Hear from a Local
Namaskara!
My name is Yashika. I am Indian. I was born in a tiny village called Bittangala in a place called Kodagu known for its rich cultural heritage and abundant nature and grew up in Bengaluru the IT capital of India.
Why should people visit your country?
I don’t see India as one country but many countries within a country. There is so much to explore here in terms of its geographical and cultural diversity and spirituality that I believe an entire lifetime will fall short.
What is your favorite thing about India?
Out of a million favourite things, if I have to pick one, it has to be the idea of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (the world is one family) that we stand for. I believe inclusivity is the way forward and that’s something I rediscover everywhere I travel across India.
What are 3 common expressions one might hear when visiting?
Now, that’s a very difficult question to answer because every region has its own expressions in their own language. Apart from the 22 official languages, India has over 1000 languages.
If I have to talk about Kodagu some commonly used phrases in Kodava tak would be:
“Chaite Ullira” which means “Are you well?”
“Enta Vishesha?” an equivelent to "What’s up?"
“Chaikarti” or “Chaikara” which mean “Pretty girl” and “Handsome boy”
If I have to talk about Bengalure, some common expressions in Kannada would be:
“Cha/ kapi kuditira?” which means “Can I get you some tea or coffee?”
“Uru elli?” means “Where are you from?”
What do you recommend to do in your country?
A visit to India is never complete without exploring the culture of different regions, the local food, the flora and fauna, the local handicrafts, ancient architecture, music, art and dance.
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