I left Mumbai April 3rd. Me, ruby & zara boarded delta flight 185 - 17 hours to atlanta. woo hoo! After having to take each cat out of their cage, walk them thru the metal detector, send each cage individually thru the bag screener. Again, go thru delta's extra assuring security - each cat out of their cage and the guard searching the cage, I made it on.
A friend helped me out and the delta agent assigning seats gave me a seat with an empty beside....so I could place both cats in the seats underneath. After, zara nearly ripping thru the cage on the way to the airport, me in tears because (maybe leaving india was part of it) but I had forgotten the upc code stickers for the cats microchip implants, karilyn, paul and mukesh comforting me, mukesh sitting with me for 3 hours waiting for the flight we finally took off! USA.
I think it had been 8 or 9 months and I was not really ready. I had extended my stay in Mumbai, had some fun coaching a middle school girl's basketball team : ) I like that age group and reminded me of the fun times I had coaching my sophomore and high school girls in Norman.
I had some great times with friends before leaving, trips to goa! scooters, fresh raviolis, boat rides, train rides, pool parties, retro music, brunches, bollywood dance classes, my kiddos and colleagues at nareshwadi and atma and amazing, fabulous, crazy lovely people I will not forget (sniff, sniff).
I stayed with paul and karilyn for about 6 hospitable months (moved with them!) and then because I decided to extend my stay I sub let a place for a few months and again synchroniscally met up with a couple of friends who I let stay as a favor and then we ended up decided to all be roomies. Why not stuff 3 people in a one bedroom?! It is only 2 months. It surpisingly worked out well. I think we stuffed 6 people in at one time, with visitors and sleepovers.
Again, the people I have met in my 4 1/2 years and the experiences have shaped my life. Lifelong friends.
So now on with life. I was not as ambitious in securing a job prior to departing india, it was my plan but did not pan out. I am in Tulsa now, on top of the international job search. and finally updating my blog.
I was reunited with my blog title inspiration, the bleu velo and have been enjoying some rides around the arkansas river. I spent time in Alabama with my college friend Ali, in California with my grandparents and my friend from jr high, for the past 23 years, in Colorado and her new baby braxton (www.worldofbrax.blogspot.com).
Now back in Tulsa with family, I saw my brother and sister graduate (2 grueling ceremonies, why do theyhave to be sooo long?!) from college - yay!!! Celebrated mother's day with all my siblings, first time we have all been together in a few years in tulsa.
So now hard on the job search, looking for international health and development positions. I would love another international posting, India or elsewhere. Most of the US based positions I am interested in are in DC, NY or SF....all places I would love to try out living. for a few years!
I miss the daily excitement of India. Loud, stimulating rickshaw rides. Fruit and veggie wallas. Kids in the village. My friends. The food. But i am happy to have my family here in tulsa. Summer is here, sunshiney days....I have grown to love the sun and heat of india. At least that feels familar here in oklahoma.
On to planning new adventures.....
Monday, June 01, 2009
Wednesday, January 07, 2009
Back in Bombay!
Mike & Aliya on the mumbai localGoa, Kerela, Tamil Nadu and Mumbai times were fun - they got to meet some of my lovely friends, we had 'unforgettable' bus rides, sleepy train rides and lots of beach time. Now back in the big bustling bombay - last couple of months with my friends and trying to figure out what I am going to do next....now I will start the intense job hunt and finish my application for UC Denver PhD program.
Lots of the unknown at the moment....I am sure it will all work out, seems to do that in life!
South Mumbai
Goa hike to Monkey Island with family from Denmark, led by our guide Ajay (taking the photo). Palolem Beach
Goan sunset : )
Loongis - man skirts worn often in the south of india. This is the short, hiked up version.
wall sign in kerela
Halwa,a yummy gummy textured sweet. Calicut or Khozikode is a well known area for making this deliciousness. I sampled several and bought coconut and pista.
Our Boat in Kerela - near Calicut
Kerela backwater trip
Elephant bling, this guy has gold chains!
South india, the land of loongis...a man riding a bike in loongi and decorative material too.
drying out my phone, dropped it in the river
If we aren't on a bus or train we are waiting on one....bus stop at Silent Valley National Park, Kerela
On bus to Tamil Border - our driver. One of the 5 buses that day!
On our first bus of the day....unforgetable : ) in kerela
Auroville, Tamil Nadu, near Pondicherry
First drum purchased in India, after being harrassed for 4 years by various drumsellers I gave in, Mike's Winter Solstice gift! But our drumseller did follow thru on helping us...surprise.
