The Symphony of Many Festivals

What aspects of your cultural heritage are you most proud of or interested in?

They say heritage is like an old recipe—pass it down, add your twist, and it still tastes like home. For me, my cultural heritage is not confined to a single calendar date or a single faith. It’s the never-ending rhythm of festivals, flavors, and family laughter.

“Culture is the widening of the mind and of the spirit,” said Jawaharlal Nehru. I’d add—it’s also the widening of our waistlines, thanks to Christmas sweets, Diwali laddoos, and Eid biryanis. Who needs a gym membership when you’ve got back-to-back feasts?

What makes me proud is the way our celebrations refuse to stay locked in narrow boxes. Christmas isn’t just mine; my Hindu and Muslim friends light up the tree with me. On Diwali, I join them in bursting crackers. Eid brings its own delight, especially when I’m invited to a friend’s home—because let’s be honest, nothing builds interfaith harmony faster than a plate of perfectly spiced biryani.

Growing up in India means your cultural heritage doesn’t ask for a passport—it welcomes you at every doorstep. Festivals here are less about religion and more about community. From hoisting the tricolor on Independence Day to exchanging sweets on Ganesh Chaturthi, every moment reminds me that joy multiplies when shared.

Family feasts are perhaps the most magical. The making of Christmas sweets isn’t just about sugar and spice, but the stories stirred into the batter, the laughter echoing in the kitchen, and the quiet knowledge that these little rituals bind us stronger than any thread could.

In the end, cultural heritage isn’t something we keep in museums—it’s the music we dance to, the meals we share, and the memories we create together.

“Heritage is not just about where we come from, but about how we celebrate where we are.”

A thought to ponder: If festivals teach us anything, it’s this—light, love, and laughter don’t belong to one community; they belong to everyone willing to celebrate them.