taking India global - the cultural perspective

"Wish u merry Christmas" read the message in my inbox. Oh ya, that reminds me its Christmas time. it's that time of the year when we look forward to Santa Claus with all the gifts that he has for us and the jingle bells. There is so much of fanfare all around. you just have to walk into the Malls or any of the Star (and non star) hotels to see the upbeat mood. everyone is celebrating. There are christmas parties and christmas special shopping (it will make your pockets lighter by couple of thousands though). It's festivities all around.

But it makes me wonder, why do indians celebrate christmas with so much of pomp and show, atleast in Metros and other bigger cities and towns (not that i am against any religion or festival, i party myself too). i don't remember ever receiving message in my inbox for Janmastami or Ramnaumi or eid for that matter. The only other festivals which come closer to the level of celebration is Diwali and to some extent holi. What is about christmas that make us merry. Is it something to do with, that the most powerful and the richest nation of the world is predominantly Christian and celebrates Christmas. Is it yet another import of the west on the east. With 1.02 billion(and counting) Indians and the NRI diaspora across the globe, why have the Indian festivals not become the global festivals. Why a Diwali is not celebrated with as much fanfare in West.

This is not to say that we should not celebrate when the world is celebrating, but its about taking the Indianness global. Its about not only importing their culture but also exporting our Indian culture. Then only will we be able to become truly global.