Friends from Sudan we met in Auroville, Tamil Nadu
Rickshaw run Day 1 - Pondicherry, Beach Road
Elephant bling, this guy has gold chains!
South india, the land of loongis...a man riding a bike in loongi and decorative material too.
drying out my phone, dropped it in the river
If we aren't on a bus or train we are waiting on one....bus stop at Silent Valley National Park, Kerela
On bus to Tamil Border - our driver. One of the 5 buses that day!
On our first bus of the day....unforgetable : ) in kerela
Auroville, Tamil Nadu, near PondicherryFirst drum purchased in India, after being harrassed for 4 years by various drumsellers I gave in, Mike's Winter Solstice gift! But our drumseller did follow thru on helping us...surprise.
Friends from Sudan we met in Auroville, Tamil Nadu
Rickshaw run Day 1 - Pondicherry, Beach RoadThursday, January 01, 2009
Travels in South India with Mike & Aliya
I have been off the net for some time, even before leaving for mumbai, between my screen on laptop dying, moving, hence no net access for a bit, I was not my usual net addicted self.
Have had sooo much fun traveling with my brother Mike & his sweet girlfriend Aliya, we split up after pondicherry - they were headed to Chennai then hyderabad to see a friend of aliya's - I stayed back in Pondicherry to see Karilyn and paul off on their rickshaw ride, then since I was going to catch a bus the same direction decided to hop in with them to their first stop.
It was fun to travel with them for 1/2 a day. We had planning this trip for 8 months or so,then after my broken arm they found a sub, janikka, but at the last minute she decided not to go - so there was space and paul and karilyn decided, even if I could not contribute by driving (all the starting, clutch and gear shifting is in the left hand/wrist which I broke) that my company was valuable and for the moral support. Makes me feel good to be wanted, but I am also lookng fwd to get my cast off on monday when I am back in mumbai - so perhaps after I get that off and mike and aliya have left, i will meet them in varanasi - towards the end of the adventure, need to check on my finances first and plan my US return.
would be great to see the other parts of india in that northern section i have not seen - will send try to post photos of the pimped out auto soon - you can see the blog link - www.karmakab.blogspot.com
I am going back to mumbai a diff route through goa, mike left a bag there and a friend from the guesthouse ran to the train stn to pick it up so will go back that route to get back and a day and 1/2 laying on the beach : ) I will meet mike and aliya on the 4th or 5th in Mumbai before they leave on the 7th. I hope to be able to show them the village i work in nareshwadi, will see how we all feel, after all this travel we may be too tired for the 3 hour journey to the school. Want the students to meet mike and aliya, they are such a delight and fun! (ha! all, the students and mike and aliya!)
My brother mike certainly knows how to rough it in regards to accomadation, but it is great to travel with him. He is so easy going and resoureful. He found us rooms (all three of us stayed the night for about $5) near the natl park, when we were told nothing was avail. for the night - it will probably be one of the most memorable experiences of the trip, finding the natl park, all the buses, trains and taxis and just trying to find food.
In such small villages restaurants close early, or run out of food. We at some rotis (like tortillas) and sambar (the south indian version of the basic lentil soup dal) and they did make us something between an apam and dosa (crispy pancakes made from a batter of fermented rice). Was simple but filling!
then the overnight bus ride we pushed ourselves and made it into pondicherry, i thought it was 4 hours, ended up being 6! and we had the MOST uncomfortable seats on the bus due it being so full (well, perhaps the man laying on the floor was worse off, but at least he could stretch out the whole way). The 3 of us were bounced a couple of feet of our seats several times throughout the night, with the pot holes and speed bumps the driver took as a challenge rather than suggetion to slow.
Aliya and i were dreaming of a hotel my friend janikka sent us a link to and said she had booked for us for our 3 night stay in pondicherry, it look like the most luxurious place we had stayed the entire trip, modern decorations, clean comfy beds - and although the most expensive (750 rupees = $18/night) we were willing, rooms were fully booked around the new year time we were told. Well, as we arrive at 4am our hopes quickly fizzled, Aliya said - "this does not look like the hotel on the internet" not a bit - but turned out to be comfy even with my stained sheets with holes. It did have TV & Air Conditioning!
So after riding with paul and karilyn (she just called and told me they had aleady broken done once this morning and were repairing a flat tire at the time she was calling! ha!) about 90 kms (it took about 4 or 5 hours, we broke down once and the machine kept stallling - the new engine could not go beyond 35 kms per hour) I caught a bus, thru much chaos, there were 1000s of other people also getting buses - and i really did not know where in chennai i needed to go, so had to ask 20 diff people, the buses were packed, diffiult to fit on with my big travel backpack - besides not knowing the name of places.
