Culture is the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group; also : the characteristic features of everyday existence shared by people in a place or time (merriam-webster.com). Culture is something that makes us all unique. It separates us from others, and gives us our own identities. Ever since i was a kid, i identified myself as an Indian. This however is not as accurate as i once thought. I now identify myself as an Indian American. This is the main culture that i am a part of. This defines my identity, and has influenced my way of life. Different indian festivals is a part of my culture that has influenced me quite a bit. Often trips to India is another thing that has shaped who i am today.
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There are many festivals in indian culture that are a very large portion in my life. Festivals are a time of giving and happiness. It allows us to take time and celebrate our culture and bring our country here for a day. Certain festivals have even started to be influenced into american society. One example of this is Diwali. This is the festival of lights. This is a time where we light fireworks, and give small gifts while spending time with our loved ones. Unfortunately majority of my family lives in india, but we still celebrate with our friends. Every year we have a huge party where we get together to celebrate the day. It 's been a tradition for all the guys to go to Phantom Fireworks and buy hundreds of dollars worth of fireworks to light up the sky with an array of indian culture and pride. The conversations that usually happen consist of my dad saying, “Hey do you guys want this fountain,” and one of the other dads would respond with, “Of course, let 's get five!” It 's always fun going and seeing all the new things there. Other than diwali there are other festivals that are just as important. One of these is raksha bandhan. This is a festival where brothers take a day to honor their sisters. During this festival we are st down, and given sweets by our sisters. After they tie a rakhi around your wrist, which is similar to a bracelet. In return we give them money praying for their well being. This is one of my sister 's …show more content…
His story is one that pushes me everyday to strive to be the best i can be. His story goes back to about 48 years ago when he was born in a small village. His family didn 't have much money, and not much saved up. My father did do the one thing that was free for everyone to do. That is study. He was a very smart kid and always at the top in his class. He eventually moved away to a city living with some distance relatives so that he could pursue his education. He left his family at the age of eight just to go to school. Over time he never slacked, or so i 'm told, and continued his education. He eventually took an engineering test equivalent to the MCAT in India. He scored the 2nd or 3rd highest score in the entire university. With his degree he moved to vizag where he worked in a steel plant. This is what he was doing when he married my mother. Throughout his whole time working at the steel plant, he was trying to get a job in America, so that he could get a work visa. Eventually he got a job and moved by himself to a new country with a language he is not amazing at. He went up and up, and is now comfortably living as an IT engineer, building a huge house in the very village he grew up in. I alway ask him, “Daddy, do you ever want to move back to India.” He always smiles and replies, “Anand, the second you and Anjani (my sister) are settled down, we are moving back to India.” This is a little sad, but i realize that
There are many festivals in indian culture that are a very large portion in my life. Festivals are a time of giving and happiness. It allows us to take time and celebrate our culture and bring our country here for a day. Certain festivals have even started to be influenced into american society. One example of this is Diwali. This is the festival of lights. This is a time where we light fireworks, and give small gifts while spending time with our loved ones. Unfortunately majority of my family lives in india, but we still celebrate with our friends. Every year we have a huge party where we get together to celebrate the day. It 's been a tradition for all the guys to go to Phantom Fireworks and buy hundreds of dollars worth of fireworks to light up the sky with an array of indian culture and pride. The conversations that usually happen consist of my dad saying, “Hey do you guys want this fountain,” and one of the other dads would respond with, “Of course, let 's get five!” It 's always fun going and seeing all the new things there. Other than diwali there are other festivals that are just as important. One of these is raksha bandhan. This is a festival where brothers take a day to honor their sisters. During this festival we are st down, and given sweets by our sisters. After they tie a rakhi around your wrist, which is similar to a bracelet. In return we give them money praying for their well being. This is one of my sister 's …show more content…
His story is one that pushes me everyday to strive to be the best i can be. His story goes back to about 48 years ago when he was born in a small village. His family didn 't have much money, and not much saved up. My father did do the one thing that was free for everyone to do. That is study. He was a very smart kid and always at the top in his class. He eventually moved away to a city living with some distance relatives so that he could pursue his education. He left his family at the age of eight just to go to school. Over time he never slacked, or so i 'm told, and continued his education. He eventually took an engineering test equivalent to the MCAT in India. He scored the 2nd or 3rd highest score in the entire university. With his degree he moved to vizag where he worked in a steel plant. This is what he was doing when he married my mother. Throughout his whole time working at the steel plant, he was trying to get a job in America, so that he could get a work visa. Eventually he got a job and moved by himself to a new country with a language he is not amazing at. He went up and up, and is now comfortably living as an IT engineer, building a huge house in the very village he grew up in. I alway ask him, “Daddy, do you ever want to move back to India.” He always smiles and replies, “Anand, the second you and Anjani (my sister) are settled down, we are moving back to India.” This is a little sad, but i realize that