For our first day in Delhi, one of the places we visited was the Gurudwara Bangla Sahib Sikh Temple. The architecture of the temple immediately catches the eye as the golden domes shine in Delhi’s bright morning sun. Walking into the temple, the intricate designs displayed on the walls match its outwardly beauty. Sikhs entered and bowed down in front of their holy scripture, ...
Care For Your Neighbor
After a long bus ride from the Bandipur tiger reserve, we finally arrived in Bengaluru, which is located in the southern state of Karnataka. While we were in Bengaluru, we spent a few days at Visthar, an organization that focuses on sustainable development and social justice. For me, our stay at Visthar has been the most reflective part of the trip, allowing me to understand ...
Enemies Forever?: The Indo-Pakistani Tussle Over Kashmir
When I started the visa application for India, I noticed that I had to answer several questions regarding my connection to Pakistan. Filling out the required forms, the Indian government inquired on whether the applicant had familial descendents of Pakistan or not, including grandparents, parents and spouses, and if the applicant had ever visited Pakistan. The repetitive ...
Today’s Catch: A Look Into Sustainable Fishing Practices
It was an early morning on Tuesday. At 6:45 AM, we arrived at a fish landing on the Andaman Islands. Walking down the crowded landing, I woke up to the smell of fish carried by the warm breeze. We passed by women with baskets full of fish balanced on their heads. Autos drove by with more carts of fish, and people hovered around the arriving boats. The fishermen pulled out a ...
The Invisible but Essential Workforce in India
During the span of two weeks, my stay in Hyderabad has given me greater insight on the dynamic nature of cities. While working closely with the staff members of Hyderabad Urban Labs (HUL), I have discovered the many layers that form the overarching image that we see in cities. Examining issues, such as waste management and uses of public space, has allowed me to see how various ...
The Night the Sky Cried for Hussain
On Thursday evening, we were generously offered by Dr. Anant Maringanti, the executive director at Hyderabad Urban Labs, to observe the Shia community in the city and see some relics during the Islamic holiday, the Mourning of Muharram. This ten day holiday is the first in the Islamic calendar, and the festivities peak on the tenth day, known as Ashura. Depending on the sect ...
Lord Ganesha: His Rise to Fame
Upon my arrival in India, I was greeted by an important Hindu holiday, Ganesh Chaturthi, which celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha. The elephant-headed god appears on every street corner in Tamil Nadu, the state that I have been exploring. Not only are representations of this Hindu deity abundant, but he is also seen in a variety of different forms. When entering shopping ...
A Tight Squeeze in Chennai
For the first couple of days in India, I have mostly been inside the college perimeter. The group has made a few excursions into Tambaram and spent a day in Chennai. Surrounded by foliage, life at Madras Christian College has been quiet and calm, a stark contrast to Chennai. The chaos completely captures you; there is something to be seen in every direction. I am fascinated by ...