There was an isreali couple wanting to get to the airport in chennai. We just about hired a taxi for $30 - huge amt of money due to the shortage of transport, was holiday, new years day so many people had come to the beach and also decided to leave around 9pm, time I was leaving.
After befriending some guys from Sudan (students here in india) Ended up finding the correct bus for about $1.50, then hired a rickshaw to get to the train stn to get to my 11:30pm train - then had to run around to as the ticket collector if there was any beds avail (overnight train to reach bangalore at 5am) because train was sold out apparently and i had bought a tix for general at 11pm when i finally reached so at the tix collector's mercy.
Got on the train with guy from Indian airforce, then finally an hour later talked to the TC and found a bed that was free!! so slept and arrived in the morning to Bangalore. Then i wanted to catch a 6am train but b/c so tired, waited in 15 minute line to get my tix but could not find the correct platform : ( so stood by when i finally found train and watched it pull out, it was going just fast enough i did not feel safe jumping for it, at least wtih a big pack on my back and my arm in a cast.
So booked an overnight bus and spending the day in bangalore, good i guess, i can catch up on my emails. i had just hoped to be heading back sooner and getting my traveling over with. I rented a room for the day so i could shower, now will catch up on net, maybe get a pedicure and take a nap or see a movie before my 5:30 pm bus.
The adventure never ends, but I love it!!
Happy New Year to all - may you have a year full of health, happiness and growth!
Have had sooo much fun traveling with my brother Mike & his sweet girlfriend Aliya, we split up after pondicherry - they were headed to Chennai then hyderabad to see a friend of aliya's - I stayed back in Pondicherry to see Karilyn and paul off on their rickshaw ride, then since I was going to catch a bus the same direction decided to hop in with them to their first stop.
It was fun to travel with them for 1/2 a day. We had planning this trip for 8 months or so,then after my broken arm they found a sub, janikka, but at the last minute she decided not to go - so there was space and paul and karilyn decided, even if I could not contribute by driving (all the starting, clutch and gear shifting is in the left hand/wrist which I broke) that my company was valuable and for the moral support. Makes me feel good to be wanted, but I am also lookng fwd to get my cast off on monday when I am back in mumbai - so perhaps after I get that off and mike and aliya have left, i will meet them in varanasi - towards the end of the adventure, need to check on my finances first and plan my US return.
would be great to see the other parts of india in that northern section i have not seen - will send try to post photos of the pimped out auto soon - you can see the blog link - www.karmakab.blogspot.com
I am going back to mumbai a diff route through goa, mike left a bag there and a friend from the guesthouse ran to the train stn to pick it up so will go back that route to get back and a day and 1/2 laying on the beach : ) I will meet mike and aliya on the 4th or 5th in Mumbai before they leave on the 7th. I hope to be able to show them the village i work in nareshwadi, will see how we all feel, after all this travel we may be too tired for the 3 hour journey to the school. Want the students to meet mike and aliya, they are such a delight and fun! (ha! all, the students and mike and aliya!)
My brother mike certainly knows how to rough it in regards to accomadation, but it is great to travel with him. He is so easy going and resoureful. He found us rooms (all three of us stayed the night for about $5) near the natl park, when we were told nothing was avail. for the night - it will probably be one of the most memorable experiences of the trip, finding the natl park, all the buses, trains and taxis and just trying to find food.
In such small villages restaurants close early, or run out of food. We at some rotis (like tortillas) and sambar (the south indian version of the basic lentil soup dal) and they did make us something between an apam and dosa (crispy pancakes made from a batter of fermented rice). Was simple but filling!
then the overnight bus ride we pushed ourselves and made it into pondicherry, i thought it was 4 hours, ended up being 6! and we had the MOST uncomfortable seats on the bus due it being so full (well, perhaps the man laying on the floor was worse off, but at least he could stretch out the whole way). The 3 of us were bounced a couple of feet of our seats several times throughout the night, with the pot holes and speed bumps the driver took as a challenge rather than suggetion to slow.
Aliya and i were dreaming of a hotel my friend janikka sent us a link to and said she had booked for us for our 3 night stay in pondicherry, it look like the most luxurious place we had stayed the entire trip, modern decorations, clean comfy beds - and although the most expensive (750 rupees = $18/night) we were willing, rooms were fully booked around the new year time we were told. Well, as we arrive at 4am our hopes quickly fizzled, Aliya said - "this does not look like the hotel on the internet" not a bit - but turned out to be comfy even with my stained sheets with holes. It did have TV & Air Conditioning!
