Recently read Shobha Dey's blog- http://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/politically-incorrect/entry/when-in-chicago-do-as-maharashtrians-do. I have attended Indian Independence day celebrations in UF twice, and the blog resonated my feelings.
Last year, on 15th Aug..the function started with the US national anthem. Me and my friend blurted out a "WHAT" loud enough to be heard in the 2 rows around us, but everyone else was accustomed to the agenda, and didnt think anything was amiss. A series of dances by kids later, finally we sang the Indian National Anthem. We did notice that the function was targeted towards 2nd generation "Indians". Yup, Indians put in quotes..the kids just look Indians, they are, well, americans. We felt that such functions were organized so that the kids at least know "something" about Indian culture, read bollywood songs. Soon, we attended few more functions by teenagers, and I realized that such functions have a deeper motive- an attempt towards Indian dating pool!
My friend reasoned that the kids will always have an affinity for the place where they grew up. She cited examples of my friends, who are from other states, but spent most of their lives in Pune, and associate themselves to Pune than to their original state.
Listening to Indian National anthem abroad is an awesome feeling altogether. No issues if some people didnt even bother getting up for it. What's more important is that the kids know Jana gana mana, hopefully one day they experience the emotions that the anthem resonates.
Last year, on 15th Aug..the function started with the US national anthem. Me and my friend blurted out a "WHAT" loud enough to be heard in the 2 rows around us, but everyone else was accustomed to the agenda, and didnt think anything was amiss. A series of dances by kids later, finally we sang the Indian National Anthem. We did notice that the function was targeted towards 2nd generation "Indians". Yup, Indians put in quotes..the kids just look Indians, they are, well, americans. We felt that such functions were organized so that the kids at least know "something" about Indian culture, read bollywood songs. Soon, we attended few more functions by teenagers, and I realized that such functions have a deeper motive- an attempt towards Indian dating pool!
My friend reasoned that the kids will always have an affinity for the place where they grew up. She cited examples of my friends, who are from other states, but spent most of their lives in Pune, and associate themselves to Pune than to their original state.
Listening to Indian National anthem abroad is an awesome feeling altogether. No issues if some people didnt even bother getting up for it. What's more important is that the kids know Jana gana mana, hopefully one day they experience the emotions that the anthem resonates.
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