I missed a late night message sent by a friend and read it the morning after. She shared a link to a page and wrote: “Can you believe this? Lehengas on the Macy’s website?” In return, I sent her a picture clicked at the store on Diwali day of mannequins wearing sarees. The reason for our excitement was a hundred percent valid.
The interesting tidbit
Macy’s, an American department store founded about 166 years ago, has so far sold only western outfits in its clothing section. So it is only natural that one’s curiosity would be piqued upon seeing attires from the Indian subcontinent, either on a mannequin or on their website.
Times have changed immensely, and this is phenomenal. This was the third year in a row that Macy’s Technology had sponsored a Diwali market in the city of Johns Creek, an Atlanta suburb. There was music, dance, Indian food, and vendors exhibiting and selling desi clothes, jewelry, and merchandise.
Having Diwali celebrations in a temple or any South Asian establishment is one thing, but having this event in a place open to people from all over the world is indeed amazing. In recent times, the USA has borne witness to a growing trend of Indian-American communities and broader US-based multicultural organizations collaborating to put together events. This is indeed a very positive breakthrough.
The Diwali celebrations at Times Square, New York, organized by the Association of Indians in America (AIA), have become a yearly event since 2013. Bollywood music, traditional dances, cultural performances, and food stalls grace the show. President George W. Bush started the tradition of observing Diwali in the Oval Office and the White House. And then President Barack Obama made it a more formal procedure by hosting a ceremony and lighting a diya. The ritual has thereafter been continued by both subsequent presidents. There is every reason to feel proud when a festival from our homeland is accepted with such joy and dignity by another nation.
Close on the heels of Diwali comes Thanksgiving!
Amidst all the autumn splendor, America celebrates Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November. It was first celebrated in 1621 by the Pilgrims who came to Plymouth from England. They had offered thanks to God for a good harvest that came after a year of hardships. Although it is an event with its roots in American history and has a religious base, it has acquired more of a secular characteristic these days.
Thanksgiving is looked upon as a day for feasting with family and friends. It is not just Americans who celebrate this holiday. People who have come to the USA from all over the world are very much a part of the fun and festivities as they observe Thanksgiving in their distinctive ways.
Pamper your tastebuds
Among many others, the traditional Thanksgiving meal includes roast turkey, mashed potatoes, corn bread, cranberry sauce, green beans casserole, sweet potato casserole, and pumpkin pie. But what if these dishes are not deemed as favorites? Well people can choose their own best.
No festival mandates a menu that is embedded in stone. For instance, if you are not a fan of the turkey, you have a choice to settle down for its younger relative, the chicken. And even for vegetarian options, there is God’s plenty if one has to pick outside the conventional Thanksgiving items.
It’s the camaraderie that counts!
It could be a full-on American meal or just dishes from the country that you belong to. What is important is that you are celebrating a holiday with your loved ones. Having a great time is what matters most, not the type of food you have on your plate.
Acceptance and inclusivity are the cornerstones for mankind to live in peace and harmony. Our respect for each other’s customs and traditions creates a safe space to coexist in the middle of diversity. We make our lives richer when, along with preserving our identity and culture, we foster a sense of openness to learn and honor that which belongs to a culture outside of our own.
For those of us getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving, in our own sweet ways, let us kindle the spirit of kindness and gratitude. Along with the fun and the food, may we also remember the noble concept on which it was originally based. Let’s count our blessings and be grateful for what life has to offer.
Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving this November 28!
rashmi writes 
.jpg){kind=link}