Giving Thanks is Universal.
Of Gratitude Weeks, Globalization, and Storytelling
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone celebrating!
In my early years after moving first to London and then to Bangalore, the thing I missed most during Thanksgiving was pecan pie! (As a vegetarian, most other traditional foods were out of reach!)
Then, quite by accident, I discovered that while luxury hotel chains in India are known for their Christmas and New Year festivities, some also prepare for Thanksgiving. They offer pumpkin-based dishes, and pecan pies—sometimes on request!
Thus began my quaint ritual of seeking new sources of pecan pie in India.
The most recent find was at a cafe called Paper and Pie, which exudes a London vibe. They serve small, round pecan pies year-round—a delightful treat!
Somehow, I find that easy access dulls the joy and nostalgia tied to occasions with family and friends, vibrant fall colors, scattered leaves, and the chill of autumn air.
Still, giving thanks is a universal custom.
Each culture has its own days and unique traditions for expressing it.
Here, some celebrate a good harvest in April, while others do so in the fall.
Major festivals are often marked by feasts shared with friends and family.
I’ve covered many of these in real-time: April’s harvest events and cultural celebrations; ancestral thank-yous in September, and ancient victories in October, and the grand finale in November.
In today’s interconnected world, traditions blend effortlessly.
Lights turned on in November for Diwali often stay up through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s.
Here’s something that might surprise you: India now has Black Friday sales.
Introduced in recent years, these sales—on airline tickets and other online stores—are a clever marketing tactic to boost spending after Diwali, when retail activity typically slows until January.
Never mind that they’re entirely uncorrelated with the day of Thanksgiving!
The target audience for these sales includes digitally savvy consumers with disposable incomes and a keen awareness of global events.
The proliferation of our digital worlds has created a sense of connection, giving people the feeling of being part of global events.
November and December also bring respite for many in tech, with lighter workloads, fewer evening calls, and even the luxury of vacation without looming deadlines.
Some companies even mandate two-week shutdowns to save on operational costs, which often lead to increased travel and peak fares in India!
Thanks Are Due
In this November roundup, I’d like to take a moment to share my gratitude.
Unlike Oscar speeches, my list may not be short!
This journey of helloIndia! began on a whim a year ago with a short post on November 2, 2023.
I first announced its launch on LinkedIn and Medium.
Since then, I’ve written 138 stories, averaging 11.4 per month.
That number surprises me - I didn’t realize I had so many stories to tell!
But I suppose when you’re having fun, the stories have a way of revealing themselves.
To the first supporters:
Anthony and Doug, your early adoption, encouragement, and feedback meant the world.
Padma, Vinder, and
thank you for being among the first to read and comment, showing me that the stories resonated.To early founding members and subscribers who upgraded—
, Fritz Abhishek—thank you for your faith in these stories!To the first guest poster—
—thanks for your contribution!
To all regular readers: Your thoughtful comments, shared perspectives, and engagement have helped shape this publication.
Thanks
and many others!A special thanks to the 56 five-star and 74 four-star activity readers who’ve consistently followed my journey through the forests of ancient India and into the bustling cities of modern India.
To the 72 three-star activity readers and the rest of readers who’ve recently joined or engaged—thank you for being part of this growing community!
As I celebrate a year of writing, I’d like to share how this community has grown.
I last shared audience snapshots in Feb ‘24. Since then, readership has grown from 37 countries to 79 and from 34 U.S. states to 40.
This publication, with its four pillars, wouldn’t be where it is without your support.
My heartfelt thanks to each of you for engaging with this magazine-style project.
Some days, when the night is dark and the stars shine brightly, with city lights dimmed by power cuts or deliberately kept far away, humans gather—perhaps around campfires near jungles or perched on cars in the courtyards of old homes in ancient lands—to share stories for comfort, understanding, or awe.
Shared stories have long shaped how we view the world.
These rituals remind us that every being has a story to tell—one that teaches us to see life in new ways and brings meaning to our worlds, wherever we live.
So, this Thanksgiving, I am also grateful for the enterprising founders, innovators, and engineers who have helped shrink this vast Earth into bits and bytes.
These tiny fragments of information can travel instantly to its four corners, where they are reassembled as coherent stories for others to read—stories written thousands of miles away by a lone human.
For this progress, humans have waited thousands of years.
That, in itself, is a feat to be thankful for!
From my world to yours this Thanksgiving—wishing you a wonderful weekend.
Until next month, Au revoir!
Jayshree
p.s. My other monthly musings can be found here.
If helloIndia! has brought a little meaning to your world, consider sharing it with someone who might feel the same.
As a thank you for your support, I’m delighted to offer a 50% lifetime discount on annual and gift subscriptions—just $30 instead of the regular $60.
Ohhhhh . . . . little pecan pies all year round! I love your story-telling and have learned so much. Thank YOU! Looking forward to reading much more.
Jayshree, A belated note of gratitude to you! The little pecan pies sound delightful!