Speech by Laya for Elocution Competition in School

Greetings, 

A very wonderful good morning to everyone gathered here. It is with great pride, I am standing in front of you to enlighten you all on the topic “Our Parents are Good Resources of Culture and Tradition.”

Even though I have seen the movie “The Namesake” a couple of times, I never forget to watch it over and over again, when it comes on T.V. This is because of the portrayal of Indian cultural and traditional interests in the movie, which I am fond of. If you were to ask me, what drives me so crazy about Indian culture and tradition, I would answer you that it is the myth that is hidden in them which is so attractive.

Friends, do you know what exactly culture and tradition is? Culture means a set of norms, beliefs and pattern of behavior that define a society while tradition is the handing down of these cultural beliefs and practices in the form of customs and rituals from one generation to another by word of mouth or practice. The good resources of culture and tradition are around all of us. Yes, our parents and elders are the major powerful resources to throw light on the various cultural traditions evident in our own land. 

The rich culture of India and especially Kerala is seen in foods, costumes, festivals, dance, music and literature. Greeting someone with a Namaskara, bowing down at an elder’s feet and seeking blessings, saying thank you for the favors received from a person, equipping oneself to be a part of a joint family are all healthy practices followed by us as instructed by our parents. Similarly, we are also involved in wearing traditional Kerala wear like pattupavada to a temple, doing prayers in the evening in front of an oil lamp, playing traditional games like kuttiyumkolum, goli, mud game etc. 

Who teaches us all of these? Our parents, of course. Yes, the ones with whom we spent most of the time. Haven’t you seen them reciting folk songs? Haven’t you heard your father telling you stories about legends such as Naranathu Bhranthan and Unniyarcha? Doesn't your mother sing “Omanathingalkidaavo” to put you to sleep? They do it deliberately because they do not want the already established culture and tradition of our country to be lost.

Our parents are literally vesting the responsibility of preserving our land’s culture and tradition with us for a reason that they know culture and tradition contributes to true sense of unity, which is the foundation of our family and society.

Let’s join our hands together to safeguard it.

Thank You!