This is the time of year Gandhinagar is all decked up like a newly wed bride. All colourful lighting is a treat to the eyes at night. All this, due to the 9th Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit.
I’m not sure whether Gujarat is as Vibrant as it is potrayed.. but I’m sure that India truly is. VG gave me a chance to experience this. I had my duty at the VIRASAT Art and Craft SARAS Mela organized at River Front, Ahmedabad.
As a part of my duty, I had to look after artisans and SHG members from other states who had been alloted stalls. In due course of their registration process, I got to know a few of them. I could exactly understand how they felt in an alien state very far away from their home, very far away from a language they knew. Office and work place felt similar to me as these artisans had a feeling in their heart and a strain on their face, a strain of alienation.
As days passed, I befriended few of the more communicative people. I had a soft corner for people from the east and south. I enjoyed the smile on their face when I asked them ,”Kemon acho” or “Kemti acho” or “enteakkeyunt”. That smile on their face would get even brighter when I would tell them about my little knowledge in their language and culture.
I bought a few things from their stalls , at discounted price ! Today while on my regular round, I gave the feedback for a neem soap I’d bought from a Kerala stall, and that man was so delighted. Another stall gave me a hand woven stol as a gift.
As I got back to my car today, i was all smiles as I had all those memories running in my mind. I was thoroughly happy that I could make them feel home by my small gesture to understand their language.
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