How it is Like to be a Hindu and an Indian
About Chandana Mittra Sen
If you see someone committed to everything she does, someone who is extremely social from Facebook to real life and if you even ask her about how it’s like being an Indian or a Hindu she will invite you to an Indian festival called Durga Puja that happens annually in Switzerland.
What is it like growing up in India?
“It was fun. You know, because we had a lot of freedom. Oh, yes, our parents were very strict when it came to studies. But we also had a lot of freedom to go ,.around and play with friends. ... Everybody knew each other so it was like one big large family, we celebrated all festivals together. And not just from the Hindu religion, we celebrated Christmas, and we celebrated Easter and we celebrated Id that the Muslims have, and then Langar that the Sikhs have.”
So, has this all changed after you move to Europe?
“Um, well, it has changed quite a bit. Now, I am a minority in a largely Christian, you know, environment, but I do find people want to share in our festivals and want to know about our festivals. So that is very interesting. And because they wanted to know more about us, therefore, I started realizing what identity as an Indian and Hindu is.”
Are you proud or embarrassed for being a Hindu or not at all?
“I'm very proud and very proud that I come from a culture which is very old, and which has very, very powerful philosophical ideas, which is also interpreted in very layman terms with very simple terms for people who cannot climb to those very high philosophical ideas. So it kind of caters to everybody, to the ordinary people, and the people who are up there. So I'm very proud of being a Hindu.”
Have you ever noticed that this part of your identity has put you or others into a position or privilege?
“No, I don't think we've ever been in a position of privilege because of being an Indian and a Hindu. But I do know that I keep telling you that look at all these people who are people from India who have now gone to the US and we're in positions of authority, or power, you know, whether it's Google or IBM, or Microsoft.”
““Be curious and interested and then you will witness other people’s perspective.”
-Chandana Mittra Sen
Okay, so have you ever felt like other people see you differently than you see it? Can you give an example?
“Yes. I mean, people are curious, people see us differently. Because , I look different because I'm from India. And then they obviously know there are people who come from India, I'm talking about Switzerland and Europe, people who come from India, they are normally Hindu. So they see me differently, but I think it is more out of curiosity. So I have Swiss friends here in the village. And they are very curious about religion. They wanted to know more, and we have discussions on it. Because it's very different from Christianity.”
So do you have any advice for younger self, or younger people who also have similar experiences?
“I think, keep yourself open to new experiences, new people, new religions, new ways of life, and try and understand them, be curious about them. Ask them, What do you do? Exactly the kind of questions you've been asking me, and tell them I would love to share or celebrate your festival with you, if it's something you don't know about.”
