Every year, the international media choose a word from a foreign language and talk about its health benefits. a year gonehygiene, a feeling of comfort and warmth in Danish; another year gonecosagach, a Scots-Gaelic word with a similar meaning. This year, we turn to the languages of India, where words have overlapping meanings and local relevance. We asked people from all walks of life to pick the words of the year, words that signify physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
1.Ananda(Blessing)
idiom: no
this littleand the word in common usage is a potency of combined forces and energy. It is the state of bliss that indicates good health of body and mind. Previously, when I served in the Army in insurgent areas, the ability to respond to situations brought me and my battalion to this heightened emotional state. Now I run half marathons, usually easy the first 15 kilometers, difficult the next, with a feeling of happiness at the end. This year has been difficult andAnandait's something we're looking for.
- Jiten Vadehra, 54; now lives in Lucknow; former army colonel
Vizhippunarvu (Awakening and becoming aware) Language: Tamil This year has been a rude awakening and fulfillment on many fronts. First of all, in understanding our personal responsibility to exercise healthy practices that guarantee our safety and that of those around us. The impact of this pandemic is not only physical, but also on the mental well-being of individuals, families and society in general, especially for certain communities for which support structures are weak or non-existent, such as migrant workers and migrants. artists.- Vikram Raghavan, 35, from Chennai; carnatic musician
2.Vizhippunarvu(Wake up and become aware)
Language: Tamil
This yearIt has been a rude awakening and realization on many fronts. First of all, in understanding our personal responsibility to exercise healthy practices that guarantee our safety and that of those around us. The impact of this pandemic is not only physical, but also on the mental well-being of individuals, families and society in general, especially for certain communities for which support structures are weak or non-existent, such as migrant workers and migrants. artists.
-VikramRaghavan,35, from Chennai; carnatic musician
Jaagratha (Caution, Alert) Language: Malayalam At first, my routine included hanging out with friends and dining out with my family. All of that stopped earlier this year. Masks, sanitizers, and gloves have become the norm. I think twice before going to the supermarket. The idea that I have to be safe and keep my family safe always crosses my mind. It's almost like a mantra. - Dane Xan Alex, 29, from Kottayam, Kerala; now lives in Sydney; works as an engineer
3.Jaagratha(Watch out, watch out)
Language: Malayala
Earliermy routine included hanging out with friends and going out to dinner with my family. All of that stopped earlier this year. Masks, sanitizers, and gloves have become the norm. I think twice before going to the supermarket. The idea that I have to be safe and keep my family safe always crosses my mind. It's almost like a mantra.
-Dane Xan Alex,29, from Kottayam, Kerala; now lives in Sydney; works as an engineer
Saamarasyam (Harmony, concord) Language: Telugu I am grateful that the pandemic has brought my family together, but to be honest, I was not used to living with my daughters as an adult. This year I learned the importance of accepting that your children may be different in their habits and philosophies. And to live peacefully together, we have to understand each other's perspectives on things and accept our differences. - Annapurna, 50, Vizag, Andhra Pradesh, now lives in Dehradun; she mistress of home
4.Saamarasyam(Harmony, concordance)
Idioma: Telugu
I'm thankfulthat the pandemic brought my family together, but the truth is that I was not used to living with my daughters as an adult. This year I learned the importance of accepting that your children may be different in their habits and philosophies. And to live peacefully together, we have to understand each other's perspectives on things and accept our differences.
an annapurna,50,Vizag, Andhra Pradesh, now lives in Dehradun; housewife
Swayam araikey (Choose oneself or self care) Language: Kannada Before the start of the pandemic, I was working in Bangalore as a speech therapist. My day started early with classes for my students and therapy sessions for my patients. I loved being so busy. I had some health problems (thyroid and back pain) but I didn't care too much. So a few months ago I consulted my doctor and he advised me to completely change my lifestyle. What he said resonated with me: "It's not the thyroid you need to worry about, it's all the other issues that will follow." So now I focus on my health, something I never had time to do before. I have planned my exercise routine, yoga, daily walks and I feel amazing. - Shruthi Padmashali, 27, from Mangaluru, Karnataka; speech therapist
5.araikey swayam(Choose Yourself or Self Care)
Language: Kannada
Before the start of the pandemic, I was working in Bangalore as a speech therapist. My day started early with classes for my students and therapy sessions for my patients. I loved being so busy. I had some health problems (thyroid and back pain) but I didn't care too much. So a few months ago I consulted my doctor and he advised me to completely change my lifestyle. What he said resonated with me: "It's not the thyroid you need to worry about, it's all the other issues that will follow." So now I focus on my health, something I never had time to do before. I have planned my exercise routine, yoga, daily walks and I feel amazing.
