REVIVAL OF INDIAN TRADITIONS IN POST LOCKDOWN PERIOD

The traditional Indian household is a living embodiment of our culture and our ancient civilisation. With generations rolling bye we may have left behind a few traditions here and there but it is not at all difficult for us to recollect and re-embrace them.

I remember when we were children we were not allowed to come in with our shoes on. Footwear were to be left outside the front door and we would be directed to the tap or the well to wash our feet before entering our or anybody else's home. The greeting was either a Namaskar or a Pranam by touching the feet of the elderly and their feet were invariably spotless clean. Guests were always advised first to wash up and fresh towel / angocha and dhoti was offered to then to change from the soiled street clothes. 

As a child I was asked to go for a haircut just before it was time to shower or take a bucket and tumbler bath and as soon as I was home I was rushed into the bathroom. Similarly a visit to a fish market or a butcher's shop was also followed by a soapy bath or shower. Same was the ritual after returning from a cremation or a burial. In the evening after returning from the playground we were instructed to wash our hands, feet and face before settling down for studies. Toilet paper was unheard of and early in life we were taught the value of a very high standard of personal hygiene. A food item was to be touched only by the right hand and a glass of water by the left. 

The day I had my upanayan, the sacred thread ceremony, I was introduced to a whole new world. I had to meditate for a brief time twice a day. I could not touch the glass or bottle of water with my lips but had to hold it an inch above my open mouth and learn the speed of tilting it so that I do not choke. I was taught to offer food to God first before starting to eat and now that it was a prasad, I had to eat every morsel of it whether I liked it or not, and that too without complaining. 

There were a few aberrations too which seemed unfair like we were not allowed to touch Madho Kaka who came to sweep our garden and clean our bathroom and toilets. His tumbler in which tea was served every day was cleaned and kept in a corner by him only. The explanation offered was he works in a polluted environment and so we can get infected by diseases he might be carrying unknowingly. Looking back, even if the idea made sense, it surely was untouchability in an ugly form. We respected the man, he was a member of our extended family present with us on all auspicious and inauspicious family occasions but his blessing were always from a distance. 

Today when we are locked down in our homes and are hoping that this curse will end sooner than later, I think the post lockdown days will once again be very much like my childhood days. The hugs and hand shakes will be replaced by Namaskar, those who walk into their homes and their kitchen with their footwear on will learn to leave them at the entrance, every visitor will be asked to wash hands, feet and face and distance will be maintained with the unknown. Cleanliness  and personal hygiene will regain its importance and food will hopefully not be fussed upon and wasted.

I also expect science to do it's part too and voice activated lifts and automatically opening doors will prevent us from touching door knobs and lift buttons. Needless to say, the mask is here to stay for a very long time and cinema halls, sporting venues and places of worship will have anaemic attendance for quite some time. How we avoid crowding in public transport will be interesting, are we bo going to work from home whenever possible?