Indian-Americans Suffer Spell of Depression

Psychologists reported a sharp rise in the number of Indian-Americans suffering from depression during the month of June, attributing it to widespread disappointment over the results of the National Spelling Bee.

“Indian-American children have historically done well in the contest,” said Atlanta psychologist John Shrinkman, “so there are high expectations every year. When those expectations aren’t met, it’s natural for people to be disappointed. In this case, an entire community was affected.”

Rajiv Tarigopula, 13, finished fourth at the 2006 Scripps National Spelling Bee, the best performance among Indian-American contestants. Indian-Americans had won five of the previous seven contests.

The expectations were especially high this year because of last year’s sweep of the top four positions by Anurag Kashyap, Aliya Deri, Samir Patel and Tarigopula, all of Indian ancestry.

“It’s not enough for our kids to win the contest,” said spelling coach Kaavya Anand. “We want them to sweep it. We want people to say, ‘Wow, those Indian kids sure can spell.’”

She noted that Indian-Americans are not represented in popular American sports like football, baseball and basketball. “We aren’t gifted in those sports,” she said. “But we’re dominant in the spelling bee and that gives us immense pride.”

That pride is captured in two of the most popular bumper stickers among Indian-Americans: “My kid kicked your kid’s butt in spelling” and “Your kid can’t even spell my kid’s last name.”

Previous spelling bee winners such as Sai Gunturi (2003), Pratyush Buddiga (2002) and George Abraham Thampy (2000) are treated like rock stars within the community. Thampy decided to grow a mustache and beard as a disguise after he attended an Indian-American cultural show and was mobbed by autograph seekers. “It’s madness,” he said. “I’m an ordinary human being who just happens to be blessed with spelling talent.”

While celebrities often register at hotels under fake names, Buddiga said he can’t even do that, because many hotels are operated by Indians, who would immediately recognize him. “I don’t mind if they just ask for an autograph,” he said. “But they’ll want me to pose for pictures with their entire family. Frankly, I’m tired of all the aunties pinching my cheeks and saying, ‘Such a smart boy.’”

This year’s National Spelling Bee received primetime coverage on ABC, prompting many Indian-American families to organize parties around the event. “This was our Super Bowl,” said Koshy George of Philadelphia. “I had all my friends over for beer, chips and samosas. We cheered and exchanged high-fives whenever a desi got a word right or a non-desi didn’t.”

But George said he felt “really down” after the contest. And the next day, depression set in. “My friends said to me, ‘Snap out of it. It’s only spelling,” he said. “But that’s like saying to a Brazilian after the World Cup loss, ‘Get over it. It’s only soccer.’”