April 2003… wow, that was a long time ago, but I remember it like yesterday. The world was worried about a SARS outbreak and indeed, that was a big worry for my parents as they had decided to finally make the big move to Melbourne, Australia.
Growing up in the small city of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Melbourne seemed overwhelmingly big and scary. My Indian background alongside the Muslim culture I had grown up within had resulted in me being very conservative. That nature was questioned, shell shocked, by the liberal culture of Melbourne but there was a freedom here too. A freedom to find out who I am rather than fit into the cookie cutter version of a good Indian daughter.
Over the next two decades, I struggled with my identity. I was Indian but my story originated in Abu Dhabi and yet, an overwhelming part of me resonated with Melbourne. After all, I was the tender age of 12 when my family migrated here.
My ‘diverse’ identity proved to be both a blessing and a curse. An overwhelming part of me felt ashamed by my origin as an Indian woman. The last few years forced me to confront this shame. To understand more of where it stemmed from. It brought me a lot of realisations – within myself, of the Australian culture and the Indian culture that will firmly always be etched in me.
These realisations have been a key finding for me…it led to me embracing and even, being proud of my Indian culture. This is the main impetus for this blog.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog. I look forward to hearing your thoughts and stories as well.
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