By Nasyah Sivakumar
Here at CIS, we have a diverse range of nationalities, cultures, and backgrounds. The school strives to celebrate every individual and our differences to connect us all. The Indian Cultural Club is a vibrant and diverse student-organized club that celebrates the richness of Indian culture. With the aim of encouraging cross-cultural understanding and promoting the traditions of India, this club is an example of unity within our school community.
The club is led by grade 11 students Lavanya Lehl and Zoya Chintamani. They invite any and all MYP and DP students to join, to experience something new. Lavanya Lehl, one of the leaders quotes: “Our mission and vision for the Indian Club is to promote intercultural understanding. I know that we are in an international school environment, but at times it feels like we lose a bit of our culture”. She continues to say that “sometimes, we just need the opportunity to reconnect with our culture, especially for the Indian community, being such a big community at CIS, I feel like we just need the opportunity to have experiences, share our culture with those that aren’t Indian, and also those who need to reconnect with the culture”. Members of the club say this club is “a good opportunity to learn about India” and that “it gives more exposure to the culture”.
In the club, you immerse yourself in the traditions of different Indian festivals, music, movies, food, and many other factors that make up the culture. But the Indian Club is not just about celebrations; it’s also about education. You can learn about history and the spoken languages. The club cares about inclusivity and welcomes students from all backgrounds, to seek connections and understanding among different cultures.
As an international school, diversity is an important factor for the community. Intercultural connections are formed when different communities can interact with respect. Multicultural education is vital for the fostering of a healthy educational environment and the creation of global citizens. The Indian club at CIS helps this key idea of respect to form, as people from a variety of different cultures are exposed to India’s vibrant community.
The Indian Club is more than a club during Tuesday’s SMART time. It is a cultural experience that enriches our school. It allows for unity between different cultures and backgrounds finding a mutual understanding.