He Tangata

Nikau

He aha te mea nui o tēnei ao?

What is the most important thing in the world- in your world? A lot of us would say money, some might even say power or popularity, right? For the people of India, you'll find that for a lot of them it's something a little bit different.

Coming to India for a lot of us has been quite the rude awakening. Looking at the way these people live and what they actually prioritise in life has had a profound impact on me. As I ponder over this topic my thoughts go back home to the words of my ancestors which talk of the importance of people and the countless interactions we make with others that matter the most above all else. Hutia te rito o te korari kei hea rā te komako e ko- Ki te ui mai koe he aha te mea nui o tēnei ao...Maaku e kii atu. They couldn't be more right. 

So far I have visited four cities; all of which are completely different to one another- a densely populated & smelly city, a small, clean town high up in the clouds, a humble village in the middle of nowhere, back to another city in which we were accommodated with the finest hotel I've stayed in during the trip. Regardless of the difference in their circumstances, one thing that hasn't changed is the sheer appreciation these people have for their possessions (which are close to none), the manner in which they take care of their guests, and the countless smiles and interactions I've had the privilege of sharing with others. 

I am surprised at just how similar our two cultures are- the values these people live by are not foreign or at all far off from our own. An example of this would be when we visited Saraswatipur- the small village in the middle of nowhere. Upon arrival we were immediately greeted with their own version of a powhiri or formal welcoming that consisted of singing, dancing, and the adornment of flower necklaces by the young ladies of the village as they led us into the town church; our sleep out for the night with mattresses scattered all throughout the room in appropriate marae-styles fashion. I felt right at home. Another instance was just last night and again this morning; floating blissfully along the sacred Ganga river with the lads here in Varanasi. We were accompanied by a knowledgable elderly man who spoke very charismatically of the whakapapa or genealogy of the river; and how this related to the Himalayas maunga, their Gods and religion. With this knowledge came an intense feeling of humility, gratitude, and comfort; knowing that we were sheltered and purified by something much bigger than ourselves. 

Now for most of them they may not have the fancy house, or car, or a brand new flat screen TV; but if one thing's for sure it is that their values- like ours- that keep them grounded and appreciative of what truly matters in life: 

he tangata, he tangata, he tangata

It is people, it is people, it is people

I'm glad to have come on this trip.