As the world continues to reel under the devastating effects of the corona virus, various messages and videos abound on how well Indians are tackling this epidemic. This has spawned a host of content on how several customs, traditionally practised in the Indian households, have not only kept the average man safe, but have also proved useful as a precautionary measure against illnesses in general. So much so that, Prince Charles of Wales, was recently seen greeting world leaders with a Namaste, in a video that went viral. This has led to a debate on the feasibility of adopting Indian practices in place of their Western counterparts. Here’s a look at 5 such Indian customs for you to ponder over:-
# 1: Leaving Footwear Outside the House
With the advent of the British in India began the widely popular habit of wearing footwear even within the home – a practice that many elders in the family tend to frown upon even today. The West follows this for a good reason – often they have hardwood, marble floors which are highly polished, and as a result, slippery – which makes wearing shoes a good choice. Also, the weather in Europe and the States tend to be much colder than the humid Indian climate – which makes people cling on to the warm comfort of their shoes. However, it is advisable to remember that dirt, slush and soil stick to your footwear, and can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Rubbing them on the mat at the door does not completely remove them, and you risk infecting your home as well. Outside most Indian houses, we find that usually a tap outlet is given at the entrance – this is to wash your hands and feet thoroughly before entering. Given the contagious nature of the corona virus, practising this today makes sense.
# 2: Drinking Boiled Water
Many foreigners are amazed at the different coloured drinks they see when they visit Kerala – and are even more astonished to find out that these are just plain water! Seeds of cumin, caraway and fenugreek, as well as various powders made of ginger, tulsi, vetiver and Pathimukham (East Indian Redwood tree), flavoured lightly with cardamom, cloves or cinnamon, are used while boiling drinking water to enhance its potency, and sipped warm or cold throughout the day. Many senior citizens, even today, do not touch the mineral water bottles available commonly, but instead prefer to travel with pre-packed bottles of flavoured water. This not only protects them from catching infections easily, but also keeps their immunity in tact even while being exposed to foreign climates or food.
# 3: Avoiding Food During Sunset
With the advent of Swiggy and late-night TV shows, it has become impossible to wean millennials away from having a heavy dinner at 10 PM or bingeing on late-night snacks. However, Indians traditionally used to avoid having food between 5 PM to 7 PM – the period known as Sandhya or Suryasth – when it was believed that germs pervaded the atmosphere, thereby increasing the toxicity of food prepared or consumed at that time. In order to dispel such microbes in the air, people used to take a bath and light lamps or diyas with cotton wicks and ghee. This fire was considered purifying, and was believed to detoxify the surroundings. Even dinner after this period was kept light, with people traditionally consuming only rice kanji or khitchdi which was easy on the digestive system and promoted a peaceful sleep.
# 4: Eating With Hands
If there is one practice that marks a typical Indian, it is the ready way in which he uses his hands instead of cutlery while dining. This Western practise gained ground in India when soups and steaks were introduced in restaurants – where businessmen made deals with their clients over the table. Eating with cutlery is still considered classy, as people prefer shaking hands to eating with them. However, many studies have pointed out how germs breed on cutlery, especially those used in restaurants, and how regular usage of spoons and forks washed with detergent can accumulate chemical residues in the human body over time. In the face of the corona virus epidemic, people have started appreciating the advantages of eating food with hands that have been washed with soap or sanitised, lessening the effects of any possible contamination from their silverware.
# 5: Fasting Intermittently Throughout the Year
Although many Westerners observe fast during Lent, Indians, as a rule, observe some kind of fasting or the other throughout the year. These not only include the fortnightly Ekadashi or the monthly Amavasya fasting, but also include the Navrathras and the famous 41-day Sabarimala fast. Depending on the type and region involved, it ranges from excluding grains and meat to complete absence of food for a set period. By regularly avoiding intake of certain food, our bodies start eliminating toxins, restoring its gut balance, and healing inflammation. Many now consider this a good way to prevent an onset of any virus, by cleaning our bodies from within.
So, what do you think? Should we start adopting more Indian customs in our daily life? Do let us know in the comments below.
