I was reading one article in magazine on
our ancestor’s wisdom for spices. It was describing that India was known for this
specialties in other countries. Each part of India has its own uniqueness in
spices for its flavour, colour and aromatising food. Many historians say that spices are one of
the major reasons that Portuguese, Spanish and other foreigners come to India.
On the same
topic, I got a chance to discuss with my Granny, who is currently octogenarian, and want to listen more facts
from her life experience. She said, “It’s
very true that we are so unique in preparing this spices and different part of
our country has its own expertise.” Every season each household blend and temper
these spices according to their taste and store it for the whole year. Also,
those who were travelling outside India, carry this spices with them as
necessary companion and also as gifts for their relatives in foreign country.
It has to be known as precious gift for their relatives. But, than she compared
with today’s scenario and found it little upsetting to her, as she saw that how
we all have become so used to with processed and package based spices and not
even preparing for their unique taste. She was not happy of accepting that each
one of us has become so common that everyone shares same taste.
That particular thought actually triggered me to write this post. I was asking myself, “Are we becoming so common?” If you see Indians are known for their diversity, different regional/religion culture and rituals, foods and festivities, and their unique lifestyle. With this rapidly spreading shopping mall culture, super-store, eating fast foods in dinner and having burger and pizzas, we are becoming more and more common with global traditions or lifestyles. We are losing our unique identity in every possible way. The way you eat food by sitting on surface/floor or the way you speak local/regional languages with unique dialects, the way you wear clothes, everything is just entering into commonness. I was totally surprised, shocked and scared now with this inference which I got from my Granny’s one statement and overall thought process. It is not exaggerated but as after effect to this incident, I have spent my whole day thinking and contemplating on my or our family’s lifestyle in comparison with commonness between now and before. Though, I have described above message was exemplified on group or community, but it contains equal weight for applying to individual’s thinking and mindset as well. Being a common is spreading like virus in every society and community underneath our consciousness. Being victim of this, I am just sharing my observations and understanding to bring awareness.
While writing this post, it is just a coincidence that today is the last day of this year - 2014 and tomorrow will be new beginning for another new year – 2015. I would like to wish you all a prosperous and happening new year ahead, with the message that to be continue with your utter stubbornness of being unique and avoid acceptance of this spreading virus of commonness. At the same time, be more open to ideas and take conscious decision while accepting them, which are good for humanity and contribute in overall well-being. At last, be more sustainable and more humane..!.!
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