- Shruthi Padmashali,27, de Mangaluru, Karnataka; speech therapist
That-thati (fresh, crisp) Language: Konkani The colloquial word is usually used in the context of a fresh, crisp salad or fruit, and is sometimes used loosely for someone who gets that way after a good night's rest or bath . I am the coordinator of an informal Healthy Food Bank group that has farmers and families who buy from them, and I am grateful that for much of the lockdown we had fresh, chemical-free produce. The farmers follow Subhash Palekar's natural farming philosophy. This year has taught us to think holistically about health so that we can better navigate these times.- Deepa Sirur, 46, from Byndoor, Karnataka; now lives in Pune; yoga trainer
6.that that(fresh, crisp)
Language:Konkani
The colloquial word is usually used in the context of a crisp, fresh salad or fruit, and is sometimes used loosely for someone who gets that way after a good night's rest or shower. I am the coordinator of an informal Healthy Food Bank group that has farmers and families who buy from them, and I am grateful that for much of the lockdown we had fresh, chemical-free produce. The farmers follow Subhash Palekar's natural farming philosophy. This year has taught us to think about health holistically so that we can better navigate these times.
-Deep Sirur,46, from Byndoor, Karnataka; now lives in Pune; yoga trainer
Sehatyaab (in good health) Language: Kashmiri This is a greeting with which we begin and end any conversation. Kashmiri Muslims use this word while the equivalent word used by Kashmiri Pandits is orzuv (or means good and zuv is health). I developed asthma after moving to Delhi and four months ago I also contracted a mild coronavirus infection. Although I am in the high risk category, luckily my lungs were not affected. The word is a blessing, a wish, a hope. - Aarti Dhar, 52, from Srinagar, now lives in Delhi; public health commentator
7.Sehatyab(in good health)
Language: Kashmir
That isa greeting with which we begin and end any conversation. Kashmiri Muslims use this word while the equivalent word used by Kashmiri Pandits isreview(omeans good andto sweepand health).I developed asthma after moving to Delhi and four months ago I also contracted a mild coronavirus infection. Although I am in the high risk category, luckily my lungs were not affected. The word is a blessing, a wish, a hope.
- Aarti Dar,52, from Srinagar, now lives in Delhi; public health commentator
Ralmil (Union) Language: Punjabi There is something very lyrical about this word. Whether we are fighting COVID-19 now or in any other crisis, it is the very essence of unity that helps us overcome adversity. I am also fascinated by a close-knit clan called Ralmil. They are the Jats in Punjab...farmers, whose spirit of life and life is unity and fellowship.- Renu Rangela Taneja, 55, Delhi; media consultant
8.Rálmil(Unit)
Idiom: Punjabi
Leavesthere is something very lyrical in this word. Whether we are fighting COVID-19 now or in any other crisis, it is the very essence of unity that helps us overcome adversity. I am also fascinated by a close-knit clan called Ralmil. They are the Jats in Punjab...farmers, whose spirit of life and life is unity and togetherness.
-RenuRangeela Taneja, 55, from Delhi; media consultant
Patthi (Immense inner strength of the feminine) Language: Sindhi When people ask me how I am going to handle something, I say, I am 'andar ki patthi'. It is a word that women use to talk about their inner strength. Women have to deal with things on so many fronts, and it's a fitting word for the times, considering the dropout rate during the pandemic that affected even those women who had no job outside the home.- Bhakti Durgani, 43, from Chennai ; now lives in Bombay; housewife
9.patti(Immense inner strength of the feminine)
Idioma: Sindi
when peopleask me how am I going to handle something and I say am 'andar ki patthi'. It is a word that women use to talk about their inner strength. Women have to deal with things on so many fronts, and it's an apt word for the times, considering the dropout rate during the pandemic that affected even those women who didn't have jobs outside the home.
-Bhakti Durgani,43, from Chennai; now lives in Bombay; housewife
Xewali (Night Jasmine)Language: BodoThe smell of Xewali reminds me of the arrival of winter, when the flower begins to bloom in autumn. I remember the sight of the lawn in the morning, the white and orange colors on the ground. About every six months, a handful of leaves from the Xewali plant is placed on a banana leaf and left over a wood fire until the outer leaf turns black. Xewali leaves are then taken, allowed to cool and soften, juice is extracted to cleanse the system of worms.- Padumi Boro, 49, from Tamulpur, Assam; now lives in Guwahati; carer
10dreamers(jasmine night)
Language: Bodo
The smelldel Xewali reminds me of the arrival of winter, because the flower begins to bloom in autumn. I remember the sight of the lawn in the morning, the white and orange colors on the ground. About every six months, a handful of leaves from the Xewali plant is placed on a banana leaf and left over a wood fire until the outer leaf turns black. Xewali leaves are then taken, allowed to cool and soften, their juice is extracted to cleanse the system of worms.
