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Letter to Rukhsar

MSC archived stories - April 6, 2019

I just wrote to Rukhsar following her WG report, and wanted to find out if any of India sponsors could answer the question I put to her at the end..

My Dear Rukhsar,

 

I hope this letter finds you in good spirit and health.

 

It was so fascinating to learn about your life in Delhi.

 

I heard that the night there in December was very cold. Is this when you had your shopping done with a pink headscarf on? I know you love the winter season but do you see snow fall? My favorite is spring (March, April and May), a time for blossoming trees and flowering plants, but far as I can remember for the first time this year I had a "white birthday" on March 10 – it was a beautiful Sunday morning.

 

Since you being there, I'd love to visit India someday to see the ancient ruins of Bodh Gaya in the state of Bihar (historical sites of our lord Buddha) and to experience Hindu rituals associated with the Great River, Ganges.

 

But, you have two celebrations of Eid every year in June, which marks the end of Ramadan when you break the fast, and in August honors the end of the Haji Pilgrimage. Though I now live in Scotland, we too have many religious and cultural festivities throughout the year celebrated back in Sri Lanka. I'll tell you all about it on another day.

 

Your grade 2 class of 40 students must be very crowded and noisy. Do all of you obey total silence when teacher arrives in the class? Do they teach you in Urdu? What’s your favorite subject?

 

Like you, I too prefer to have boiled vegetables with rice and dhal (lentils) curry for my dinner. But, unlike your favorite TV show character, Chhota Bheem, I'm yet to try some of his (stolen) Laddu! Bheem is strong and very smart. Along with his friends, he loves to help in need – right?

 

I've seen mother-daughter dances from India, but do you listen to Bollywood music or dance to TV shows with your mum/dad?

 

I'm very pleased to see your Welcome Gift items. You do seem a fun loving girl having your bicycle and carrom board, but I wanted to ask you about the tiny item you are holding by both hands (see below) – is this something precious or symbolic in Muslim culture?


Do take care of yourself.


With Love,

 

Chelaka

Comments

  1. chelaka17 March 2025 at 22:07

    Great letter, chelaka. You connect very well with her, and give her lots to write you back.

    April 7, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  2. chelaka17 March 2025 at 22:08

    Thank you for sharing your letter chelaka...it was so sweet and caring. I always find it helpful to hear what others write about as it gives me more ideas on what to write to my sponsored children!

    April 7, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  3. chelaka17 March 2025 at 22:09

    Oh man, your letter is great! the photo is toooo small to check that tiny gift! Are you sure she is Muslim? There are many different religions in India.

    April 7, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  4. chelaka17 March 2025 at 22:09

    Thanks Nancy! We both are still getting to know each other, so was trying to get her into my rhythm of writing :)

    April 7, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  5. chelaka17 March 2025 at 22:09

    Liro – You’re most welcomed! I still remember as a child living in Sri Lanka how excited I was to receive letters from my dad working in the UK.

    April 7, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  6. chelaka17 March 2025 at 22:10

    Sajjad – Thanks! Hope it inspired you to write your beautiful two girls. I’ve added all photos of her WG to My Media – see if you can figure out what she’s holding. So far, I know that she celebrates the festival of Eid and wants to learn Urdu, thus her faith.

    April 7, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  7. chelaka17 March 2025 at 22:10

    This is my best guess.Could she be holding a single piece of toffee? I moved a picture forward on my media for you to check - (my child is holding 3 little toffees). It's a common practice for Delhi to spend those few remaining cents this way.

    April 7, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  8. chelaka17 March 2025 at 22:11

    I see.. It never crossed my mind for one second that she would just have one toffee – no other confectioneries or food items purchased. Thanks for looking into this.

    April 7, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  9. chelaka17 March 2025 at 22:11

    My kids from India are Hindu? I don't think there are many Muslim in India. I know most of the Muslim journeyed to Pakistan when there were more problems recently. I remember reading something along those lines. Maybe ask her what she celebrates and then you will know for sure by the holidays she names.

    April 10, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  10. chelaka17 March 2025 at 22:11

    @JamieMarie: You are correct that many Muslims left for Pakistan following the Partition,(1947), but presently there are numerous Indians who are Muslim.. As of 2011 roughly 80% of Indians are Hindu. About 14% are Muslim. The rest are 'other'. India's total population is 1.3 billion.

    April 10, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  11. chelaka17 March 2025 at 22:12

    Hi Jamie, She celebrates the festival of Eid and wants to learn Urdu. Her FR says: Language: Hindi; Dad's name: Mohammed; Mom's name: Naziya

    April 11, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  12. chelaka17 March 2025 at 22:12

    NancyA – What do you think? She does have a bindi on her forehead, a devotional dot in Hinduism. May be she's mixed race? Great to know her demography – thanks!

    April 11, 2019

    ReplyDelete
  13. chelaka17 March 2025 at 22:12

    Yes she must be muslim if she celebrates Eid. Thanks for informing me Nancy A. About more muslims in india. I was unaware. Its always good to learn something new.

    April 11, 2019

    ReplyDelete

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