# data[].attributes.body
This archive will be about my personal journey of connecting with India and my family there. This archive will dive into themes such as: culture, religion, family and country. All of these themes will occur regulary throughtout the project and highlight how i have grown up

# data[].attributes.body
My name is Megh rajeev Mistry. I was born in a small city called Valsad. Valsad is a place in the state of Gujarat in India. I was born on the 7th of February 2004. Valsad holds a special place as its where it all began with my family aswell.

# data[].attributes.body
My family holds a very special value to me. When I was 9 months old my parents made the decision to move to Sydney Australia. This is where my family spilt and suffered loss. My parents had to make the decision to leave our family in India. At the time I have no idea what is going on, my parents explained told me how leaving India for the first time was one of the most difficult things both mentally and physically.

This is where my family started to feel loss and how they deeply miss India.

In the middle is a little me.

# data[].attributes.headline
Importance of India with my personal life 

# data[].attributes.subject
Importance of India with my personal life 

# data[].attributes.body
I have lived most of my life within Australia, with consistent trips to India. In Australia I have always known that my birth country is India. Living in Australia has always led to curiosity and a sense of misplacement. My parents have also explained to me the respect we should have to our birthplace, regardless of what ethnicity or country you belong to. Knowing India is my birthplace has always led to me read about India and its rich history.

# data[].attributes.body
With my close family which includes: 4 grandparents, 2 uncles, 2 aunties and my parents. The one core belief we all share is, no matter where we are or how separated India is the one core thing that binds all of our bonds and love together. Also for me India feels like home. With all the lovely food, temples, religions and people its something I feel very comfortable with.

When my family and I visit India and come back to Sydney, there is a feeling of loss and emptiness. India really has an emotional and physical attachment as it evokes my feelings of nostalgia and being home.

# data[].attributes.body
As my family being Hindu, it is our families tradition and liking to visit a temple to pray. In India when we visit we like to go to visit temples and to pray as that it something we love doing. For my parents its an essential tradition in their lives. By visiting this Sri Mandir (temple) my parent and I break the feeling of missing India and continue our tradition. By visiting this local temple in Auburn, Sydney we feel more and home.

# data[].attributes.body
One action that I have done since I was in kindergarten is to always contact my grandparents. One way I found to connect myself to my family in India is every weekend I would call my grandparents and tell them what has happened and what was going on in my life. Only now I understand that by doing that it has made me so happy and more connected to my heritage. My grandparents even to this day tell me stories about India that make me wonder and miss it.

# data[].attributes.body
My parents have always taught me the core values and traditions of India. Having been to India a handful of times nothing compares to having the knowledge of someone who has lived there for a long time. They have always taught me the great value and cultural diversity in India.

This is a picture of me in the middle and my mother and father. Both my mother and I are wearing traditional clothing which is very comfortable and remind us of India.

# data[].attributes.body
This a local temple in Valsad I recently visited in January 5th of 2022. This reminded me of going to the temple in Sydney, while for my parents going to the temple feels like home.

# data[].attributes.body
This is the state called Gujarat. I am a Gujarati. Down the very bottom is small district of Valsad my birthplace.

# data[].attributes.body
When I visited India in the beginning of the year, I wanted to bring back am item which would remind me of my birth-place. This number plate above has GJ-(stands for Gujarat) and the district Valsad and the number 15 for district.

I keep this in my room which reminds me of the very town I spend time in with my family.

This is a typical Indian number plate.

# data[].attributes.body
These are my gold chains that gold more sentimental value rather than materialistic value. The thicker chain was handed down to me from my dada (my fathers dad) and the skinner and smaller chain was handed down to me by my Aaja (my mothers father). Both of these chains were given to me when i had turned 18. Both my grandfathers had told me this is something yous should wear to remind you of us and your family in India.

Both of these chains were made in India. The workmanship and design of it and the labour that went into this symbolises the connection and appreciation I have.

# data[].attributes.body
Questions I asked.

What makes you connect with family and not feel loss?

Grandpa's response (translated) - He said that communicating with everyone is always a must with lots of emphasis !. He says not to feel loss by frequently meeting and being understanding to one another.

Grandma's response (translated) - She said to stay connected you must always cook good food when we are together to always cherish good times. She also stated how to not feel loss is to always think about where you come from and to remember how good India is and to respect it.

# data[].attributes.body
Personally I absolutely love Australia with all my heart. I have lived more of my life in Australia and less in India. Living more in Sydney makes me miss India more and more. By doing traditions and to practice my religion in Sydney. I am very fortunate to have the right to practice my religion and traditions which remind me of my family.

This band which my aunties make hold significant values such as bond, love and family.

# data[].attributes.body
With the personal connection with my family, I have been able to maintain communication and get over the feeling of disconnection/loss. With the items I wear and I have, I always maintain a conscious mindset of peace. Stories from my grandparents and parents have told me I have maintained a good and happy connection with family. Through different traditions and habits, a good connection has been established.