I don’t know how to explain it, but I’ve always felt a kind of soft spot for India. It’s not something I talk about all the time, but it’s there. I’ve never been there, but I’ve watched their movies since I was a small girl, and somehow, those movies stuck with me. They showed me a side of life that was different from what I knew, but still easy to connect with.
I remember sitting in front of the TV watching Indian films with my siblings. We didn’t always understand every word, but the emotions were loud and clear. Whether it was a love story, family drama, or just some dancing and singing in the rain, it always had a way of drawing us in. I can’t even count how many times I watched Kuch Kuch Hota Hai or Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham without getting tired. Those stories had heart.
Maybe that’s how my quiet interest in India started. Just by watching. And from there, I started noticing other things, the way they dress, the colours, the food, the music, the culture in general. Nothing too deep, but enough to make me admire how they live. It’s not perfect, no country is, but there's a lot of things I’ve come to respect about India over time.
One thing I like is how they carry their traditions. You see it in their weddings, their festivals, and even in simple family gatherings. They celebrate big, and I like that. Life is short, and it’s beautiful when people make time to celebrate with their loved ones.
And the food? Even though I haven’t had the chance to try most Indian dishes, I already know from watching YouTube and Instagram reels that their food game is strong. It looks spicy and rich, and I really hope I get to taste the real thing one day, not the watered down versions we sometimes get outside.
I’ve also noticed how strong family ties are over there. It’s something that really stands out in the movies and even in real life from what I see online. They don’t joke with their parents and elders. It’s not forced, just a natural part of life for them. That kind of respect is something we need more of everywhere.
Then there’s the music. From emotional slow songs to the fast Bollywood beats, there’s always a song for the moment. I’ve found myself vibing to songs I don’t even understand just because of the way they sound. Music really is a universal language.
I think over the years, without even planning it, I’ve learned a lot from India just by observing. Not everything is perfect, and I don’t see the country with rose-colored glasses. But the truth is, I’ve grown to appreciate it in my own quiet way. I might never go there, or maybe I will, who knows, but I do respect what I see from afar.
To the IndiaUnited community here on Hive, I just wanted to share this little piece of my experience. It might not be much, but it’s real. Sometimes, love for a place doesn’t come from travelling there, it comes from the way it made you feel over the years, even from your own small corner of the world.
Thanks for your time
