What amazes me about Indian culture is its relevance. As a child, I was taught, and rightly so, I think, to scoff at much that was considered “Indian”. Only what was being portrayed as Indian was a series of rubbishy notions about not eating and eating and unscientific theories about purity that made nonsense of actual hygiene and such like. And WHY is this hoopla about “Our Glorious Past”?? OK, so we had been a great civilisation, but could we STOP this smug crowing from a bunch of has-beens who had nothing to show for themselves in the present? Mohenjo-Daro is all very well, but it was no consolation for one living in a house where the sewer flooded regularly, and dust is everywhere.
Strangely, it was NCERT books (which I read 10 years after passing school) that first made me realize the grand and progressive nature of this civilization. Strange, because the common notion today is that the leftist ideology was being touted.
What is fascinating is that, where other civilizations crumble and disappear as they become irrelevant and outdated, the Indian civilisation is undoubtedly undergoing a Renaissance. As we explore, removing the rust of superstition and blind belief, the knowledge and wisdom of the ancients shine through, bright as a new penny.
So I am a convert. I always found the stories about yoga mouth-watering. This panacea seemed almost impossible to be true. Finally, this Yoga Day, I joined up. The buzz around the Sector was really loud. Shraddha had been nagging me to join her for the early morning classes in Central Park. Now Vidushi Kharbanda from A 399 called to announce a special Yoga Day session along with her father. Vidushi has been practising yoga forever and was keen to spread the practice. Our local celebrity Yogritu, was, of course always an option. So here in our Sector, we are spoilt for choice.
After practising regularly for almost a month, no bones creak, and the body is supple. Climbing to check the terrace is now a breeze, and there is a surprising sense of well-being throughout the day. Thank you, Yoga!
