Studying medicine in Georgia has become an increasingly popular choice for Indian students over the past decade. Georgian universities, particularly in cities such as Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kutaisi, welcome a large number of Indian MBBS aspirants each year. While academic rigor is a core part of student life, one equally important element for these students is the celebration of cultural identity and traditions. For Indians abroad, festivals are more than just occasions of joy—they are vital lifelines connecting them to their roots.
Indian MBBS students in Georgia not only keep these traditions alive but also reinvent the way they celebrate festivals in a foreign land. From organizing cultural events to cooking traditional food in hostels, these festivities provide comfort, companionship, and a sense of belonging amidst the demanding journey of becoming doctors. This article explores in detail how Indian students celebrate festivals in Georgia, the challenges they face, the role of student communities, and the significance of these cultural practices in their overseas lives.
Festivals are deeply rooted in Indian culture, each carrying symbolic, religious, and social values. For students living thousands of kilometers away from their families, celebrating festivals abroad is not only a way of honoring traditions but also a coping mechanism to combat homesickness.
The vibrant colors of Holi, the lights of Diwali, the spirituality of Navratri, and the patriotic fervor of Independence Day bring a sense of home to students in Georgia. Such celebrations provide them with moments of relief from the academic stress of medical studies. Moreover, they help create a tight-knit Indian student community that supports each other in both academic and personal challenges.
Most Georgian universities with a sizable Indian student population have active Indian Student Associations (ISA) or cultural committees. These associations play a vital role in coordinating events, raising funds, and ensuring that major festivals are celebrated in an organized manner.
Planning: Weeks before an event, student groups plan the budget, venue, and participation.
Sponsorships: Local Indian restaurants or businesses in Tbilisi often sponsor food and cultural activities.
Involvement: Students from different batches contribute, ensuring unity across years.
This institutionalized form of celebration ensures that festivals are more than small gatherings; they often become grand cultural shows where even Georgian peers and other international students are invited.
Diwali is one of the most widely celebrated Indian festivals among MBBS students in Georgia. Despite being far from home, students make every effort to replicate the joy of Diwali.
Decorations: Hostel rooms and rented apartments are adorned with fairy lights, candles, and rangolis.
Traditional attire: Students dress in kurtas, sarees, and lehengas, bringing ethnic color to the Georgian setting.
Community gathering: Universities often organize Diwali evenings featuring cultural performances like dance, music, and drama.
Food: Indian dishes like samosas, jalebi, gulab jamun, and paneer curries are cooked collectively or ordered from Indian restaurants in Tbilisi.
The highlight of Diwali celebrations is the cultural evening, where Indian students showcase Bollywood dances, devotional songs, and even modern skits. Firecrackers, though limited due to regulations, are sometimes arranged on a small scale, symbolizing the festival’s essence.
Holi is another festival that Indian MBBS students celebrate with immense enthusiasm in Georgia. Even though the Georgian spring might be chilly compared to India, Holi brings warmth through camaraderie.
Color play: Students gather in open university grounds or parks, armed with organic colors. Throwing colors, dancing, and enjoying water fights make the day vibrant.
Music and dance: Bollywood and Punjabi songs dominate the atmosphere, with impromptu dance sessions taking center stage.
Food: Thandai, pakoras, and gujiyas are prepared or substituted with available Georgian sweets.
Holi is more inclusive than other festivals, as it attracts participation from Georgian locals and other international students who find the color festival fascinating. It often serves as a bridge between cultures, promoting friendship and diversity.
Navratri holds a special place, especially for students from Gujarat and Maharashtra. In Georgia, Indian student groups organize Garba and Dandiya nights during Navratri.
Traditional clothing: Students wear chaniya cholis, dupattas, and kediyu, recreating the authentic Indian atmosphere.
Dance: Dandiya and Garba are performed to Bollywood and traditional Gujarati music.
Spiritual touch: Some students also organize small pujas or prayers before starting the celebrations.
These events often attract wide participation and serve as a reminder of the spiritual and communal joy that Navratri brings.
National festivals such as 15th August and 26th January are celebrated with patriotic zeal by Indian MBBS students in Georgia. These occasions often take the form of cultural and educational programs.
Flag hoisting: The Indian flag is raised at university campuses or community centers.
Cultural events: Speeches, poetry recitations, patriotic songs, and short plays are performed.
Unity: These celebrations not only strengthen national pride but also create awareness among international peers about India’s history and democratic values.
Though on a smaller scale compared to Diwali and Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi and Durga Puja are celebrated by regional student groups.
Ganesh Chaturthi: Clay idols of Lord Ganesha are crafted or purchased locally. Students perform aarti, sing bhajans, and share prasad.
Durga Puja: Bengali students often lead the organization, arranging cultural performances, recitations, and communal feasts.
These festivals maintain a spiritual environment and allow students to practice their religious traditions collectively.
India’s diversity ensures that Indian Muslim students also celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha with friends in Georgia.
Prayers: Students visit mosques in Tbilisi or nearby cities.
Food: Special dishes like biryani, kebabs, sevaiyan, and sweets are shared among friends, irrespective of religion.
Unity: Eid celebrations highlight inclusivity within the Indian student community, reinforcing India’s multicultural ethos abroad.
Though not traditionally Indian festivals, Indian MBBS students in Georgia often blend their cultural celebrations with Georgian customs during Christmas and New Year. They exchange gifts, decorate Christmas trees, and host potluck parties that merge Indian and Georgian cuisines. This cultural adaptation helps them feel integrated into Georgian society while keeping their own traditions intact.
While festivals are celebrated with zeal, students face several challenges:
Logistics: Procuring Indian clothes, ingredients, and religious items can be difficult.
Time constraints: Academic pressure often reduces the time available for elaborate celebrations.
Budget: Organizing large-scale events requires funds, which students often collect through contributions.
Cultural adaptation: Some rituals cannot be performed exactly as in India due to restrictions or lack of resources.
Despite these hurdles, the resilience and creativity of students ensure that celebrations remain meaningful and joyful.
Celebrating Indian festivals in Georgia has profound benefits for MBBS students:
Emotional well-being: Festivals reduce homesickness and bring comfort during stressful academic schedules.
Cultural identity: Students stay connected to their roots, ensuring cultural preservation abroad.
Social bonding: Festivals strengthen friendships and promote unity among Indian students.
Cross-cultural exchange: Georgian locals and international peers often join celebrations, enhancing cultural understanding.
As the number of Indian MBBS students in Georgia continues to grow, festival celebrations are becoming more organized and widespread. With the involvement of Indian embassies, cultural organizations, and local businesses, these events are likely to become grander and more visible in Georgian society.
The celebrations also play a soft power role by promoting Indian culture globally. Georgian locals who witness these festivals often develop a curiosity for Indian traditions, food, and cinema, contributing to cultural diplomacy.
For Indian MBBS students in Georgia, festivals are not merely dates on the calendar; they are lifelines that bridge the gap between home and a foreign land. Whether it is the lights of Diwali, the colors of Holi, or the spiritual chants of Navratri, these celebrations bring warmth, joy, and togetherness. They create a home away from home, keeping students rooted in Indian traditions while allowing them to share their heritage with international peers.
In the demanding journey of becoming doctors, these festivals provide moments of relief, bonding, and cultural pride, ensuring that while they pursue global dreams, they never lose touch with their Indian identity.