Amida Volunteers Blog

I cant believe we have been here for a month already. Time is flying by and Im starting to get anxious about the amount of time I have left.

We are now in full swing and the classes are going well. Our students are generally a really lovely lot and I've been surprised at the discussions we have had already. Before coming, topics like 'Arranged versus Love marriages', 'Relationships' and Religion' were things that seemed a long way off, but on the 4th session, my evening discussion group launched us straight into them!

Most of the people who attend the classes are the better off, modern Indians who aspire to work in Indian call centers, for the Government or private companies in management. They range from 15-25 years old. These people have access to the programme in order to help them pass demanding exams. India is known for its high rate of suicide in teenagers due to the pressures of exams and the numbers are rising. Employment is high here and the competition for jobs is immense. By interacting with people who are the future of India, it allows us to bridge some of the gaps between the East and the West. A lot of the advertsing here showing white people usually involve a man and a woman scantily dressed carressing an ice cream in a rather suggestive manner. This kind of advertsing gives Indians the impression we are all sex mad (this may of course be somewhat true) and they think we get divorced every other day. The quote they seem to love the most is "India has such a high rate of successful marriages and in the West 1/3 of marriages end in divorce". Can anyone tell me - is this true? Shocking really, but then I question the quality of the marriages over here, and typically its the Women who seem to loose out the most. Husbands over here are supposed to be treated like Gods according to tradition, but its a relief to hear the younger men saying that they look for a more equal partnership based on mutual respect.

On speaking on topics like these it feels like a huge responsibility representing my country, in fact representing 3 continents ('The West')as I worry sometimes that my opinions will be taken as gospel. I have tried to make clear that I am one person who can only offer my experience and opinions of the world and explain what I find important in life. Through our discussions I think we are realising that we are not all that different after all, and in fact all we want is to be happy and wish happiness for our fellow human beings.

India is changing and changing fast. The divide between the rich and poor increases, fashion is slowly changing in the wealthier circles, coffee shops are springing up and the Government is trying to encourage people to shop in big malls. But every now and then we see things that remind us that we are in India. Today we saw a dog walk by with his tail hanging off having been savaged by another dog and on street a ting puppy lays dead on the road having been run over. Buffalows struggle past us on the congested roads with heavy loads and rope pierced through their snout and we see goats being led off for sacrificial slaughter. These are the things that leave a bitter taste in the mouth.

But it's all made worth while by the children that we meet. Their eagerness to learn, a new word learned, a smile.

Namo Amida Bu