She also keeps a range of designer sarees and other dresses that cater to the younger crowd.
She was talking very animatedly to a 'client friend' who was about to leave.
And as my sister-in-law and I entered her shop she said,"From today I am going to say Namaste to each and everyone who comes to me".
I for one am a traditionalist and from my childhood was taught by my dear father and mother to say Namaste.
Very elatedly I joined her with enthusiasm and told her how today many people in the West are using Namaste as a written as well as a verbal greeting.
She was taken aback and she loudly re-resolved that she would henceforth say Namaste.
And then the very same day something very odd and strange happened.
We came home and were in the lift.We wished to go to the 11th floor but 'accidentlally' went down to -1.
And bang came in a young woman with a little boy between 7-8.
There was an icy silence as we all stood together ascending the floors.
It all seemed very wrong to me.Such silence among people living in the same apartment block!
So I took the step, perhaps a 'bit too far and precipitous'.
I 'heckled' her by saying Namaste.
She in turn said Hellooo to me with a dead-pan expression.
It really put me off and I again took another 'dangerous' step and said in Hindi -
Kya aap Namaste nahin bolte hein?
(Do you not say Namaste?)
She replied very matter of factly- Mein to Namaste bolna hi bhool gayee hoon.
Aajkal to koi bhi Namste nahin bolta hei.
Sab log HI ya HELLO hi karte hein.
(I have forgotten to say namaste. These days people say HI or HELLO).
So I said -Arrey aap to boliye chahey aur bolen ya na bolen.
(O, whether anyone says or not, you should say)
So pat came another reply when she said -Main to Sikh hoon Aur main Sat Sri Akaal boltee hoon.
Then I said -Avashya boliye -main bhi boltee hoon Sat Sri Akaal.
( I am a Sikh and I say Sat Sri Akaal).
( Do say so- I too say Sat Sri Akaal).
Our conversation was very sage and friendly.
We parted as we arrived on our 11th and she was on the 14th floor.
Now this leaves me wondering as to where is our Bharat and what is this new India?
How do we revert this process of getting back to Bharat from this new India?
Can we reverse this?
However,on a positive note,I must not forget to state that this young woman was indeed very respectful.
She could have 'barked' back at me and said -Who are you to tell me how I should greet people?
And I would have been at the receiving-end with no answer.
Again this shows that Bharateeya Samskriti has not been fully lost for she spoke with respect.
Who knows what will happen in the coming years or perhaps when I speak to the next person on such lines?????
But I am an optimist and I pray and hope ...........Namaste!
🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
