I sometimes think maybe I was born in India in my former life, as I'm very fond of India-made,products such as fabrics, kitchenware, household stuff, soaps, herbs, handwork etc... I even don't have to check the label to know whether an item is made in India or not. That says a great deal.
The import from India is quite limited , but I've got items accumulated over the years, so I'm "well-equipped", so to speak, especially in the textile department. I love their fluffy skirts in summer, and their cotton tops during the whole year. Such delicacy of design, color and shape! Their cotton, silk, and rayon fabrics are natural and of finest quality.
I used to wash my hands and face with 'medimix' bar of soap, (Ayurveda based with 18 herbs among its ingredients), but since I can't get hold of the mini version, I turned to other options. I do take some interest in the old India Ayurvedic medicine system as it has many benefits, advocating good natural health practices such as meditation, yoga, herb extracts.
I'm not familiar though with people of indian descent. I suppose they are good-natured, and I know they are very gifted. Zubin Mehta, for example, is one of the leading orchestral conductors in the world. He was appointed musical advisor to the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra in 1969, and in 1981 became its Music Director for life.
Strange, but the almost daily mention of the covid -19 indian variant seems to affect me personally. It interferes with my good opinion on things originating from India. (by the way, the virus is 'back in town', probably never left).
The indian variant Delta is said to help antibodies evade and bond more easily to the lung cells. Great efforts are made at the Ben Gurion airport to prevent 'import" of the variant by tourists. May God help! We can help as well by working on strengthening our immunity, and wearing masks.
Definitely yes on wearing of the masks. So far in California it seems as though the majority of people are wearing their masks, which is so reassuring to myself and my mom, there is no way we will take chances. I don't know if we will ever go back to our true normal, as for me everything I touch outside of my home makes me feel dirty and scared, so wipes are always necessary and I never used to be a germaphobe. I hope you are well and that soon you can once again not feel scared to enjoy items originating from India. Stay safe dear DUTA.
ReplyDeleteHi Alicia, good for you and your Mom to stick to the masks.
DeleteI'm not scared of touching items, as I believe the virus is transmitted through coughing and sneezing particles.
Stay safe you too!
Stay safe!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christine. I thing the 'stay safe' applies to all of us.
DeleteThe western part of my state (five hours away) has become a hotbed of the Delta variant, although the vast majority of people getting ill were not vaccinated. STUPID!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure it has to do with he number of vaccinations. People are exaggerating about the part it plays in the decline of virus spreading.
DeleteYou will love the Indian people. Of the small number I have met, they are really a terrific people. The variant could have happened anywhere you have an individual who has long term Covid. India certainly suffered.
ReplyDeleteMy region of the United States is vulnerable in there are a substantial number of people spooked by the vaccine. All those internet people who created and supported these fears may regret the lack of control of Covid due to their actions. Well in a fair world they would.
Yes,the usual I hear about indian people is that they're good-natured and kind.
DeleteDoctors in my country intend to sue all those that publicly support and encourage anti-vaccine attitude.
I am not sure I would know if something was made in India or not. I was fascinated back in the late 1990s to hear a story on the public radio station about how American companies were going down to India to train workers there to do jobs because it was less expensive for labor there. Like customer service jobs. They would work with the people to learn the American dialect in talking, give them American sounding names, etc. in an effort to cut labor jobs. Lots of jobs went there including eventually my former profession of medical transcription. It was way less expensive to do it in India than the States though often the quality of the reports weren't as good as one produced by an American transcriptionist. So whenever I think of India, I think of the loss of jobs Americans used to hold (and its not the fault of the Indian people but the greedy American companies).
ReplyDeleteWe are never going to be done with this virus. It will be another variant and then another and then another.
betty
Indeed, India is one of the main 'outsource' countries used by the West to get labor done cheaply. You're of course, right.The loss of jobs by american people is because of the greed of american companies , not because of the indian workers.
DeleteMy family, on both sides, came from Russia and there are no other genes that have mixed in since. Yet I too believe that I must have been influenced in utero by other national specialties that remained into adult life:
ReplyDelete1. French Huguenot gold and silver works from the late 17th century,
2. Israeli and Lebanese food, and most of all
3. pure Dupioni Indian silk fabric.
You've mentioned things that are also a major attraction in my life: israeli/lebanese food, silk fabric, old gold and silver works.
DeleteInteresting you are drawn to somethings Indian. They do have beautiful things as colleagues of mine some years back were Indian and their clothing was beautiful, it felt beautiful to touch and what they decorated their house with were gorgeous things. Australia has many Indians living within and even our State of Tasmania has quite a few.
