Page 67 - MASALA Magazine Vol.15 Issue 2 | December 2023 - January 2024

Community members reveal why they
haven’t visited the Motherland,
and their expectations of it. I think India is the perfect example of a cosmopolitan chaos of
food, culture, shopping, iconic buildings, and scenery. I imagine it
B Y KIR AN KHANIJO W to be all these things infused with the richness of its history. India
is also well known for the huge gap between the wealthy and the
poor, and my mother always told us about the unkind sights of the
harsh living conditions of the poorer members of society – people
living under bridges, and homelessness in every city. It certainly
would be an eye-opener to see the reality, knowing that it is my
Motherland.

Nevertheless, I think if I travelled to India, it would certainly exceed
my expectations. Indian food is no doubt a favourite around the
world, and this is what I would most look forward to. I imagine it’d
be like one’s Facebook feed, where you randomly see videos of
AQEELA ALLIE street food everywhere. It’d be culinary art at every corner. Besides
Primary School the food, the country is a hub for both Eastern and Western fashion.
Teacher I expect that I would be enthralled by the fashion choices in the
markets and the malls. You hear of brands such as Sabyasachi that
I haven’t travelled to incorporate both tradition and innovation into their designs, and
India yet because it this is something that cannot be duplicated in the Western world.
almost feels like I can’t So yes, India would definitely exceed my expectations in many
relate to the culture, having avenues. I also look forward to sightseeing and understanding
been born and raised in a my heritage, possibly visiting the villages my grandparents called
completely different country. home. I’d love to meet my other relatives, and hear stories about
It’s an idea that would just be my loved ones.
the same as travelling to any other
different country – to experience its Ultimately, India is the home of my roots. I believe that if one does
culture and history, etc. My parents themselves only go to India not have an understanding of their heritage, you don’t really know
if they have to. They haven’t been since my grandparents passed where to put your piece of the puzzle of human identity. I hope
on, and we don’t have any close relatives living there anymore. I’m able to experience its richness and diversity one day.

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