A woman’s video from London has sparked a conversation about what happens when cultural traditions travel across borders. In the clip, and Indian woman questions the idea of immersing a Ganesh idol in the River Thames, using sarcasm to make a larger point about celebrating Indian traditions while also respecting the environment and local rules.In an Instagram video, Neelanjana Hazarika Verma first spoke about her pride in being Indian and said people should be able to carry their culture with them wherever they go. But she then turned her attention to the River Thames and the cleanliness around it.“Look at this neighbourhood. It’s one of the most pretty and neatest neighbourhoods in London. Aur yahan pe na, aapko is paani mein ek bhi gandagi nahi milegi. Ek patta tak nahi milega,” she said, referring to the clean surroundings and water.Verma also pointed out that certain activities around the river, such as swimming and feeding birds, are restricted.She then brought up Ganesh Visarjan, the tradition in which devotees immerse Lord Ganesha idols in water at the end of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations.“Hum logon ko kya karna hai, visarjan toh karna hai,” she said, using a sarcastic tone.She continued, “Because we have to promote a culture, right? Toh hum log kya karenge? Ganesh ji ki murti ko lenge aur bas Thames mein phenk denge, because Thames ko bhi toh pavitra karna hai aur apni responsibility se mukt ho gaye hum log, right?”She ended the clip by saying, “Wow! I am so so proud.”
‘Our traditions are beautiful, but…’
Verma explained the point she was trying to make in the caption accompanying the video.“You don’t have to promote your culture this way. Our traditions are beautiful, but so is respecting the environment around us. Please, wherever we go, let’s celebrate our culture responsibly,” she wrote.
Social media erupted
Her message resonated with several people online, who agreed that religious celebrations should take local environmental rules and surroundings into account.“Devotion without responsibility towards nature defeats its own purpose,” one user commented.Another wrote, “Seriously first Ganga Arti at Thames, and now Ganesh Visarjan… I don’t know why people don’t learn from their mistakes.”“Indians can move out of India, but India can’t move out of Indians,” a third user wrote.Some commenters also stressed that responsible celebration could itself be a way of respecting the faith.“This is disrespecting our God too. Visarjan needs to be done the right way,” one person commented.Another user wrote, “Very well said. No wonder we get hate because of this behaviour.”The video has since opened up a wider discussion about how Indian traditions are practised outside the country, and whether celebrating culture abroad also means adapting certain practices to respect local laws and the environment.