So after riding with paul and karilyn (she just called and told me they had aleady broken done once this morning and were repairing a flat tire at the time she was calling! ha!) about 90 kms (it took about 4 or 5 hours, we broke down once and the machine kept stallling - the new engine could not go beyond 35 kms per hour) I caught a bus, thru much chaos, there were 1000s of other people also getting buses - and i really did not know where in chennai i needed to go, so had to ask 20 diff people, the buses were packed, diffiult to fit on with my big travel backpack - besides not knowing the name of places.
There was an isreali couple wanting to get to the airport in chennai. We just about hired a taxi for $30 - huge amt of money due to the shortage of transport, was holiday, new years day so many people had come to the beach and also decided to leave around 9pm, time I was leaving.
After befriending some guys from Sudan (students here in india) Ended up finding the correct bus for about $1.50, then hired a rickshaw to get to the train stn to get to my 11:30pm train - then had to run around to as the ticket collector if there was any beds avail (overnight train to reach bangalore at 5am) because train was sold out apparently and i had bought a tix for general at 11pm when i finally reached so at the tix collector's mercy.
Got on the train with guy from Indian airforce, then finally an hour later talked to the TC and found a bed that was free!! so slept and arrived in the morning to Bangalore. Then i wanted to catch a 6am train but b/c so tired, waited in 15 minute line to get my tix but could not find the correct platform : ( so stood by when i finally found train and watched it pull out, it was going just fast enough i did not feel safe jumping for it, at least wtih a big pack on my back and my arm in a cast.
So booked an overnight bus and spending the day in bangalore, good i guess, i can catch up on my emails. i had just hoped to be heading back sooner and getting my traveling over with. I rented a room for the day so i could shower, now will catch up on net, maybe get a pedicure and take a nap or see a movie before my 5:30 pm bus.
The adventure never ends, but I love it!!
Happy New Year to all - may you have a year full of health, happiness and growth!
Friday, November 28, 2008
Mumbai still quiet.
Odd to see Mumbai shut down for 2 full days. We have had a train bombing since I have been here, frequent political groups calling for 'bundhs' (closing down of shops and city in protest). But usually it is 12 or so hours and Mumbai is back to life. At this posting there still seem to be hostages, the TV channels have cut off news for a bit and possible shootings near the Victoria Terminus.
I stay in Bandra, which is a northern suburb, the first of the suburbs actually...not that you can really tell where the city ends and suburbs begin. The action is happening in south Mumbai, the Downtown area - not that far by distance but at least an hour due to usual traffic. I am steering clear of the area and I do not know of any friends down there, besides a photojournalist friend who is photos are in the NY Times
My flatmates are moving flats this weekend, slowly work in mumbai is happening, some shops are open. Feels kind of strange being out and about, not in a fearful way. Feel I am being stared at more than usual, either people are surprised I am out or as a friend said maybe they are curious how I am doing, as a foreigner. Strange, not usual for foreigners to be targeted in Mumbai.
Have come in to the office, mainly to get my laptop fixed so I can actually finish my last week of work. Somber times, our thanksgiving dinner was canceled, it was to be held at the Taj Lands End - thankfully this all did not happen a day later or that 5 star branch may have been a target as there were to be large numbers of foreigners gathered. We did gather a small group of friends in someones home and put together some delicious dishes, all feeling thankful we were safe.
I stay in Bandra, which is a northern suburb, the first of the suburbs actually...not that you can really tell where the city ends and suburbs begin. The action is happening in south Mumbai, the Downtown area - not that far by distance but at least an hour due to usual traffic. I am steering clear of the area and I do not know of any friends down there, besides a photojournalist friend who is photos are in the NY Times
My flatmates are moving flats this weekend, slowly work in mumbai is happening, some shops are open. Feels kind of strange being out and about, not in a fearful way. Feel I am being stared at more than usual, either people are surprised I am out or as a friend said maybe they are curious how I am doing, as a foreigner. Strange, not usual for foreigners to be targeted in Mumbai.
Have come in to the office, mainly to get my laptop fixed so I can actually finish my last week of work. Somber times, our thanksgiving dinner was canceled, it was to be held at the Taj Lands End - thankfully this all did not happen a day later or that 5 star branch may have been a target as there were to be large numbers of foreigners gathered. We did gather a small group of friends in someones home and put together some delicious dishes, all feeling thankful we were safe.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Last week of work!
