As much as we would like to believe we live in a scientific and rational age where reason triumphs, old superstitions always live on.

India’s gen next may be flaunting their tech-savvy global attitude. But existing covertly with that is a compelling need to conform to superstitious beliefs.

A cat crossing the path just before Aditya went out for his Math exam created in him an unwanted fear. He didn’t want to believe it, yet something told him his day would not be fine.

What is it about superstitions that we tend to hold on to them, despite seeking scientific explanations?

Is it that we do not want to “risk” executing some important task without pandering to these beliefs, despite it being considered silly by others?

Or is it that we just want to follow these beliefs as there is no harm in doing so, if, eventually, something good comes of it?

Many adhere to them to avoid unpleasantness with elders, or because it has gradually been implanted in their minds, since they are young.

Personal experience

Sumithra T.V, a lecturer at BNMIT Computers says: “Others may find it strange. But, for me, it is a way of life. I strongly believe wearing certain colours like red, orange and pink benefit me more than other colours. Since I was young I have been told by my parents that these colours are good for me and somehow I have believed in them as I have found that good things happen whenever I wear them.”

Twenty-something Abhijit Sharma, a student of architecture, says: “Though I may not feel horrible when a cat crosses my path, certain things like handing over money with the right hand is somehow within me as that’s how I have learnt it from my parents. I have never bothered to question it as I think it is to show respect to something like money.”

He also points out that traditional superstitions might have had some reason associated with them, but down generations it might have got lost, with no formal documentation.

A practice such as not cutting nails at night may be embedded in the rationale that centuries ago there was not much light and one could get hurt.

“But unfortunately only the principle is passed and not the reason, hence we find these beliefs silly.”

Homemaker Girija Prasad says: “While I might laugh at others with silly superstitions, come to think of it, I do not like giving money to my house help on certain days as I have come to believe it will decrease my fortune! Now this might be a frivolous issue but by following it, I see no harm.”

Avoiding fear of the unknown

However, there are quite a number of youngsters who want to reject such beliefs to show that they are, after all, simply superstitions; false beliefs.

Suman Jadugar, an artiste, says: “I find many of my peers follow certain beliefs that they have inherited from their parents or something that has been on the circuit as ‘invented beliefs’. This may be because they have found out something good happening to them accidentally by adhering to certain practices. Yet the real reason they follow such ideas mindlessly is because they lack the confidence, and try to avoid fears.”

Acknowledging that superstitions can co-exist with modern ideas, today’s youth have no qualms in balancing the two thought processes.

While some may give in easily to these beliefs, there are those also who want to confront it on the basis of rationale.

RESHMA KRISHNAMURTHY SHARMA