Dharmika Symbols being Methodically "Erased"

[Prashant Parikh]

Om. Sharing a few events from my own life regarding the role of Dharmika Symbolism, based on Guru Prasad's post above. If you want to skip the details, please jump to the LAST 2 PARAGRAPHS 1. I can't remember a single exam since childhood when I did not write 'ॐ', on either my question paper or answer sheet. It was always a nice and thick ॐ on the top left margin. 2. Not only during exams, but even on notebook, textbook covers, and stationary (yes, I'd write ॐ on my eraser, compass box, desk etc.) 3. Right until this day, I have continued writing ॐ on everything, from Resumes, to Official Documents, even important Text Messages. 4. When I start a new book, I take it to our mandap at home, do namaskaram, put a kumkum teeka to the first page and then write ॐ. 5. I don't start anything important without reciting a shloka first. 6. Suddenly in 10th Standard, when we were about to give our Prelims, the teachers made an announcement warning us not to put "religious symbols" anywhere. At that point, being politically unaware, I enquired as to why, and was informed that the examiner may not be a Hindu. I didn't care, and still wrote ॐ- both during my prelims AND 10th Board Exams that followed. Just a bit smaller to make it less conspicuous. --- *HERE'S MY POINT*: Secular society will do everything to hammer Dharma out of you. They will shame you for following the paddhati of your great-grandparents. They will embarrass you into thinking you lack civility, and guilt you into feeling you're not being considerate to your fellow Indians by being "too devout" a Hindu. If nothing works, they will belittle you with Hinduphobic insults (cow-piss drinker, etc.) I say to hell with that. The blood of our ancestors courses through our veins. For uncountable generations they preserved the wealth of wisdom that was more or less handed to our generation without much struggle. Some, no doubt, even died to preserve it. We've been luckier. Much luckier. But what do we do with this earned luck? We throw it in the gutter- all because of some feel-good Secular ideals that we've internalized. No. Reclaim your heritage. Be a proud Hindu. And of course, never give up on your symbols. Om... ...Continuing with the #Proud_Hindu_Challenge