My name is Amruta! I’m an Indian-American born & raised in Northern Virginia. I was also the Indian-American who didn’t really love going to India until I graduated from highschool and my mom made me go for a month vacation, and I realized what an incredible place it was! After that I had always wanted to live there for a year to experience life there, and that manifested for me as I met my now husband when I was visiting India in 2017 for my cousins wedding, and our love story followed from there. I came to India January of 2021 to shop as our wedding was in April, and then stayed back and am currently living here until this year end.
So after living here for 1.5 years, here are some things I think would help Indian-Americans as you travel to India this year! I know for many families traveling to India and taking your Indian-American kids can sometimes be a task. Sometimes they love it and sometimes you may have to literally pull them to the airport.
India as your home country has a special place in your heart as you left everything there to come to America for a brighter future, but how do you explain that to your kids? When sometimes all they see when they visit are the irritating relatives who force them to eat when they don’t want to, ask them annoying questions, I face this as well here while living here.
Here are some things I’d recommend:
-Don’t force your kids to love everything about India. They may point out things they don’t like, take that moment to have a conversation with them and get their opinion on it. Is that something they feel passionate about? Do they feel like they can do something to change it? Love for our home country means we accept what’s good and what may not be great, but maybe we can play our part to make a change. Kids don’t want to be forced, let them form their own opinion.
-Don’t compare countries: Accept India for what it is the way it is, and you can only compare it to itself!
-Try new things with an open mind: Everything isn’t bad in India, everyone isn’t out to scam you. Be careful but have an open mind! Sometimes we get so fearful of everything in India and that can create a negative vibe for the whole trip which can also be a turn off.
-It’s okay to say no! Don’t take people insisting personally, or feel obligated. Be firm about your stance! If you kids don’t want to eat at someone house, let them say no. I remember as a kid I would hate that I was forced to do things in the name of relatives.
-Sightsee! Do some activities your kids enjoy. There are so many things to do in India from Adventure Parks, beaches, water sports, indoor games, outdoor games, heritage walks, monuments, and so much more! Limit the relative visits or have relatives come with you, but let your kids visit India as if you are visiting Italy or Greece!
That being said of course basic precautions are a must as Sun-Screen, Sunglasses, Carrying your own Water Bottles & if you need to refill on the road ask for an R O filter.
I truly believe that as Indian-Americans we should give our own home country a chance. Instead of brushing it off as “the annoying relative visits” we should explore it as a country for what it is!
As always, feel free to connect with me for any questions and/or if you would like to explore Heritage based workshops & experiences!
Sincerely,
The Indian Girl
Amruta Panth Pandya
IG: Meri_Sanskriti, __A_M_R_U_T_A__
www.merisanskriti.com
