarantee you that you will love India, do not you?
Yes, India is Unity in Diversity.
I do love India and will return. Where are you from? Thank you for your kind comment.
enjoy reading you