Hitendra Wadhwa writes that during the coronavirus pandemic, the namaste greeting’s no-contact benefits are increasingly important – and meaningful.

“Namaste” is a Sanskrit word that is often used to end a yoga class. It is a respectful Indian greeting that translates literally as “I bow to you.” ...

(The Conversation) — As people the world over are choosing to ditch the handshakes and hugs for fear of contracting the coronavirus, namaste is becoming the perfect pandemic greeting.

Georgia parents were uncomfortable with the phrase's seeming religiosity. But to our author who grew up in India, namaste was a way of saying hello — respectfully — to his elders.

The Namaste greeting, traditional in Indian culture, involves placing one's hands together in a gesture of acknowledgment.

In the Vedas, namaste mostly occurs as a salutation to a divinity. But the use and meaning have evolved. Today, among Hindi speakers throughout the world, namaste is a simple greeting to say hello.

Georgia parents were uncomfortable with the phrase's seeming religiosity. But to our author who grew up in India, namaste was a way of saying hello — respectfully — to his elders.

Hitendra Wadhwa writes that during the coronavirus pandemic, the namaste greeting’s no-contact benefits are increasingly important – and meaningful.