In India, it is a tradition to touch the feet of elders as a sign of respect. On closer inspection, I find myself questioning this practice. When we join our hands in a namaste, we also express respect, so what additional value is gained from touching someone’s feet? Moreover, feet are often the dirtiest part of the body, being constantly exposed to the ground.
Another aspect that raises questions is the gender-specific expectation associated with this practice. Unmarried girls are often taught, “ladkiyan pair nahi chhuti” (girls do not touch feet). Yet, as soon as they get married, they are expected to touch the feet of all elders. This shift brings up several questions: What does gender have to do with this tradition? Why does marital status suddenly change the expectations for women?
Furthermore, the practice assumes that respect is automatically due based on age rather than wisdom or character. Why should respect be tied to age alone? Isn’t wisdom a more appropriate criterion for earning respect? Also, why must one touch another person’s feet to show respect when simply joining hands in a namaste can convey the same sentiment?