Namaste India

Namaste INDIA


In 2017 Donald Trump refused to shake a hand with a German politician. Take the case of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. She was recently snubbed by the Interior Minister of Germany Horst Seehofer after she extended her hand to exchange a warm greeting. He refused, politely. Was it coronavirus fear!.These incidents set me thinking as to how our ancestors had insulated us from infections by teaching us to say Namaste.My curiosity led to the following information.

In the contemporary era, Namaḥ means 'bow', 'obeisance', 'reverential salutation' or 'adoration' and te means 'to you'. Therefore, Namaste literally means "bowing to you". In Hinduism, it also has a spiritual import reflecting the belief that "the divine and self (atman, soul) is same in you and me", and connotes "I bow to the divine in you". According to sociologist Holly Oxhandler, it is a Hindu term which means, “the sacred in me recognizes the sacred in you”.


Anti-handshake movement is spreading fast. The Institute of Biological, Environmental, and Rural Sciences, Research has shown has shown how greetings like the high five and fist bump, instead of the traditional handshake, can dramatically reduce the transmission of infectious diseases. Paediatrics at the neonatal intensive care units of University of California, Los Angeles, have come up with “Handshake-Free Zones,” to help reduce the spread of germs. AIIMS started a Namaste campaign, with doctors and nurses joining hands in a namaste to greet everyone and reduce the risk of infection.
So, how do you greet someone in these times of corona, especially when refusing someone a handshake is sure to give the wrong impression? Simple. A namaste. Join your hands, flash a smile, bow down a bit and say, "Namaste." And you are safe from contracting the coronavirus.
There are five reasons why you should go back to the Namaste instead of those hugs and kisses in these times.

No physical contact
First and foremost, a namaste does not involve any physical contact with the other person. You won't even appear rude
If you refuse someone a hug or a handshake, you are surely going be perceived as a rude person. But why worry? Namaste hai na!
Best way to greet seniorsA lot of us in India are raised with the habit of greeting elders with a Namaste which signifies paying respect..
Most hygienic form of greeting
Since Namaste does not involve touching the other person, it is considered the most hygienic form of greeting. There is no potential risk of causing transfer of germs or getting infected. And lastly, you can also flaunt your desi-cool with namaste. Let us just admit that being desi is the new cool. If you swap the regular handshakes with a namaste, you are surely going to be the hot topic of discussion - be it in office, school or college.
Apart from hugs,high five,fist bump etc different countries follow different ways.Let us see some of them.
Namaste is used as a sign of respect and a greeting in Laos,Cambodia,Srilanka,Thailand and Indonesia.
It is also used among East Asian Buddhists, It expresses politeness, courtesy, honour, and hospitality from one person to the other. It is used in goodbyes as well.
Botswana handshake! To perform this, you have to follow 3 steps: extend your right arm, place your left hand on your right elbow, and press hands together; Interlock your hand with the other person’s, interlacing thumbs; and then return to the original position and say “Lae kae?” which means “How are you?” in Setswana.
Malays usually stretch out their hands and touch the other person’s fingertips and then bring their hands to their hearts. It symbolizes that they’re greeting you from their hearts.
The traditional Māori greeting, known as hongi, is similar to the oman greeting except they also press their foreheads together and look at each others eye[NEWZEALAND]
In Oman, men often greet each other by pressing their noses together. People greet each other with a bow in Japan. Depending on the person they are greeting, and their social status, bows differ in angle and duration. Fighting battle of the bulge it is difficult for us to follow this.
Tibetan monks stick their tongue out to greet people. They also press the hands together and place them in front of their chest to show that they “come in peace”. They started doing this to prove that they’re not the reincarnation of a cruel king from the 9th century who had a black tongue.
In Rwanda the other person closes his fist, turns it downward and offers his wrist. This is if a person has dirty hands, he presents his wrist instead. And if both people have dirty hands, they will touch wrists together.

In Thailand a bit like “Namaste” in yoga and Sanskrit, the Thai “Wai” is a traditional greeting that involves pressing the palms of the hands together and then bowing the head forward. “Greeting each other with a wai is a sign of respect. In my opinion this is the most graceful way of greeting.

Hugs and kisses on the cheek are a BIG NO

SAY NAMASTE TO OUR FOREFATHERS FOR HAVING FORESEEN LIFE THREATENING CONTIGENCIES AND TAUGHT US NAMASTE ,THE SAFEST WAY OF GREETING OTHERS.

Inputs from Wikipedia,you tube,news paper reports and magazine coverage.Most of the text is copied from these sources.

 

There is no need to bow as a sign of servitude as we have our own strength and being courted by the high and mighty for access to our insatiable market.I will quote what poet Bharathi said in some other connection;
NIMIRNTHA NANNADAI NER KONDA -PARVAIYUM
NILATHIL YAARKUM ANJADHA NERIGALUM
THIMIRNDHA GNANA CHERUKUM IRUPADHAL
our Namaste will be straight but humble.
I enjoyed your comments particularly that corona virus is not Anju Bobby George.
Regards.SLN

 

• Globalisation does not mean that we surrender our identity backed by good and healthy practices passed on to us for generations.In the recent call by PM Modi for ladies to handle his social media accounts,one lady has suggested that this is the right time for women to replace shaking hands and hugging by Namaste.
• SLN