Hello Everyone!
As promised, here’s a bit on
my first few days in India, although already we’ve done so much I feel like
I’ve been here much longer than that. The whole group arrived safely here in
Mysore on Friday morning, and we’ve been settling in nicely since then.
The first order of business
on Friday was to go shopping for the appropriate attire for our stay here
(pictures definitely will speak for me on this one). Other than that, we got
our first view of the city, ate our first meals (spicy, but so good!...we’re
getting used to the flavors too) at the hostel, and got a quick glance of SVYM.
We also all experienced the extreme exhaustion that comes with such a long
trip.
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| A scene from the road in Hebbal, Mysore, which is the neighborhood near our Hostel |
On Saturday we had our
orientation, which began with a very nice ceremony welcoming us to SVYM. After
a tour of the campus, we participated in a lamp-lighting ceremony and listened
to words about SVYM’s mission as an organization. This part was especially
interesting to me as Madame Sindhu, our program coordinator, stressed that
India is at a “critical juncture” and that SVYM aims to catalyze India’s
development through the growth of human capital. Not only does this mission
statement resonate with me, but it also provides me with a deeper context for
the reason for my project.
Today the group toured
Mysore, and this was truly an amazing experience. We started the day at the
Mysore palace, where we learned not only the royal history of the city but also
the city’s relationship with the British and how it gained independence. The
palace was BEAUTIFUL, so beautiful in fact that we went back at night to see it
lit up. Again, pictures will do it more justice than I can with words.
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| The front of the palace during daytime |
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| A group of us in front of the palace, which is only lit up on Sunday nights. |
We also visited St.
Philomena’s church and Chamundi Hill, at the top of which is a beautiful
temple. We watched an offering ceremony inside the temple and took advantage of
the spectacular views of Mysore from outside.
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| The temple at Chamundi Hill |
Before I sign off, I want to
mention an observation/thought (among many) I’ve had over the first few days:
why the sharp divide between wealth and poverty? I noticed it driving through Bangalore on the
way to Mysore and also a little bit here. I don’t know the answer, but through
the newer presence big industries, like Infosys in Mysore, my thoughts turn to
the need for high-skilled labor and the apparent lack of it. Does training in particular industries
contribute to wealth? Are there other avenues for upward mobility? I’m sure
there are tons of answers to this question, and I definitely hope to explore
them in classes (which start tomorrow!) these first two weeks.
Ok, that’s all for now!
All the best,
Abigail