- Padumi See moreboro,49, from Tamulpur, Assam; now lives in Guwahati; carer
Aasha (Hope) Language: Bengali If there was no hope, we would die every day. Hope helps us live. Last week, a dear friend succumbed to COVID-19, and in recent months I have received news of the deaths of many I know. Moments of sadness overwhelm me, and yet something makes me believe that the little virus that today has humanity in danger will soon give up.- Apurba Kumar Basu, 73, from Calcutta, now lives in Pune; retired civil servant
11ashes(Have hope)
Language: Bengali
Yes there arethere was no hope, we would die every day. Hope helps us live. Last week, a dear friend succumbed to COVID-19, and in recent months I have received news of the deaths of many I know. Moments of sadness overwhelm me, and yet something makes me believe that the little virus that is kidnapping humanity today will soon give up.
- Apurbakumar basu,73, from Kolkata, now lives in Pune; retired civil servant
Swabalamban (Self-Sufficient)Language: OdiaThe year was turbulent, not only because of COVID-19 but also because I developed serious health problems. I am now on the road to recovery and am missing the last round of treatment. I didn't tell my parents about my illness because I don't want them to worry. With my willpower, I adapted to a lifestyle that combines nutrition, exercise, yoga, and positive mindset, along with medicine.- Dushyant Meher, 45, from Sambalpur, Odisha; now lives in Delhi; social development consultant
12self-balance(Self-sufficient)
Language: Hates
The year was turbulent, not only because of COVID-19, but also because I developed serious health problems. I am now on the road to recovery and am missing the last round of treatment. I didn't tell my parents about my illness because I don't want them to worry. With my willpower, I adapted to a lifestyle that combines nutrition, exercise, yoga, and mental positivity, along with medicine.
- Dushyant Meher,45, from Sambalpur, Odisha; now lives in Delhi; social development consultant
Saachvo (Save) Language: Gujarati As human beings, we have a natural tendency to save ourselves from any harm or danger, but this year has taught us to be very careful to keep not only our own health safe, but also that of others. I have 150 employees who depend on my textile business and I had to take care of them even though our stores were closed for five months. I retained all employees with 50% salary and full Diwali bonus. Saving so many jobs has earned us so much goodwill that now I feel overwhelmed. His blessings kept us together when my whole family contracted COVID-19.- Amar Vora, 40, from Mundra, Gujarat, lives in Madurai; Businessman
13Saachvo(Save)
Language: Gujarati
As human beings, we have a natural tendency to protect ourselves from harm or danger, but this year has taught us to be more careful to keep not only our own health safe, but also that of others. I have 150 employees who depend on my textile business and I had to take care of them even though our stores were closed for five months. I retained all employees with 50% salary and full Diwali bonus. Saving so many jobs has earned us so much goodwill that now I feel overwhelmed. Your blessings sustained us when my entire family contracted COVID-19.
- Amar Vora, 40, from Mundra, Gujarat, lives in Madurai; Businessman
Kantala and Chaha (Boredom and Tea) Language: Marathi These two words go hand in hand. We call my grandparents and the conversation goes like this: we say we're bored, they tell us they're bored; so we parted ways. This year it was all about finding all possible ways to avoid kanatala. One is to drink strong ginger tea. My mom offers to make me a cup every afternoon. I refuse every day, but she keeps asking, and that's very encouraging. This year, I have been speaking more Marathi than ever in my adult life. But there are still words I don't know. For example, if you ask my mother, the word of the year is las, which means vaccine.- Manali Jamgaokar, 27, from Mumbai; now lives in Vizag, Andhra Pradesh; architect
14Kantala y Chaha(Boredom and tea)
Language:marathi
Thosetwo words go hand in hand. We call my grandparents and the conversation goes like this: we say we're bored, they tell us they're bored; so we parted ways. This year it was all about finding every possible way to avoidKanatala. One is to drink strong ginger tea. My mom offers to make me a cup every afternoon. I refuse every day, but she keeps asking, and that's very encouraging. This year, I have been speaking more Marathi than ever in my adult life. But there are still words I don't know. For example, if you ask my mom, the word of the year islaswhich means vaccine.
-ManaliJamgaokar,27, from Bombay;now livesin Vizag, Andhra Pradesh; architect
- With inputs fromMatthew Sunalini,susan joe philip, miSrishti B Dutta
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