CONTEST ENTRY - What do you love more about your country

Namaste everyone, Greetings from India 🇮🇳....

At the very outset, I would like to thank @belenguerra for being such a nice host and creating a contest on such an engaging topic. Hope you are recovering well after your surgery. I am a beginner in the #Steemit platform. Here's my entry to the contest.

India is a land of Unity in Diversity. From the mighty Himalayas in the north, across the vast plains and plateaus to the southern tip of Kanyakumari touching the Indian Ocean, from the western margins of Gujarat to the seven sister states in the north-east, this land has a rich history, heritage, culture and tradition.

There are an estimated 122 major languages and 234 other recognised mother tongues in India. People belonging to a multitude of ethnicity and religious variations live here. It won't be wrong to say that the food, culture, language and tradition changes every 50km here. That's goes down well with the tag of 'Unity in Diversity'.

Here I describe about the one thing I love most about my country.....

What's this

To begin with, this is not an object. You can't see it or touch it. You don't find it in photographs. It's a feeling. Yes, you read it right.

'Atithi Devo Bhava' (Sanskrit sloka/phrase) is an age old tradition that has passed down across generations among us Indians. It translates to 'Guests are equivalent to Gods' in English. Indians take great satisfaction in hospitality and service to mankind.

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Why do I love it

I love it because I believe service to mankind is beyond any other service in this world. Our deeds define us. In today's world, guests arrive after confirming us over phone call. We get time to arrange everything, this feels a bit dull and made up, artificial. In olden days, when there was no telecommunication, guests would drop by suddenly. This would be a surprise for the hosts, they would be very happy to see them after a long time. They would cook their meal together, hang out over endless conversations for hours. This was more fun than it is now. Still, the hospitality and service to visitors are a part of the age old traditions.

Have you ever met this (place, person, anything you've chosen)

As I said, this is just an emotion. You can't meet it but can feel it.

Is this something that has a long history in your country?

Yes. This is a basic code of conduct as per ancient Hindu law books which were written long ago. This has passed down through generations and is a part of the Indian lifestyle, ethos.

Is this in the entire country or only in some cities?

Yes, this is a tradition that is followed over the length and breadth of the entire country irrespective of caste, creed and race.

Most of the people love it?

Hosts feel it is their moral duty to satisfy the Guests who are form of God. (Atithi Devo Bhava --- Guests are Gods).

Do you know what the tourists think about it?

Guests appreciate the hospitality in most cases I guess. That is evident from travel vlogs of Youtubers. They enjoy their time India and want to come back to India again.

Can you enjoy it all year long?

110% Yes. ☺️😁

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For those who aren't still clear about it, just keep this in mind....*its when you have done your bit to satisfy the guests, the guests thank you and you say 'pleasure is all mine' in return with a true and transparent heart.

That's all folks. See you people soon. Meanwhile, Steem On.

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CC: @belenguerra, @worldgeography, @steemitblog, @steemcurator01, @steemcurator02