Change, as obama says, is what we need. Not sure if it is what I need, but it is what is happening. I am in my last week of work with the wonderful students and staff and Nareshwadi. I will miss them terrribly and imagine that the last week of work will be emotional.
Although there is a lot going on to keep my mind off all the changes, for instance the need to find a job (in this bustling economy!), trying to decide where it is I am going to move, planning a trip driving a rickshaw across india, carrying 2 cats from india to the united states....I have my hands full.
I have experienced many changes throughout my life, but why is it each new time it comes up I still resist. Would be nice perhaps to settle, or would I get bored? Life is the journey, not the destination....do I believe that. I may like a destination.
Some photos from our week of prepping for a donor visit to nareshwadi and me gettting sentimental about leaving....
Sign painting
These guys are suppposed to be helping haul trash and debris for the campus clean-up....
Thursday, October 16, 2008
World Action Blog Day
This year's topic was Poverty...I am going to post a couple of links one on child hunger in India and the other on the Uncultured Project a YouTube project.
I am a day late on this, I could manipulate the date - you can do that on blogger! but i won't so not in full participation, but I am on IST - Indian Stretch Time...ha! no really I forgot, had seen this event was coming up.
I think interesting too is the role poverty is playing in the current US Election. Two candidates with 2 different proposals on the economy. One for wealth distribution for the highest income generators the other for those on the lower end of the spectrum. Mc Cain is hoping for that trickle down effect, where people have been waiting for it to "get wet" for 8 years at the lower end of that supposed trickle the other for wide open rains. I like a lot of folks am happy someone is saying "Let it rain!!" Jon stewart said it best on tuesday (at about 16:45...but the whole ari fliesher interview is good!). Cheney is a barnacle! ha! too funny.
In all seriousness, the compassion and concern that Obama has for those from less advantaged backgrounds is something that has won me over. I think providing the basics of quality education and health care are what any compassionate society should supply. These I hope will improve the condition of those suffering from poverty in the US, which is quite a shame in one of the most wealthy countries in the world, that we can not take care of our own people better.
I am a day late on this, I could manipulate the date - you can do that on blogger! but i won't so not in full participation, but I am on IST - Indian Stretch Time...ha! no really I forgot, had seen this event was coming up.
I think interesting too is the role poverty is playing in the current US Election. Two candidates with 2 different proposals on the economy. One for wealth distribution for the highest income generators the other for those on the lower end of the spectrum. Mc Cain is hoping for that trickle down effect, where people have been waiting for it to "get wet" for 8 years at the lower end of that supposed trickle the other for wide open rains. I like a lot of folks am happy someone is saying "Let it rain!!" Jon stewart said it best on tuesday (at about 16:45...but the whole ari fliesher interview is good!). Cheney is a barnacle! ha! too funny.
In all seriousness, the compassion and concern that Obama has for those from less advantaged backgrounds is something that has won me over. I think providing the basics of quality education and health care are what any compassionate society should supply. These I hope will improve the condition of those suffering from poverty in the US, which is quite a shame in one of the most wealthy countries in the world, that we can not take care of our own people better.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
Don't vote
but i am....and hopefully i am up at 6:30 AM IST to see the VP debate. What to do in a month when the elections are over. I am loving all this creative thought provoking material on the net!! so entertaining.
"You must be the change you want to see in the world."
Happy Birthday Gandhi Ji - I am in the land of Gandhi and today is one of many bank holidays we have in India.
Gandhi is on every currency note in India, I have met several people in my 3 and1/2 years here, who follow his ways, living simply, non violent. etc. But overall with the westernization and economic growth my perception is that most of India has forgotten about Gandhi and his practices. Non violent protests do occur, as well as the violent ones. Friends and I attended a march in support of the rights of gay, lesbian, transgender persons last month - that was inspiring. We actually followed the route of Gandhi's "Quit India" campaign in Bombay.
I think the modern day India will struggle with how to grow, modernize yet keep the teachings of Gandhi alive. Certainly the greed and corruption present in India is not what Gandhi had in mind (although I am sure there are many un publicized events of his own life he is not proud of, he is human!), I am faced with such corruption constantly when working in the development sector. What is startling to me is the unabashedly use of corruption.
