Sunita Puri took her readers in for a deeper look into the bastardization of cultural identities by having another view it simply as ethnic fashion. A part of the modern lifestyle that looks hip and very happening without actually understanding the real meaning of the cultural item as it pertains to the ethnicity of the person. A multi-million dollar industry that has forever changed the face of South Asian cultures for the worse.
Cultural items are worn by a specific set of people in order to signify their religious beliefs or their cultural identity. In the country of origin, what we consider to be fashionable is actually a part of their way of life. Having it nice to look and possibly matching what one is wearing is not even part of what the person considers when he or she wears the item. For these people, it signifies a huge part of who they are and where they came from. These items are deeply rooted in tradition and culture and should therefore never be taken lightly by others. By wearing such items out of context is to show disrespect for a way of life — the cultures and traditions covering that particular belief.
However, there could be exceptions to the rule of cultural item wearing. If, for example, it is worn as part of an educational process, such as at a United Nations Day parade, that may be acceptable. Or if one finds himself visiting that particular country, he or she may show respect for their hosts by wearing the item in the proper context. It is never acceptable to wear these items to just make a fashion statement such as Madonna, Gwen Stefani, and Destiny’s Child have done to the bindi, wearing it only as part of their costume. That shows disrespect for the people who really wear the item for a reason.