Festivals Changing Their Meaning for You

I was in India this March for my mom’s one-year anniversary. It’s been ages since I’ve been to India for the Holi festival. In North India, Holi is a very, very popular celebration marking the beginning of spring. I was excited to be there for it and wanted to see if it still felt the same.

I realized that education and competition have really changed childhood—kids today are under so much pressure. February and March are exam months in India, and I think that makes a big difference too.

I was staying at my sister’s house in Raipur. All the families in that big apartment complex gathered the night before Holi to light the firewood. We all put some dry color on each other, had some sweets, drank Thandai, and went home. 

The next morning, a few people played downstairs with colors mixed in water, but by noon, everything had settled down. Later, we went to meet my uncles and cousins, and the roads were completely deserted. I didn’t see many people out.

Traditionally, people play with colors, eat, drink, take an afternoon nap, and go out again in the evening—but even in the evening, when we drove back, I didn’t see much happening. I’m not sure if it’s just changing times or the pressure of studies, but something has definitely shifted. Earlier, people used to visit each other’s homes to wish Happy Holi, but I didn’t see that happening either.

With the rise of apartment culture, people now come downstairs, bring something from their own home, or chip in money to have food ordered. Everyone eats together and then heads back to their homes. Basically, no one really goes to anyone’s house anymore.

Things are changing in India, and all these years I felt like my kids were missing out. But this time, I realized—it’s not just them. Things are changing everywhere in the world.

Do you miss things from your childhood?

A simple cotton for the day

My brother-in-law and I share the same birthday, and one of my cousins celebrates his the very next day. Because of the time difference between the US and India, every year we end up wishing each other 'Happy Birthday' and replying with 'Same to you! I was there for my bday after years and so were these two guys. It was such a fun time.

Holi pics