Page 7 - HKMA David Li Kwok Po College （PTA Newsletter）

文
多智

The Positive Power Multiculture 化

of Multiculturalism

young age. The first thing that drew my attention on the first day of class in DLKP Two Sides of a Coin
I believe growing up in a multicultural environment is crucial, especially at a very
was the diversity of cultural backgrounds among my classmates. Studying in a
school environment with different religions, races and cultural backgrounds is really DLKP possesses a unique platform where one can cherish diversified cultures tied
a precious opportunity to develop a greater appreciation of diverse cultures around with a unified thread of harmony. In other words, it is one of the schools which
us. It gives me a better understanding not only with how culture shapes us but nurtures young minds that belong to different nationalities under the same roof.
also why others hold different perspectives and values. It provides opportunities for children to get accustomed with different cultures,
acquire distinctive knowledge and learn about lifestyles of people from different
The culture we are born into largely influences our behaviour, identity, values and parts of the world.
beliefs. In our lives, when we encounter people from different cultural backgrounds,
not only will tolerance and understanding be developed, but also one’s own Due to the pandemic in the year 2020-21, pursuing face-to-face learning at
heritage will be better understood and appreciated for its uniqueness. Being an school was not an option for children. Online lessons were challenging to all, i.e.,
Indian who comes from a country with numerous linguistic, religious and ethnic school teachers, students, and parents. While friends and teachers are the integral
groups, I have learned to always respect other cultures. support to teenagers for their mental, social, moral, and perpetual growth, families
also play a vital role.
Like India which is well-known for its varied heritage, diversified and deep-rooted
culture and traditions, Hong Kong is also a melting pot of cultures as we see I believe social distancing measures and Zoom lessons have brought children
people from different races and ethnicities living in harmony. Although we all may back to their homes. For this, I mean, children were overloaded with the pressure
belong to different ethnicities, there are some similarities between our cultures. For of getting up early, going to school, coming back late after remedial classes and
instance, I have seen some similarities among the Chinese and Indian traditions extra-curricular activities, bathing, eating, finishing homework, preparing for tests
and religious beliefs. One common religious practice is worshipping ancestors. This the next day, and going to bed under the stress of getting up early again and
is based on the belief that the deceased family members have perpetual existence, following the same routines.
and their spirits look after the living ones. To pay homage to our ancestors, we
Indians worship them to keep the ancestors happy who in turn would bless the Social distancing measures were enforced during COVID-19 to prevent infection
living family. We revere them by praying and making food offerings. In our religion, and this reduced social interaction, but they brought families together. Under the
we call this “Pitru Paksha” (See Note1). In Hong Kong, there is a similar tradition measures, students got more time to stay at home and to observe family rituals.
called Qingming Festival （清明節） (See Note2) or “Tomb Sweeping Day”. On I am an Indian parent. During this tenor the whole year, my daughter got time to
this day, the families visit the tombs of their ancestors, clean the cemetery, pray to observe her father and I in preparing for our festivals like "Diwali" (See Note1).
them and make ritual offerings. She learnt how to make some sweets with me and tried cooking some traditional
food. She enjoyed partaking in family prayers and taught her brother how to pray
Chinese New Year , which is also known as the Spring Festival, is a festival to as well. I realized this was the best time for my family, and I felt we were closer to
celebrate the harvest. This reminded me of our festival “Makar Sankranti” (See each other as we had more stressless time to spend together.
Note3), which marks the winter solstice, i.e., end of the winter solstice month
and start of longer daytime (beginning of the new harvest season). Hongkongers Now my daughter is trying to cook some different cuisines that she has learnt
also celebrate the Winter Solstice Festival known as “Dong Zhi”（冬至）, which from internet. She has also learnt to make roti (See Note2). She has read more
symbolizes family reunion. books, started painting and crochet in her spare time. She has spent more time on
physical activities like jogging, gym, and playing badminton within our premises.
Spring Lantern Festival is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in Hong Sometimes we went hiking or cycling together when the government eased social
Kong, which heralds the end of traditional Lunar New Year celebrations. This distancing measures. These days, she has also learnt to do some household
festival is observed by lighting the Chinese red lanterns which reminded me of chores.
“Diwali” (See Note4), a festival of lights, which commemorates the triumph of
good over evil and light over darkness. My children listen to our prayers everyday and get close to our religious beliefs.
We visited our ‘Sikh Temple’ in Happy Valley a couple of times together to pray
I am glad that I am a part of DLKP, a school that promotes and supports in Indian attire. Now my children feel more comfortable in traditional wear. Since
multiculturalism, emphasizes on respecting others and their cultures. At this children are learning from home, they are more relaxed in the mornings. They save
school, respect for cultural differences is taught all the time, not reserved just for travelling time and feel more relaxed at night in bed as they have no pressure of
the “Multicultural Week”. Studying in a multicultural environment such as ours waking up early to leave home for school.
enables students to get new cultural insights, which will reduce negative emotions
and behaviour such as racial discrimination. Definitely, face-to-face lessons have its own impact and positive side but, at the
moment, it is a breakthrough for all of us from our busy lives without them.
Exposing students to cultures other than their own prepares them for the society
that exists outside of their community. Growing and learning in a multicultural Think about those students who went to their hometown during holidays and got
environment enables students a greater understanding of others’ beliefs, attitudes stuck there due to COVID-19, it was also an opportunity for them to observe their
and behavior. This knowledge of others will result in a higher level of personal and own countries closely and feel deeper bonding. My friend’s daughter who was in
social skills. This will also make them more flexible and compliant with change. her own country for nearly eight months did not want to come back to Hong Kong.
Moreover, it is significantly beneficial to children leaving to study overseas, and She enjoyed observing Indian festivals, family gathering, luxuries that availed in our
later in their workplace. Once this pandemic is over, as an F.1 student, I am very country like big bungalows, cars, variety of street food, family functions, visits, etc.
eager to go on the study tours and the youth-exchange programs organized
by our school that encourage us to get a deeper insight into other cultures and I’m thankful for this platform, where I am able to share positivity and reminisce the
religious beliefs. joyful moments I spent with my family during the pandemic. It is imperative not to
forget that there are two sides to every coin: while the pandemic certainly had its
By Disha Deepak Shetty, S1E ups and downs, we should still cherish the opportunity we got to spend time with
our families and learn more about them. Finally, during the pandemic we also got
the time to focus on our well-being and learn more about our culture.
By Avneet Kanak, S2C Parent

Note1: “Pitru Paksha” or “fortnight of the ancestors” is a period lasting 16 days in Hindu
calendar when Hindus pay homage to their ancestor
Note2: This is also translated to English as “Ching Ming Festival”.
Note3: “Makar Sankranti” is a festive day in India that is dedicated to the God of Sun,
Light and Day. Note1: “Diwali” or the Festival of Light, is one of the popular festivals in India, It
Note4: “Diwali” or the Festival of Light, is one of the popular festivals in India. It symbolizes the spiritual triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and
symbolizes the spiritual triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
knowledge over ignorance. Note2: A kind of Indian flatbread.

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