India Diary Accounts of Howard Students Researching in Kolkata, India Three students were selected in 2005 to go to India as part of the Howard-Jadavpur--US-India Research Intiative . This program is coordinated by Dr. Anita Nahal. Students interested in applying for this Study Abroad in India experience can contact Dr. Nahal at 202-806-7887 or anahal@howard.edu .
By Ericka
Jenifer
Looking down over this vast, beautiful
continent, I wondered what did India have in store for me? What
mysteries did this journey hold? Hope. Warmth. Perseverance.
These are the treasures that Kolkata, India held for me.
Warmth – From the moment I got
off the plane, I was greeted by people who were genuinely warm and
helpful, from the people assisting me in Customs to Monikarnika’s
smiling face in baggage claim. Monikarnika, Duke, Dr. Roy, and the
rest of the SYLFF Fellows went above and beyond the call of duty to
help me to feel welcome. They helped to settle me in at the Guest
House, to orient me to the city and to the public transportations,
and helped me to find a car service. They extended invitations for
me to attend various SYLFF seminar events. Additionally, knowing
that I had an interest in women’s studies and caste discrimination,
Dr. Joyashree Roy invited me to seminars in the women’s studies
department and introduced me to Dr. Proyash Sakar, who worked at the
counseling center in Jadavapur University’s philosophy department.
Dr. Sakar has become a collaborator on my dissertation project
exploring oppression in India and in African Americans in the United
States. Thank you, Joyshree, for helping me to make such a valuable
connection!
Perseverance – India is so full
of the wonders of technology but is very much a third world
country. Cell phones are abundant. Yet, most of the population
lacks electricity and running water. Internet connections in the
suburbs are slow (and sometimes non-existent). In the city,
internet connections are fast, found 24-hours, except during the
frequent power failures. Despite all the disruptions,
inconveniences, and power failures, Kolkata bustled with an air of
productivity and determination. I was continuously amazed with how
much people accomplished in a day and how they persevered in the
face of daunting obstacles and incontinences. When I faced problems
on my research projects, I took these lessons to heart, pushing
ahead to find a workable solution instead of succumbing to the
obstacles and difficulties that I faced.
Hope – Meeting the children was
the best part of my trip. I interviewed street children and NGO
workers in order to examine the social conditions these children
faced. Some of the children had horrible, tragic stories of abuse,
extreme poverty, and abandonment. Despite having experienced so
much as such a young age, these children were full of hope. They
were determined to live in a better world; some wanting to return to
their families when they could help support them with income from
better, safer jobs. Other children wanted to join helping
professions (e.g. doctors, nurses) in order to take care of others.
All of these children wanted their story to be told to help other
children like them. In short, their infectious hope and courage gave
me a priceless, memorable gift – joy.
