Following Traditions may also be Modern

Once upon a time, a family had a pet cat. It was very naughty cat and played with everyone. But, this caused a problem during festivals and celebrations. So, the eldest lady in house used to tie the cat in one corner whenever there was a festival or celebration. After th eeldest lady died, no one knew why she used to tie the cat during those periods. Everyone thought it was some ritual or custom to be followed. So, the poor cat wsa tied unknowingly time to time. This went on for years and after the cat died, family did not know what to do. So, from then ownwards, everytime there was a celebration or festival, the family had a task to look for a cat and tie the poor animal for no reason.

Moral of the story - A tradition without intelligence is not worth having. ~ TS Eliot

So true it is. The so called traditions which do not have a valid reason behind them are actually not worth calling tradition - they are called "evil custom" or कुप्रथा - kupratha.

There are come traditions which do have some logical reason behind them and thus i have no fear or shame in following them. Let's see some of them;

1. Women not doing anything during menstural cycles
Actually, this is the biggest tradition i have seen all my life. People need to understand that menstrual flow is not dirty. Most of it is simple blood flowed out of body naturally. In some regions, women are not allowed even in simple prayers at home which involves two steps to a different room.
The actual reason for keeping women at rest is that during menstruation women undergo both physical and emotional changes and may not be ready for rituals that required concentration and strength for execution. Women in the ancient times used to do a lot work that required a ritual to be completed. This custom was to ensure that women under menstruation are given due rest to remain healthy. Over time this has been misinterpreted by many that women under menstruation are to stay away from rituals since it brings ill effects to the ritual.

2. Not doing some partiicular tasks after sunset.
Form childhood, i have been asked not to sweep the floor, cut nails, do stiching etc after sunset. When i asked why? No answer was there. But, now i can very well understand that this is because during ancient times, there was no electricity. People used to light homes with oil lamps or candles etc.
Sweeping floor after the sunset, in dim light, can result in sweeping away small jewellery pieces or money from the home. Also, the splinters of the broom, when swept areprone to catch fire from the lamps causing the risk of a fire.
Cutting nails or stiching - First, it might hurt the nails or fingers in dim light.

3. Cut nails should not be kept inside house
Actually, my mother always insisted that i cut my nails in porch or backyard. First reason is obviously the sunlight, si i am not hurt. Another is, if one stamps on another person’s cut nails, they will start hating each other. Also,  one’s nails may be poisonous to another person, if it pierces the skin.

4. Cover head while cooking and worshiping
This is very obvious. Ever seen the shefs? They all wear hats. Know why? To avoid falling down of hair in food. Yes - the same is the reason while worshiping. We generally light oil lamp and bow down while worshiping. Loose hair are prone to catch fire. Even guys are advised to cover ther head by hankerchief.

There are many more like them. However, there are some baseless traditions and rituals - oh i shall call them evil customs which people seriously need to get rid of;
1. Widows Are considered inauspicious.
2. Animal sacrifice in the name of god.
3. Child marriages
4. many more...

The term - "An educated illitrate" is very apt for people who boast of being modern but yet are do backward within their own homes. Mr. Nassim Nicholas Taleb very well said that - "Modernity: we created youth without heroism, age without wisdom, and life without grandeur".

We must remember that one can be truly modern and follow the traditions at the same time. This is provided that the person does not follow them blindly. No religion or god gudes to hurt other for our own good.

The challenge of modernity is to live without illusions and without becoming disillusioned.  ~ Antonio Gramsci
This post was written in response to Indispire - Topic - If you value your traditions and culture, you're branded conservative. While modernity is judged by clothes rather than thoughts. What's you take on this topic?

Do you think that being traditional is outdated? Does physical appearance makes you judge the person rather than his/her thoughts? I would definitely like to hear your voice.