ReplyDeleteStill no Covid here but it's taken a little hold in some areas of Australia and of course people, well some carry on because they are in lockdown - We are have to be vigilant in our State though and it makes sense that we do.
Take care, and do be careful.
I'm indeed very drawn to indian stuff, clothing in particular as it suits our kind of weather and it definitely suits my style: simple, light, inexpensive.
DeleteThere is a great gama of indian products, especially ayurvedic ones. I like their soaps and 'medimix' is one of them.
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful post. My boss is of "Indian" descent by way of Trinidad. She wore red for her wedding and of course, always gives me advice on to better my health. She only drinks tea with a little lemon and lots of veggie yet spicy dishes. What I have learned from her is that she certainly knows how to use her ingenuity and family is very important.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like this is another summer of wearing the mask.
Thank you.
DeleteRed for her wedding - that's quite unusual! Listen to her advice on health, as indians have good knowledge of what is healthy and what not.
Yes, it looks like it. I don't mind as the mask seems to have eliminated the flu from my life, and that's not a minor matter. Flu can be very nasty.
Not enough people are taking this virus seriously and won't take the vaccine. Our new cases of Covid are on the rise here as well.
ReplyDeleteIt's children that are getting vaccinated now.
DeleteWe'll probably have to learn to live with it. People are against a repeat of lockdowns and closing of places. So far, it's kept low and stable. We shall have to see further.
I have seen many India-made products in stores here, mostly textiles like bedsheets and towels, but not the ones you mentioned in this post, Duta.
ReplyDeleteYes, they do have bedsheets and towels I like. However,you might have seen products that are more adapted to the western/american modern taste.
DeleteI didn't know that Zubin Mehta is of Indian descent. He is a brilliant leading orchestral conductor. I have watched many videos with him ... he is amazing.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Brilliant conductor,indeed. He was born in Bombay, India. His father was the founder and conductor of the Bombay Symphonic Orchestra.
DeleteZubin studied and performed in many parts of the world.
I hope it gets easier to find that soap again for you soon, and that you are able to stay safe. it's so sad that this virus is still around but I really hope things get back to normal for you all soon! We are doing well with keeping the virus out in Australia but as our government didn't think we would need a lot of vaccines we go back to restrictions when the virus gets out of quarantine, as we don't have enough vaccines to protect our hospital workers! It's so sad. We are back to masks for now, but it should hopefully be lifted in a week!
ReplyDeleteHope you are having a nice week! :)
Away From The Blue
Hi Mica,
DeleteI'm not eager to get rid of the mask any soon,as I think it protects from all kinds of viruses such as the flu virus.' for example.
It's a simple and efficient means of protection. Vaccines are rather more complicated.
Wishing you a wonderful, safe week!
Very interesting post
ReplyDeleteI hope so. Thanks for coming by.
DeleteI would imagine that you are right, the virus never left. There wasn't enough tracing and testing with such a large population.
ReplyDeleteThere's one good thing in all this sad affair.From the beginning of the pandemic and so far, no flu. I suppose its due to the mask. In the past even with the flu vaccine I got it, and it was quite nasty.
DeleteI sometimes wonder about being part of a certain culture or place in a past lifetime. For me, it is England. It has been since I was probably 13 or 14. There was no rational reason for it then, or really now. Just that strong feeling. The first time I went I knew exactly where I was going and how to get there with great confidence -- and I'd never been out of the country before. Was I just prepared? Maybe. But it feels deeper than that. I understand exactly what you are saying and it makes perfect sense to me.
ReplyDeleteThat's both interesting and strange to have that feeling.
DeleteI've never been even close to India, but am familiar with a lot of its products and feel greatly attached to them.
I like textiles from India too, along with jewelry and the cuisine. Have a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteן'm not surprised.There are lots of people out there who can appreciate fine quality work.
DeleteWishing you a blessed new week!
Oh! I love Zubin Mehta...and have done since I watched a brilliant documentary about him way back in the early 70s! Wonderful! Wonderful! :)
ReplyDeleteHe had not only good physical appearance, but also charisma, and of course, great musical talent. I hear he's not well now, undergoing some medical treatment.
DeleteI wouldn't use the word 'easy', but possible. The internet makes it possible for us to get products from all over the world.
ReplyDeleteGreat post Duta! I like textiles from India too! I agree, we have to keep wearing masks and build up our immune system! Big Hugs!
ReplyDeleteWell, I like it when people agree with me. In your comment you agree both to my liking indian textiles and to my belief that wearing masks and strengthening immunity are important.
Delete