Here I am, amidst the joy and festivities of a three-day Indian wedding celebration.

About half the Indian weddings I attend these days unite ethnic Indians with non-Indians. Another quarter are North Indians marrying South Indians, a union that would have been unlikely, had we stayed in India.

Marrying someone outside one’s culture requires an appreciation, understanding and acceptance of differences.  And amidst the vibrant colors and traditions of these weddings, I witness these qualities shine through.

When my generation ventured abroad some 40 years ago, it was solely in pursuit of higher education and economic opportunity. Little did we know that, on a micro level, our actions would some day be contributing just a tiny bit to make the world a global village – one wedding at a time!