Coronavirus fear makes namaste a global greeting norm

Last updated on February 9th, 2023 at 12:30 pm

The increasing fear of coronavirus pandemic makes the world follow the traditional Indian way of greeting called ‘namaste’. The customary form of exchanging pleasantry comprises a slight bow and hands joined together, pointing upwards. It is followed mostly in the Indian subcontinent but now all across the world. Several world leaders, including US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and Prince Charles, have been seen sporting the same, especially after the World Health Organisation (WHO) shared basic precautionary measures, including avoiding handshake or other forms of physical contact, to prevent the virus from spreading.

WHO has declared COVID-19 a pandemic, which so far has infected 131,500 people across 116 nations. As per the data, the viral infection has claimed over 4,900 lives.

The term ‘namaste’ consists of two Sanskrit words ‘namas’ (bowing) and ‘te’ (to you)

Britain’s Prince Charles was recently spotted putting out his hand for a handshake and then immediately withdrawing it and instead folding his hands gesturing ‘namaste’. On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron also greeted Spanish king Felipe with a ‘namaste’. Following the WHO guidelines of preventive measures to avoid physical contact, US President Donald Trump on Thursday greeted Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar with a ‘namaste’.

Besides, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also issued an advisory note to Israeli citizens asking them to adopt ‘namaste’ as a way of greeting instead of shaking hands.

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Amul, one of biggest producers of Indian diary products, which is known for its caricature based on the daily news-events, made ‘Salam Namaste’ viral. On Saturday, Amul shared a tweet wherein the popular Amul girl and a boy were seen greeting each other with a ‘namaste’. The dairy giant wrote: “#Amul Topical: Owing to Coronavirus, Indian greeting goes global. ‘Salaamul Namaste’…Amul greet this treat.” coronavirus.

‘Namaste’, which owes its global fames to Yoga, has been made a global trend thanks to COVID-19. The term ‘namaste’ consists of two Sanskrit words ‘namas’ (bowing) and ‘te’ (to you).

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