Indian Cheers

       One Friday evening in 2001, after coming back from the work to the hostel around 6.45 pm, I was delighted to see the arrangement of a party in the common kitchen. Immediately rushed to my room and took a hot shower. Got fresh, teeth were doubly checked and brushed. I came out of my room with fresh clothes and perfumes. I just forgot any failure or pain in the lab of the day. The mind filled with some pleasure and the face with a sweet smile. Party already started, I joined with a bottle of wine. This nice evening was in Aarhus Denmark. The hostel was full of varieties of students from different countries who were studying at the University. Obviously, the excitement can be imagined from the fact that it was an international party among many young boys and girls. Many students from France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic, Greece, Russia, Poland, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, and I was the only one from India. A total of around 40 people were there. Party was ripening at around 11.30 pm. People were a little bubbly and drunk. The conversation was getting louder. Music was on but no one was concentrating on it. Everyone was sitting in the table, eating and drinking. Once someone started from a corner of the table that what they say in France for cheers? Sophie the France girl said 'sante'. Everyone did sante with their own glass and drank a sip whatever they had in their glasses. Sophie then asked Laura what they say in Spain for cheers while toast? She said 'Salud'. Everyone shouted salud with full energy and drank a sip. The chain continued for many countries.....'Alla Salute' or 'Cin Cin Alla Salute' for Italy, 'Prost' for Germany, 'Genbei' for China, 'Barsulang' for Indonesia.and so on. I was thinking what should I say when my turn would come? I don't know any other words except Cheers in India. But I was not feeling comfortable to say Cheers as I was afraid they might laugh and think that we were ruled by British and therefore we still follow them. I started thinking with extra energy to my brain as I was sure that there would be a word for us but it was maybe not coming to my mind. Such a big country with so many languages, why there will be not a small word available for it for this kind of common activity. I was feeling very restless and shy to say cheers. Suddenly I remembered a story once I was going to a tribal village where I saw elderly people were drinking their homemade alcoholic rice beverages in a ritual ceremony and started the drink by saying 'Raiz Dharak'. Dharak in terms of food or drink in our language means to start something. Ha Ha Ha .....I immediately felt relaxed. When my turn came I said 'dharak dharak' for Bharat (India). Everybody at the party drank a sip of their drink by shouting dharak dharak and showing their respect authentically to my country. Oh.....I felt proud of those elderly tribal people .....Heartiest thanks .....