Life As an Indian Woman in Oman

Vandana Verma lives in Oman, a country bordered by the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia on the southeast coast of the Arabian Peninsula. An educator, mother of two, and native of India, Verma talks about the modernization of Bedouin culture, celebrating India’s festival of light, and her desire to see the end of violence and strife.

Q: What was it like to grow up in India?

A: I was born in a place called Patna, the capital of Bihar, one of the many states in India. I am the eldest of five siblings. The initial ten years of my life were spent traveling around India as my father had a transferable job. So, we lived in west Bengal and various states of South India. When I was around eleven years old, we returned to Patna where I finished my schooling and my graduation from a missionary college. After my marriage at the age of twenty-three, I moved from Patna with my husband.

Q: What are some of the similarities and some of the differences between Indian culture and your current community in Oman?

A: Both the cultures believe in very strong cohesive family ties, and both the cultures are more conservative than the western community is.

Our values and principles, in many regards, are the same. For example, a son is expected to take care of his parents when he comes on his own. We have to show respect to our elders no matter what the relationship is.

Family is still involved in the selection of the spouse. The process of arranged marriage is still very much prevalent, though it is gradually changing—especially in India, as children are getting educated in the western countries.

Religious and philosophical principles guide the life of both the communities.

The Indian women by and large are professionals, open to the changes influencing the society, and so are the Omani women. They are encouraged to be educated and most of them are professionals.

Some of the differences: In India, by law you have to practice monogamy, whereas polygamy is widely practiced in Oman. There, it is acceptable to have four wives.

Islam dictates that alcohol is forbidden. No Muslim in Oman is allowed a liquor permit, whereas there are no such restrictions in the Indian culture.