I met with a local Union leader a few weeks back, he is proud (displayed on 20 foot billboards outside his compound) of his work for the people. He has a school for girls, art program for tribals, medical camps, etc. etc. He is a unitarian minister and is pleased to display the several religious symbols in his office/sitting room (minus muslim, did not see any islamic symbols). When i asked if they used only non violence in there union protests and demonstrations he said of course yes, but I am aware at my own workplace his use of force with our management. Knocking a man off his motorcycle when outside our school/farm grounds, chasing our security gaurds and threatening to beat them and union members/employees ganging up and beating up a manager.
When I asked him about corruption, he straight faced told me, he tells his people it is ok to take money as long as you are not taking money that would go to the poor. Doesn't it all end up taking away from what would go to them? What is shocking is that corruption is accepted, almost expected. I certainly am not perfect, I am not trying to pass off judgement, but trying to give an example of how the country idolizes a man and his ideals yet does not follow them. I wonder how India will grow and develop without weeding out corruption.
It is easy enough to learn the game and how to bribe and be corrupt yourself, if you play along you too can get ahead. In the short term. That is part of the issue I find here, short sightedness. Looking at the immediate benefits versus planning for the future. I face it constantly in my work the challenge of planning for long term. Perhaps in a country that is young as far as ruling itself and is experiencing and has experienced so much poverty it is a challenge to think beyond your next meal, next month's rent, electric bill, water bill, etc...I certainly have come from a privileged background in those regards.
I am not naive to believe that India is the only corrupt nation in the world. Now we are faced with an onslaught of political games and messages in the US, where of course corruption is evident. On a different level almost legalized or at least rationalized by the legal system.
I think if there is a way the world can adopt some of Gandhi ji's teachings it would be a better place (yes, i am still an idealist!) .....I am posting a link to a video of his grandson speaking. Beyond the obvious dangers of physical violence which I detest and do not see a need for, he speaks of passive violence. Our attitudes. Being Positive. This message comes at a good time for me!
Gandhi is on every currency note in India, I have met several people in my 3 and1/2 years here, who follow his ways, living simply, non violent. etc. But overall with the westernization and economic growth my perception is that most of India has forgotten about Gandhi and his practices. Non violent protests do occur, as well as the violent ones. Friends and I attended a march in support of the rights of gay, lesbian, transgender persons last month - that was inspiring. We actually followed the route of Gandhi's "Quit India" campaign in Bombay.
I think the modern day India will struggle with how to grow, modernize yet keep the teachings of Gandhi alive. Certainly the greed and corruption present in India is not what Gandhi had in mind (although I am sure there are many un publicized events of his own life he is not proud of, he is human!), I am faced with such corruption constantly when working in the development sector. What is startling to me is the unabashedly use of corruption.
I met with a local Union leader a few weeks back, he is proud (displayed on 20 foot billboards outside his compound) of his work for the people. He has a school for girls, art program for tribals, medical camps, etc. etc. He is a unitarian minister and is pleased to display the several religious symbols in his office/sitting room (minus muslim, did not see any islamic symbols). When i asked if they used only non violence in there union protests and demonstrations he said of course yes, but I am aware at my own workplace his use of force with our management. Knocking a man off his motorcycle when outside our school/farm grounds, chasing our security gaurds and threatening to beat them and union members/employees ganging up and beating up a manager.
When I asked him about corruption, he straight faced told me, he tells his people it is ok to take money as long as you are not taking money that would go to the poor. Doesn't it all end up taking away from what would go to them? What is shocking is that corruption is accepted, almost expected. I certainly am not perfect, I am not trying to pass off judgement, but trying to give an example of how the country idolizes a man and his ideals yet does not follow them. I wonder how India will grow and develop without weeding out corruption.
It is easy enough to learn the game and how to bribe and be corrupt yourself, if you play along you too can get ahead. In the short term. That is part of the issue I find here, short sightedness. Looking at the immediate benefits versus planning for the future. I face it constantly in my work the challenge of planning for long term. Perhaps in a country that is young as far as ruling itself and is experiencing and has experienced so much poverty it is a challenge to think beyond your next meal, next month's rent, electric bill, water bill, etc...I certainly have come from a privileged background in those regards.
I am not naive to believe that India is the only corrupt nation in the world. Now we are faced with an onslaught of political games and messages in the US, where of course corruption is evident. On a different level almost legalized or at least rationalized by the legal system.
I think if there is a way the world can adopt some of Gandhi ji's teachings it would be a better place (yes, i am still an idealist!) .....I am posting a link to a video of his grandson speaking. Beyond the obvious dangers of physical violence which I detest and do not see a need for, he speaks of passive violence. Our attitudes. Being Positive. This message comes at a good time for me!
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