By Harshita Singh, student at Sunbeam School, Lahartara.
Living in Varanasi, far from the coasts, it’s easy to forget how oceans influence our lives. But think about the chai or the coffee in South Indian homes. Tea came to India via the British East India Company, originating in China and traveling across oceans. Similarly, coffee arrived in India when Baba Budan brought seeds from Yemen through the Arabian Sea.
Even our clothes tell oceanic stories. Indian textiles, like cotton, became global commodities through maritime trade, while silk from China added luxury to our traditional sarees. Without these oceanic connections, would Varanasi’s famous silk sarees exist in their current form?
Oceans have not just carried goods but ideas and traditions that shape societies. The spices in Indian cuisine, the beverages we enjoy, and the textiles we cherish all owe their journeys to the sea.
Exploring these stories made me realize how oceans act as bridges, connecting people and cultures across time. They may seem distant, but their impact is deeply woven into our daily lives, making us part of a global legacy. Look around—what oceanic journeys shaped your world?
