Dear St. Olaf Community,
We arrived in India a week ago. Leaving Egypt was hard for us as a group. We had grown accustomed to the people there and to the loud, fast paced energy that infused daily life. We also had to deal with leaving the relationships we had made. There was a sense of urgency during our last hours to get email addresses, in the hope that technology will enable us to maintain friendships that would be difficult otherwise.
Getting off the plane in Mumbai, we found ourselves initially experiencing a different form of culture shock than we had in Egypt with regards to our senses. Gone were the shades of beige; in came vibrant hues - the green landscape that enveloped the city and countryside, the blue tarps providing shelter throughout one of Asia's largest slums, and the multi-colored saris draped on women of all ages. Smells of all kinds attacked our senses - fresh fruits and spices sold on the streets coupled with the whiffs of State Fair port-a-potties. Driving from the airport to the YMCA that would be home for a few days showed us just a fraction of the immense city that is Mumbai, but we immediately saw the extreme poverty we had heard so much about. Poverty in Mumbai is not compartmentalized; the sidewalks were crowded with homes constructed from corrugated tin and scrap wood, supported by the fences of wealthy estates. The disparity we saw in Cairo may have prepared us for the poverty we have and will continue to see in India, but the ways we cope with this phenomenon have been challenged immensely. Another adjustment that we have faced is food. Many of our Scandinavian taste buds were apprehensive of the spices and flavors that are standard components in Indian fare. Meals are abundant with multiple courses and too many dishes to try at once.
Our time in Mumbai would not have been complete without a visit to the key historical sights that have shaped the city. A ferry took us to Elephanta Island, a sacred Hindu temple that used to be along the Portuguese trade route. Built in 700 AD, the rock-cut temples found on this island are dedicated to the God Shiva. The sculptures depict this deity in the three forms, the generator, the operator, and the destroyer. This initial immersion in Hindu tradition provided a good beginning to our onsite course on the religions of India. We were also exposed to examples of early 20 th century Indian history with our visit to the Prince of Wales Museum and Mahatma Gandhi's home in Mumbai.
In the absence of interaction with AUC students in Egypt, we were thankful for the opportunity to visit with Indian students when we spent a day at Rizvi Law College. A St. Olaf connection has been forged with this educational institution, thanks to the current principal who used to be in charge of the Global program at the Ecumenical Christian Center outside of Bangalore. Dr. Sunil John gave an enlightening lecture regarding globalization and its impact on India. While globalization used to be concerned primarily with westernization, he proposed that emerging countries like India have changed this. The year 2008 brings a globalization in reverse where Indian companies, commodities, and people are in the process of being globalized. Even our quaint town of Northfield is home to two Indian restaurants, Chapati and Kurry Kabab. Dr. John acknowledged the challenges of globalization that are confronting India. Although India has emerged within the last decade as one of the leaders in the IT world, the effects of computerization in eradicating poverty and raising the standard of living in typical Indian villages is yet to be seen. However, since India has a very large population and a consequent business sector which is still in need of modernization, the potential for further development is promising. We fully expect to be confronted by these issues everywhere we go.
Continuing in the tradition of past Global Semesters, we spent time at Mother Theresa's orphanage and home for the sick and dying (Asha daan). As we walked in, we saw cribs lining the room, several of them housing children who were blind, maimed, or had other special needs of varying severity. These children, cast out by society, are showered with love and affection by the Sisters of Charity and caretakers that direct the orphanage. Given the large numbers of children who live there, the orphanage is still seriously understaffed, leaving the children to more or less fend for themselves, some within the constraints of their beds. For that reason alone, our desire to lift the children out of their beds and play with them for a few hours was met with a warm and hearty appreciation. (We were told that most people who drop off donations rarely stay and spend time with the children). Two Globalites, Chris Lomen and Brita Johnson, filled the room music with their guitar and viola respectively. As we continue to process what we saw at the orphanage, it is difficult to put this experience into words that accurately portray the emotions that we felt.
While the morning left many of us with feelings of helplessness, our afternoon visit to Marketplace India paved the way for a sense of hope. Marketplace is a series of cooperatives designed to help women lift themselves out of poverty. They are given basic tailoring and embroidery instruction so that they are able to sew clothing that is then sold in the United States. This form of collaboration is a direct positive result of globalization. When Marketplace visits St. Olaf this spring, we are given an opportunity to share this vision with people back home. This organization serves as a ray of hope amidst darkness. While places like Smart Village in Egypt are working to build and sustain a middle class, Marketplace is the first tangible initiative we have seen that is reaching out to those in the lowest echelons of society. By investing in the poor, these cooperatives are placing the future of the poor in their hands.
As our course on the religions of India begins, we look forward to unraveling the rich and multi-layered culture and tradition of India through our time at the Ecumenical Christian Center and excursions around South India.
Peace and Love,
Globalites 2008
