Topic started by Lakshmi (@ 61.1.211.129) on Mon May 14 21:42:48 .
All times in EST +10:30 for IST.

Hi,
I'm Lakshmi.Do we really need to celebrate Family Day,Mothers day etc..?Are we adopting the western culture through these celebrations?Don't we show our love to our family in other days?Why don't we remain as we are now?

Responses:

• Old responses
  
• From: Amitabh (@ proxy1.bur.adelphia.net) on: Mon May 21 17:36:40
  
  Raja,
  I thought I'll not comment again. But I have to respond to you at least just one more time.
  
  First, I am sorry if you felt that I am insulting your family or so. I didnot mean that but if it occurred to you then my fault. Sorry man!
  
  Next, I hope you are Bengali . If yes, then it is a double shame that you donot know "DurgaSasthi" even. It is celebrated on the day before "Saptami" of Durage Puja. Have ever been involved in any Puja? The puja on morning of "Sasthi" starts with a "Matri Bandana". All the slokas that the purohit reads which you never paid attention to maybe are slokas in praise of our mother and lastly I can't believe you donot know that our godesses are called "Maa".Please check again.No wonder your kids will never know.
  "Pujor somoy ektu ki bhagabaner dike mon dite Naki Deshopriyo park e boshe sudhu edik odik takate".
  
  If you are not Bengali then please shut your mouth.
  
  Let me finish finally with this :
  Just because we have multiple culture, religion
  and other diversities we have to adopt Western culture? You scr ewed up again brother.
  
  
  
  
• From: vijay (@ cache145.sc.edu) on: Mon May 21 18:55:17
  
  "Why does a first world country need enrichment from a country that practices the caste system, dowry, sati, bribery, child abuse, woman abuse, daughter-in-law/mother-in-law abuse? BEATS ME!!!
  "
  
  Tamilbabe, so Indian culture incorporates child abuse and bribery..i didnt know that..Thanks for the information :-)
  
  
• From: bull (@ 155.45.172.67) on: Mon May 21 19:12:05
  
  Hey hey.. rejoice ! It is father's friend's second cousin's day! Have you sent your father's friend's second cousin a card today? Do it from www.Holemark.com just for $75 ... we'll throw in a coupla roses free for just another $15 ... enjoy father's friend's second cousin's day!
  
  
• From: Billa (@ 64.209.142.190) on: Mon May 21 19:46:27
  
  Hey! I killed my father's friend's second cousin by putting poison in his dinner. How much should I spend to celebrate it grand??
  
  
• From: Srini (@ 203.117.167.130) on: Mon May 21 21:37:44
  
  Sugrutha:
  
  Everyone seem to like to see things in black and white and I am not suited for this conversation I guess :-). I am sad you too could't help see the difference in letter and spirit :-( Well, for record, to answer Gumidopoondi example, yes if Raksha-Bandhan is embraced with much more gaiety than Kanu-Pongal, it will create some confusion in impressionable minds.
  
  rajaG: You couldn't have got me any further wrong (>1001 reasons not to celebrate<<). Coming to your Christmas example, I have in fact, been an believer in scattered minority Hindus of North America worshipping God in nearby churches instead of building temples left, right and centre. I realize the inadequacy of a post or two to convey what one wants to..especially not having any answer between Yes and No !
  
  Tamil Babe: My earlier post was to just highlight that not everyone opposes such festivities because they arise from West, but because of their big-bang nature leaving native cultures with no time to respond/assimilate. And the example of Tibetan Buddhism was to just underscore that such peaceful assimilation does more good than some evangelizing over FM Channel and Archies like companies. If any eastern 'cult' is to ride on these very new technologies and invade west with a big-bang it's equally bad. I didn't differentiate between West and East in terms of propensity to such casualty or their need to be vigilant. Incidentally, due to the West's pre-eminent's position today, East is being seen to safeguard its roots and traits. There's no reason why West may also not feel the need to conserve their valuables in future. For instance, one already hears that the most famous dish of Britons is "Chicken Tikka Masala" which has overtaken their traditional curries. Well, such things are a cause for concern for them as well as us. It's nothing like east vs. west. It's just plain simple conservers Vs. homogenizers. And you will find people on both hemispheres committed either ways.
  
  
• From: rajaG (@ kcecfp02.sprint.com) on: Tue May 22 08:33:02
  
  Amitabha: No I am not a Bengali. So, in accordance with your "polite" instruction, I will shut my mouth (and let my fingers do the "talking"). Hindus all over India worship Goddesses as Mothers. This is not unique to Bengal or Bangaalees. And where is the extension between worshipping Goddesses as Mothers and NOT celebrating Mothers Day? Since you don't address all the Gods as "Babas" does that mean that you (and in our own words Bengali culture) have no respect/love for your father? Please don't get emotional. Why is everybody trying to prove that "their" love towards their mother is superior to everybody else's. Nobody question the adequacy/inadequacy of anybody's love.
  
  What's wrong with adopting a Western Culture, if it is good? The very fact that Mother's Day became popular (at an "alarming rate" per some participants here) conveys that, hitherto, there was not a "popularly celebrated occasion" to commemmorate that. Plus, where do we stop the line in this "us vs. their's" and present vs. traditional demarcation. Just for argument's sake (I repeat Just for arguments sake) if it turns out that the Alta which you so emotionally decorate your mother's feet with, is an import to the Bengali culture from some gypsies from Timbactu, are you going to disown it? Or does it become "authentic" merely because you have been practicing it ever since you have known about it. If so, give Mother's Day a chance - something tells me it will stand the test of time. It may not represent Hallmark cards or FTD flowers, but those are symbolic. The spirit is the one that matters.
  
  Bottom line - I am yet to hear from a present/future Mother that she objects to the celebration of Mother's Day. If Sugrutha and Tamil Babe are taken as representatives of that group, then I think Mother's Day is a welcome addition to our culture.
  
  
• From: Sugrutha (@ 65.11.240.45) on: Tue May 22 18:14:42
  
  rajaG,
  
  You did not count Lakshmi's vote :-) So we are split 2 to 1.
  
  
• From: sssssssss (@ 210.186.101.115) on: Tue May 22 23:19:14
  
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  Everything is there.
  
  Have a look please
  
  
  
  
  
• From: rajaG (@ 208.24.179.207) on: Wed May 23 09:01:14
  
  Sugrutha: I stand corrected. Mental Note - No flowers/cards for Lakshmi on Mother's day:-)
  
  
• From: Tamil Babe (@ 204.50.249.131) on: Thu Jun 7 01:33:14
  
  rajaG and Sugrutha,
  Nice posts and you guys maintain a nice sense of humour too. :).. I think rajaG has mentioned all the advantages of celebrating a Mother's day. Thanks btw. Hence I have no need to reply to the others especially ones like Amitabh who resort to personal attacks and typecast someone as a "confused desi". Just for your information Amitabh, I have been living in the west aka Canada for the past 3.5 years and I have spend the rest of my life in the Indian subcontinent. Only one so "confused" as you would jump to generalizations about someone.
  
  P.S. to Amitabh - I was the first baby-teen singer in my bhajan group back home. I knew all the mantras, slokas, songs, hymns etc. by heart and I sung them on all occasions. Gee I really need a lesson about our religion and culture now? LOL
  
  
• From: BUBBLE SORT (@ ) on: Sat Mar 20 22:01:34
  
  BUBBLE SORT
  
  

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