Mother India

By Vihaan Riju

Nestled away in Asia’s South-East,

Lies India, whose rural days have ceased

However, it does not fail to remember its root,

To learn from the past’s ash and soot

India is diversity defined,

No corner is the same, yet they are all combined

Stitched together into the colourful fabric

I call home, and this fact makes India tick!

It is a world of its own-

In Sikkim you find the Artic tone,

Find the Sahara in the Thar,

For the beaches of Hawaii, don’t go far-

Just go to Goa!

For all you culinary wishes,

Try our delicious dishes!

They are the perfect mirrors of their regions,

And they number in the legions-

From kofta to kebabs, pakora to panner,

Try some of them in a hurry!

Our culture is deep and rich,

We have stories so legendary a child can tell them without a hitch,

Dances regal and elegant,

Which if you miss you will surely repent!

India’s nature is so serene,

That it seems God plucked it from Heaven’s green

Our trees vary in shape and size,

From the banyan to the neem, their beauty no one denies!

We have many creatures-animals and birds,

From the lone Bengal tiger, to the mighty elephants in herds

However our flowers are unapparelled in loveliness,

From the hibiscus to the marigold, their scent washes away all badness!

But underneath this veil of goodness,

Lies the past’s dark mess,

We have been robbed and oppressed by outsiders like the British,

But we laid no hand on revenge’s dish

For non-violence and peace,

Is our chief belief!

So whether you are Indian or not,

You must agree India’s compliments are a lot,

But we must strive to make it a better place-

The greater good we must embrace!

By Vihaan Riju