What aspects of your cultural heritage are you most proud of or interested in?

I am proud of many aspects of my cultural heritage. As an Indian, Indian culture fills my heart and soul with reverence. India is a land of many cultures; it is one of the most ancient civilisations in the world dating back over 4,000 years. During this period, many customs and traditions have evolved which reflect the rich culture and heritage of this country.

From having a rich cultural heritage to being the originator of some delicious cuisines, this country is not bound by any borders. It would be fair to say that the people of this country are proud of their cultural identity and are constantly carrying forward their legacy. In a multi-ethnic land like India, a common language is the unifying force and an important part of our culture. While travelling from one state to another, one can visit our magnificent heritage monuments and temples. People are proudly embracing their culture, traditional cuisine, dialect and attire.

We are the skilled citizens of a great country India. Our country is unique and different from all the countries of the world. I am proud of my culture and civilization. Whenever and wherever I tell anyone that I am an Indian or someone calls me an Indian, I feel proud. We are citizens of a country which has played the role of English in promoting democratic values all over the world. We are proud to be citizens of a democratic country. The culture and civilization of our country is one of the oldest civilizations of the world. This country has also been the country of sages and saints. That is why many great men have also called it the land of gods. Because the culture and civilization of this country has been going on from generation to generation. The culture of our country is based on great moral, pure and divine qualities like sacrifice, love, goodwill, brotherhood, faith etc.  One of the largest collections of songs, dances, theatre, music, folk traditions, paintings and writings, which is known as the ‘intangible cultural heritage of humanity’, all belong to India. Intolerance, secularism, equality, which I am proud of being a citizen of my country and I have received. By applying which in our social life, we can establish peace and create a prosperous society, a world. This culture with a big heart has taught us to love even our enemies. On this land, great men like Lord Shri Ram, Shri Krishna, the epitome of sacrifice, Mahatma Dadhichi, Danveer Karna, the great and truthful King Harishchandra etc. were born. In our country, people of different languages, castes, costumes and different castes live together till Kanyakumari and from Gujarat to Arunachal Pradesh. It is only possible in a great country like India to weave so many different colours in an integrated form. Here people of almost all religions of the world live in harmony with each other. Everyone has the freedom to propagate their religion without any discrimination.

India is also called the country of youth. Our country is also excellent in terms of art. The success that our country has achieved in the field of science and technology has surprised the entire world. Due to nuclear power, India is counted among the powerful countries of the world.

भारतीय संस्कृति में आश्रम – व्यवस्था के साथ धर्म, अर्थ, काम और मोक्ष जैसे चार पुरुषार्थों का विशिष्ट स्थान रहा है। वस्तुत: इन पुरुषार्थों ने ही भारतीय संस्कृति में आध्यात्मिकता के साथ भौतिकता का एक अदभुत समन्वय कर दिया। हमारी संस्कृति में जीवन के ऐहिक और पारलौकिक दोनों पहलुओं से धर्म को सम्बद्ध किया गया था। धर्म उन सिद्धान्तों, तत्त्वों और जीवन प्रणाली को कहते हैं, जिससे मानव जाति परमात्मा प्रदत्त शक्तियों के विकास से अपना लौकिक जीवन सुखी बना सके तथा मृत्यु के पश्चात् जीवात्मा शान्ति का अनुभव कर सके। शरीर नश्वर है, आत्मा अमर है, यह अमरता मोक्ष से जुड़ी हुई है और यह मोक्ष पाने के लिए अर्थ और काम के पुरुषार्थ करना भी ज़रूरी है। इस प्रकार भारतीय संस्कृति में धर्म और मोक्ष आध्यात्मिक सन्देश एवं अर्थ और काम की भौतिक अनिवार्यता परस्पर सम्बद्ध है। आध्यात्मिकता और भौतिकता के इस समन्वय में भारतीय संस्कृति की वह विशिष्ट अवधारणा परिलक्षित होती है, जो मनुष्य के इस लोक और परलोक को सुखी बनाने के लिए भारतीय मनीषियों ने निर्मित की थी। सुखी मानव-जीवन के लिए ऐसी चिन्ता विश्व की अन्य संस्कृतियाँ नहीं करतीं। साहित्य, संगीत और कला की सम्पूर्ण विधाओं के माध्यम से भी भारतीय संस्कृति के इस आध्यात्मिक एवं भौतिक समन्वय को सरलतापूर्वक समझा जा सकता है।

In today’s time, people of Indian origin are spread all over the world. And they are also making a lot of progress. We should be proud of our culture. Just as the followers of other religions wear clothes according to their religion and follow their religion, we should also feel proud and adopt the behavior according to our religion.