After being interviewed several times, I realized something. Why have I been asked about my culture? Why have I been asked if my parents approve of my gaming life? It wasn't even about me being female anymore, it goes much deeper than that. The time's that I've wrapped a sari around my body or gently placed a bindi on my forehead, I never really looked in the mirror to realize who I was. It hit me, I am an indian female. But what does that mean?

Traditional Indian dress

Women have come along way in this world. We can vote now, get a job, get divorces and many other things. To the general public, equality issues have died out. Have they really? There are still many problems that remain hidden in our world, female gaming may seem petty but in some countries it's looked at as a sin almost.

Wake up call

Yes I am Indian, but I was born in New York City. I can't speak Hindi fluently, I don't believe in my Hindu religion and for the most part I consider myself American. There are sometimes though, where I experience a culture clash.

My parents were born and brought up in India. They went to all girls and all boys schools, they never dated, never had a TV or a computer and their marriage was even arranged. To this day, my parents nag me about my gaming life "Stop sitting on the computer, go read a book!" To them, the only thing that matters for an Indian woman is being educated, getting a job, getting married and having kids.

You may think that sounds crazy, but it's worse in India. My DotA team (all-female) has been invited to attend a huge gaming event in India this summer. The organizers of the event were told about my team by a friend (thanks Elroy) and they were shocked to learn that the leader was an Indian girl. My team will be up for a surprise, I don't think they will understand the kind of reactions that we will get until we get there.

Granted I am used to hearing "OMG a girl!?" on ventrilo every now and then when I speak, but this was different. This time it wasn't a sense of excitement, rather utter confusion. When I heard there was an Indian team for Prime Nations #2, I wanted to join it immediately. The kinds of reactions I got from the Indian community were daunting at times. I was offended almost, why was it such a big deal?

I never realized how different I was until the captain of the Indian prime nations team talked to me one day. He told me female gaming doesn't even exist in India, and when I thought of it, so far I'm the only Indian female gamer known to my existance. He kept asking me to write something on the subject, that it was something the Indian community would love to read. It was then I decided that this was something I should work more on.

The Future

When I was a little girl I wanted to be a teacher, like my mother. It was secure, I could spend summers with my kids and it was just an average job. Over the years though, I realized I am not average. I have competition oozing out of my veins and my priorities are different from the standard Indian girl. There are so many things I want to accomplish, especially with female gaming.

The PMS Clan leader, Amber "Athena Twin" Dalton, will be travelling to India with our team. Together, we want to make a difference in the female gaming world. We want to promote it, show girls that they shouldn't be afraid to pick up a controller or put on a headset.