In both of my trips to India I observed that even among the very poor, Indians have a kind of spirituality shining from their faces. I did not detect sadness or anger or resentment. But kindness and inexplicable happiness.
When I was in Islamic Morocco years earlier, the eyes of the very poor and those above them reflected xenophobia, paranoia and hatred toward foreigners. Scary stuff. But this may have changed with the dramatic Westernization of the culture there.
Again, not scientific. Just an observation. India has a spiritual soul emanating from its population of Hindus, Jains, Sikhs and others sects too numerous to mention.
Of course, that was all well before globalization and the millennial call centers in India which have begun to tear at the cultural fabric of the country even while raising incomes.
I just finished watching the Apu Trilogy, the Indian film classic, about a young man coming of age in Bengal. Criterion Films rescued the original film stock which was nearly destroyed in a fire. Absolute classic, filmed all over India. The poverty is overwhelming and sad in the movie although Apu is a Brahmin whose father was a priest. I recommend it to all people interested in India. It is in the Bengal language/dialect with a little English interspersed.
Hi GoKnow! How very cool that you went to India!!!! I have not, but if the Lord wills it, perhaps I may get to go one day.
I trust your observations. I believe that they are correct and reflect a lot of the kind of socialization that their children undergo in their cultures - globalization efforts notwithstanding.
Take a peek at miss marmelstein’s up thread comments. She has been living around Hindus in America for some time, and has some interesting stories too!