Let’s bring Namaste back!
Growing up in India I remember we used to greet by folding our hands for a Namaste.
While discussing about precautions against the deadly Coronavirus, a friend mentioned that we should maintain physical distance from people and also avoid handshakes. Immediately I was reminded of Namaste. I realised that I no longer use Namaste as a form of greeting. Somehow in all these years the good old Namaste has been replaced by a handshake. This is a result of the corporate life that I have been leading for the last 7 years.
Indians greet each other with namaste. Namaste is more than a word we say, it has its own hand gesture. It is a customary greeting when one meets or takes leave of others. The two palms are placed together in front of the chest and the head bows whilst saying the word namaste. This greeting is for all — people younger than us, of our own age, those older than us, friends and even strangers.
I remember reading about why Indians don’t hug or shake hands while greeting as is done commonly elsewhere. Namaste, apart from other benefits, also ensures that we don’t have to make physical contact with a person just for the purpose of greeting which in turn helps prevent transfer of germs from one person to another.
While joining two palms together people join the tips of all fingers together which further creates pressure on points of ear, eyes and mind. Pressing them together is said to turn on the pressure points which helps us remembering that person for a long time.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday(4th March) encouraged his countrymen to adopt ‘Namaste’ — the Indian way of greeting — instead of the normal handshakes, one of the measures to prevent the spread of the deadly Coronavirus. (Video link)
So now that I remember the old school namaste and its benefits I will use it in place of the handshake whenever greeting someone. If you agree you can try too!
Let’s bring namaste back.
