Being away from home and people has induced this tendency of getting super excited at the very remembrance of them. Same goes for the mention of India. This never happened when I was there, it happens now when I am so far away from her - India. The rich culture and heritage of our nation is renowned world wide and there at the same time there have been several occassions when foreigners saw India as a land of snakes and black magic.. The very thought, the very mention of anything and everything makes me feel connected to my homeland. A similar incident happened today. On a bright saturday afternoon, we (my rooommate and I) decided to go and visit the nearby Gulbenkian Museum and spend sometime in the park amidst nature. When we reached, there were many people. Among them two teenagers approached us. And as one of them started speaking to me my roommate explained to him that I don't understand portuguese very well. The boy soon started speaking in english and introduced himself as a Scout and that he wanted to me to buy some charitable stuff. (The mention of Scouts reminded me of my Bulbul and Guides days in school). Now something interesting happened, he gave me the paper where he wanted me to write my name and other details and I saw a very very noticeable word (being an Indian) on the paper and the word was "Gandhi".
I immediately got super excited and asked him what did that signify. He started off in a nervous tone saying every little thing he knew. To calm him down, I added some more information to his database about Gandhiji and then he was extremely delighted to know that I am from India. In an even more nervous gesture, he beckoned to his partner, who in the meanwhile was interacting with other people around. This lad came and started off so confidently. Our team name is "Gandhi" and we all like him very much... and very innocently gave me some details about their inspiration. He too seemed equally delighted on learning that I am from India. To be very honest, it was a proud moment for me and for that matter would have been for any other Indian present there. Although the present leaders are working on projecting a Global image of India but the way these young minds associated with India was incredible for me and a moment to remember. He handed me the slip from his scouts booklet and as a token, I gave him Indian Currency with Gandhiji's photo on it and they were more than delighted to receive that. Hoping for many more such an interesting interactions.
Cheers Sweta.
