American Independence Day in India - July 4th

After our first week of school had finished, we all gathered to celebrate July the 4th, hosted by the Christ University hospitality students. Not quite sure what to expect, we gathered at a pavilion in the middle of campus eager to celebrate. As the festivities began, a team from Weber, a barbecue grill manufacturer from Chicago, greeted us. As a company who had began global operation in India a few years ago, Weber was actively pushing the concept of barbecues in India. Outside of Tandoori chicken, an Indian dish prepared in a clay oven, the concept of barbecue was foreign to India. As part of the company's efforts to spread to India, this group of company representatives met with groups of people and catered their events, giving them the opportunity to display their grills and get some free advertising. Excitedly, the Indian students gathered around, fascinated by the lighting blocks and charcoal briquettes that were being used to cook the food. The team prepared a deliciously cooked meal, including 5 whole roasted chickens, Indian chicken tikka, corn on the cob, and roasted peppers and mushrooms. While the food cooked, we met the Indian students who were hosting us. They excitedly greeted us, fascinated by our backgrounds and wanting to hear our thoughts about India and learn more about the US. After the meal had finished, we moved over to the cricket field and began the final part of the evening, the firework show. While all nonprofessional firework shows inevitably have some degree of danger, this firework display was partially amazing and partially terrifying. While most American children from a young age are taught not to stand over fireworks, to run away after lighting them, to have a source of water nearby to put out any fires, and to light fireworks carefully from the end of the fuse, apparently these lessons had not been taught in India. Professional grade fireworks began launching everywhere, most reaching a safe altitude, however a large amount began exploding after only reaching a few meters off the ground. Slightly anxious about the safety of the show, we gathered a "safe" distance away from the launching area. A few moments later, a rogue firework begins launching towards us. With students diving out of the way to avoid it, the firework whistled past us, exploding nearby and covering a number of students with sparks. Multiple people's clothes had holes where the firework sparks had burned holes through them. Students began hiding behind nearby buildings, afraid of what else may happen. We all nervously enjoyed the rest of the show without any more incidents. While unorthodox and strange, this easily became my most memorable 4th of July celebration.