When I relocated to Hong Kong and later to Tokyo, I encountered locals who take immense pride in imparting their cultural and traditional knowledge to their children. This encompasses speaking their native language, enjoying traditional cuisine, donning traditional attire, and celebrating festivals. Many schools even take students to significant shrines to introduce them to Japanese heritage. This sharply contrasts with my observations in India, where young mothers often converse with their children in English and frequent fast American food restaurants. They tend to vacation during major Hindu festivals, missing opportunities to teach their children how to celebrate these important occasions. Some even go so far as to dismiss or belittle the rich Indian legacy that many foreigners admire.
With urbanization and westernization, it has become easier for young couples to abandon their vibrant culture in favor of a Western lifestyle. This is particularly relevant for couples from different states and cultural backgrounds. Inter-community or intercultural marriages can be challenging unless both parties make a concerted effort to preserve their respective cultures. For instance, Prince Harry married a foreigner and became distanced from his illustrious royal family and its rich traditions. Will his children ever reconnect with that heritage? In contrast, the Queen’s children married British individuals and faced divorces, yet their children have managed to uphold the British legacy.
About three decades ago, (even today) in rural areas, grandparents in India would arrange marriages within the community. We often mocked this practice as outdated and oppressive, failing to recognize that those unions were based on socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. Such arrangements made it easier for brides to adapt to new family environments and for society to pass down cultural legacies to future generations.This perspective is shaped by my own experiences across three states.
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