because we expect more from it materialistically, but because we also expect more from it socially and politically. Especially for modern-day American people, the things we want and expect from our life feel so out of reach due to our political climate and the struggles women and minorities still face despite the rising social demand for our generation to succeed. For another IU student, heritage is also something she passionately takes pride in. “There are about 29 states in India and each state has people from various cultures living in it. Most of these cultures have Saree’s and Kurtis, salwar, lehengas, etc. as their traditional wear for the female and Sherwani and salwars as the traditional wear worn by the male, but what matters is how these cultures wear these particular outfits. Like for Sarees, there are various different types of Sarees, like banarasi sari, silk sari, etc. Another thing that is of utmost importance is the work done on these particular clothing items. The work is mostly handwoven by the weavers and that’s what makes it so precious. All these dresses have intricate design details on them, this work is known as the embroidery work. Working and making designs on these suits and sarees is a very difficult task and needs a lot of patience and all of that credit goes to the hardworking weavers of India. Indians mostly wear these dresses on the different festivals that take place in India to showcase the diversity, culture, and beauty of their country! As the times are changing a lot of new styles for these dresses have come into existence. One of them being the Indo western patterns. me, I love wearing my ethnic wear, be it back in my hometown or in any other country for that matter. This not only reminds me of my traditional roots but also gives me an opportunity to showcase the beauty of my country to the other parts of the world”, Indian student Jesica R. Lumba says as she describes the importance and culture behind Indian garments. “Coming from a country like India into a whole different world can definitely be a challenging task keeping in mind the varying cultures, mindsets, etc. The American dream, however, gives people like us the opportunity to share loving bonds with people of diverse ethnicities and also allows us to become the budding artists we only dreamt of becoming.”
our american dream. dreamt of becoming.” Lumba states when asked about what the American Dream means to her. These ladies are exemplary of what I feel is important to this country’s dynamic. They are individuals who wear their heritage on their sleeves in a country where that wasn’t easy for people in the previous generations and still isn’t easy for people in our generation. That quite frankly gives me hope for what our American Dream will look like. Yeah, we want big things and we crave impossible. But we have already achieved some of these big and impossible things. We are the generation of badass activists Malala Yousafzai and Greta Thunberg. Award-winning performers, Billie Eilish, and Maddie Zeigler. Olympic medalists, Simone Biles and Red Gerard. We are a young but powerful and there is so much out there for us. Our American Dream is possible, so please keep dreaming and doing. Swarna Gowtham
