Here's some things I've seen-experienced that have confused me....
1.) Swastikas Everywhere: From dresser drawer handles to hoods of cars, Indians (particularly Hindus) decorate much of their space with the unfortunately-infamous swastika symbol. Probably like most foreigners who saw this for the first time, I was initially confused and didn't understand why something typically shunned was being used as colorful decorations in people's homes. I asked my hostdad what they meant and why they were painted all over the place. He told me that the swastika in Hinduism is a good omen. The word itself originates from the Sanskrit language meaning "to be good." They paint it in their spaces on on their belongings for good luck and protection.
In the past 3 weeks here, there have been numerous occasions where my conceptions of information get completely turned upside down by Indian culture. For me to think that the swastikas were somehow associated with the Nazi party (when really the symbol has been an integral part of history for 10,000 years) made me feel pretty ignorant.
2.) Men Holding Hands: As forward-thinking and open-minded as a lot of Americans like to think we are (in relation to other cultures with more "traditional" social-norms,) I was surprised about my initial assumptions about seeing Indian men walking around holding hands, arms around each others' waists, and linking arms. My first thought was "Are they together? I thought homosexuality wasn't as socially acceptable here as in America." Turns out, physical affection between Indian men is normal and is just a way of showing your friend that they enjoy their company. Again, I felt pretty ignorant for jumping to conclusions to try to make sense of something I didn't understand. I'm learning to just observe what I see without making judgements and assumptions about what things mean.
Tonight, I'm heading out to the city of Dehradun in the northern state of Uttarakhand for our first "excursion" for a week! Dehrahun is located in the foothills of the Himalayas, near the Ganges river (aka a 13-hour train ride.) It's a hub for national organizations like the Forest Research Institute and the Oil and National Gas Corporation. Along with corporations, Dehadrun is a home to thriving non-government organizations. We'll be working with the Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK) organization which advocates for the rights of rural communities in the area. They work with local communities to address problems like "reclaiming quarried lands, land ownership rights, illegal poppy cultivation, and freeing bonded labor" to name a few. The community we will be learning from are the Van Guggars, a pastoralist community that is experiencing negative changes in their livelihoods as a result of changing governmental policies. We get to hear their stories and learn about the challenges they're facing and how NGOs like RLEK are working to support them. I'll be able to write more about what this entails when I return and actually have talked to them one-on-one! All I have to go on right now is a two sheet-itinerary provided by our professors.
No computer or posts for a week, but that means I'll have a whole lot to post when I get back!
1.) Swastikas Everywhere: From dresser drawer handles to hoods of cars, Indians (particularly Hindus) decorate much of their space with the unfortunately-infamous swastika symbol. Probably like most foreigners who saw this for the first time, I was initially confused and didn't understand why something typically shunned was being used as colorful decorations in people's homes. I asked my hostdad what they meant and why they were painted all over the place. He told me that the swastika in Hinduism is a good omen. The word itself originates from the Sanskrit language meaning "to be good." They paint it in their spaces on on their belongings for good luck and protection.
In the past 3 weeks here, there have been numerous occasions where my conceptions of information get completely turned upside down by Indian culture. For me to think that the swastikas were somehow associated with the Nazi party (when really the symbol has been an integral part of history for 10,000 years) made me feel pretty ignorant.
Swastik outside one of the rooms in my house.
Swastiks in the window decorations at Amber Fort (constructed in the 1500's.)
2.) Men Holding Hands: As forward-thinking and open-minded as a lot of Americans like to think we are (in relation to other cultures with more "traditional" social-norms,) I was surprised about my initial assumptions about seeing Indian men walking around holding hands, arms around each others' waists, and linking arms. My first thought was "Are they together? I thought homosexuality wasn't as socially acceptable here as in America." Turns out, physical affection between Indian men is normal and is just a way of showing your friend that they enjoy their company. Again, I felt pretty ignorant for jumping to conclusions to try to make sense of something I didn't understand. I'm learning to just observe what I see without making judgements and assumptions about what things mean.
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Tonight, I'm heading out to the city of Dehradun in the northern state of Uttarakhand for our first "excursion" for a week! Dehrahun is located in the foothills of the Himalayas, near the Ganges river (aka a 13-hour train ride.) It's a hub for national organizations like the Forest Research Institute and the Oil and National Gas Corporation. Along with corporations, Dehadrun is a home to thriving non-government organizations. We'll be working with the Rural Litigation and Entitlement Kendra (RLEK) organization which advocates for the rights of rural communities in the area. They work with local communities to address problems like "reclaiming quarried lands, land ownership rights, illegal poppy cultivation, and freeing bonded labor" to name a few. The community we will be learning from are the Van Guggars, a pastoralist community that is experiencing negative changes in their livelihoods as a result of changing governmental policies. We get to hear their stories and learn about the challenges they're facing and how NGOs like RLEK are working to support them. I'll be able to write more about what this entails when I return and actually have talked to them one-on-one! All I have to go on right now is a two sheet-itinerary provided by our professors.
No computer or posts for a week, but that means I'll have a whole lot to post when I get back!
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