From the mountains of the Dharamsala I descended overnight into the early showings of Delhi’s mayhem. This time I would be in the comforts of the home of Arjun, a good friend. A day spent relaxing melted into a small party to celebrate the accomplishments of a family friend. There, I met a Dean from the local Ansal University, who was eager to discuss my upcoming work as teaching English in Northern Rajasthan. Mike was from Britain, recently having moved to come work in the Delhi area, placed firmly in my mind his impression of the students of India. This advice was that if I took the time to understand the minds of my students, I would have the most interesting and inspirational minds primed for discovery that are to be found in the world. I cannot yet attest to this, but it is only three more days until I am briefed in Jaipur, Rajasthan, followed shortly by beginning my work here in India.
I couldn’t find Sid when I walked out of the airport the next day. What I did have was his phone number, so when I was assaulted by a team of taxi drivers and hotel keepers I figured I might as well use it to my advantage. I told the drivers that if they could direct me to a phone, I’d find out where I’d have to go. Quickly I’m handed a phone with the number dialed ready for me. Sid directs me where to go to meet him. I hand the phone back to the driver and politely told him I in fact have a ride, which apparently made no difference to him.
Finally I load my Bergen into the trunk of a white sedan and am embraced by university friend Siddharth Dhurka. The bridge we crossed coming gave way to the long cityscape of Bombay. Little did I know that over the next several days I’d have one of the best experiences to date on my trip halfway across the world.
As I looked out of the window from my new residency, I saw a similar view that I had seen from the airplane window. While I was standing twenty-six floors up in a luxury apartment high-rise, below blue tarps speckled metal rooftops of low-income chowls and slums. I’ve covered a good amount of India in my two weeks already. While every state, if not every city, is a completely different place, one thing cannot be ignored. When I step out of the comfort bubble of a friends place or a hotel, India’s poverty, anarchy, lack of organization, and development stare you dead in the eye. Don’t worry though, it’s possible to ignore from my position, but I cannot. I take note, I observe, I ask questions, I read India’s newspapers, I discuss, I theorize/speculate. My Indian peers are keen to discuss, but I must always remember that they too are the privileged of India.
Before I left for the trip, a conversation that I had with a group of people gave me some food for thought. After explaining my upcoming plans, some agitated soul stated “You’re what we call privileged.” Although I didn’t show it then, I felt insulted. However, two months later and I know more than ever that she was right. I have the honor of friends around the world, and the ability to go see them too. More than that, as I see here with my own eyes, these friends are rather privileged too. I must compensate this privilege in this world with the actions I take in it. If in fact I do have more opportunities than the average earthly citizen, I must do everything I can to do some good, bring happiness to others, and make sure the world is better off, even if that better is only small.
I am about to begin teaching English in rural North Rajasthan, as well as work on a Water and Sanitation development project partnered with the World Bank. Is what I am doing right or good? I don’t know with certainty, but I sure hope so.
I couldn’t find Sid when I walked out of the airport the next day. What I did have was his phone number, so when I was assaulted by a team of taxi drivers and hotel keepers I figured I might as well use it to my advantage. I told the drivers that if they could direct me to a phone, I’d find out where I’d have to go. Quickly I’m handed a phone with the number dialed ready for me. Sid directs me where to go to meet him. I hand the phone back to the driver and politely told him I in fact have a ride, which apparently made no difference to him.
Finally I load my Bergen into the trunk of a white sedan and am embraced by university friend Siddharth Dhurka. The bridge we crossed coming gave way to the long cityscape of Bombay. Little did I know that over the next several days I’d have one of the best experiences to date on my trip halfway across the world.
As I looked out of the window from my new residency, I saw a similar view that I had seen from the airplane window. While I was standing twenty-six floors up in a luxury apartment high-rise, below blue tarps speckled metal rooftops of low-income chowls and slums. I’ve covered a good amount of India in my two weeks already. While every state, if not every city, is a completely different place, one thing cannot be ignored. When I step out of the comfort bubble of a friends place or a hotel, India’s poverty, anarchy, lack of organization, and development stare you dead in the eye. Don’t worry though, it’s possible to ignore from my position, but I cannot. I take note, I observe, I ask questions, I read India’s newspapers, I discuss, I theorize/speculate. My Indian peers are keen to discuss, but I must always remember that they too are the privileged of India.
Before I left for the trip, a conversation that I had with a group of people gave me some food for thought. After explaining my upcoming plans, some agitated soul stated “You’re what we call privileged.” Although I didn’t show it then, I felt insulted. However, two months later and I know more than ever that she was right. I have the honor of friends around the world, and the ability to go see them too. More than that, as I see here with my own eyes, these friends are rather privileged too. I must compensate this privilege in this world with the actions I take in it. If in fact I do have more opportunities than the average earthly citizen, I must do everything I can to do some good, bring happiness to others, and make sure the world is better off, even if that better is only small.
I am about to begin teaching English in rural North Rajasthan, as well as work on a Water and Sanitation development project partnered with the World Bank. Is what I am doing right or good? I don’t know with certainty, but I sure hope so.
