Respecting and Celebrating Our Shared Heritage ​By John Aguiar

 

Respecting and Celebrating Our Shared Heritage

​By John Aguiar

​As the festive season approaches, our home begins to glow with the anticipation of Deepotsav. Every year, we welcome Diwali with great fervor. The celebrations start early in the morning, following the ritual burning of the Narkasur effigy, as we light traditional lamps and hang lanterns (Akashkandils) throughout our home. Following the ritual morning bath, we savor the traditional bitter fruit and enjoy five different varieties of poha.

​A Blend of Traditions

​My life is a beautiful tapestry of mixed cultures. My wife, Savita, and our children, Navdeep and Anjali, are Hindu, and I wholeheartedly join the family in celebrating these festivals. Since 2016, we have also been celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi, performing the Ganesh Puja at our home in Pheni, Verem.

​While we immerse ourselves in Hindu traditions, we also celebrate Christmas and Easter with equal joy. I fondly remember my childhood when we would make handmade lanterns at home weeks before Diwali. Today, life is busier, and we often buy ready-made lamps, but the spirit remains unchanged. My son, Navdeep, married a Hindu girl, Navyashi, and I am now the proud grandfather of a grandson named Niwan.

​Roots and Language

​I am the only son in my family, and my mother was Hindu (GSB). Growing up, Diwali was the most joyful time—filled with memories of firecrackers and endless boxes of sweets.

​People are often surprised to hear me speak Konkani with a Hindu accent, write Hindu devotional songs (Bhaktigeete), or compose Marathi songs. Though I studied in an English medium school at St. Mary’s High School, it was my mother’s vision that shaped me. She was a retired Marathi primary school teacher and taught me Marathi at home, narrating stories from the Puranas and the fundamentals of Hindu culture. Simultaneously, my father, aunt, and cousins instilled in me the foundations of the Christian faith.

​The Philosophy of "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam"

​Every year, we look forward to Diwali—the new clothes, the evening Puja performed by my wife, and the delicious spread of sweets. Our celebrations of Christmas and Easter are equally traditional. We live by the motto "Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam"—the belief that the entire world is one family.

​It is vital that children learn to respect and celebrate their joint heritage. Because of the initiative taken by their parents, our children love the grandeur of these traditions. Our festivals are an explosion of color, from the attire to the cuisine, and seeing my children take pride in their Indian heritage brings me immense joy.

​Multiculturalism is a healthy way to look at the world. We strive to give our children a life of integrity and hope they grow up to be good global citizens. I feel incredibly fortunate to live such a diverse and culturally rich life.