Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Christmas Abroad

New Delhi, India
"Merry Christmas" "Merry Christmas" random people on the street and in stores said on the 25th of December. Oh, Christmas was yesterday I thought to myself, on the 24th. The 25th is just the First Day of Christmas, not Christmas itself. It turns out that it's not a known fact that Norwegians celebrate Christmas on the Eve of the 24th, after 5pm. What I wonder is; how did you think Santa Claus would be able to visit everyone if everyone celebrated on the same day?

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Dancing Amongst Birds Means Good Luck


Jaipur, India - where feeding the birds will bring luck and happiness..



Free as a Bird.

 Brings a smile on your face.


                                                                                                         Pictures taken by the author.


Sunday, December 11, 2011

"May no one loose their hope before all people are one"

The third Sunday of Advent certainly was filled with laughter and new insights. A lovely picnic in beautiful and peaceful Lodhi Garden with great friends, followed by a piano concert at the Hungarian Cultural Centre in Delhi. Celebrating the 200th anniversary of Franz Liszt, concert pianist Seenu Singh performed a beautiful "Liszt Recital". The beautiful tunes certainly made my body long back to the days when I used to dance.

Tenn Lys by Eivind Skeie

Tenn Lys!
Tre lys skal flamme for alle some må sloss.
For rettferd og for frihet. De trenger hjelp av oss.
Må ingen miste motet før alle folk er ett.
Tenn lys for dem som kjemper for frihet og for rett.

Light a candle! Three candles will sparkle for all who have to fight 
For justice and freedom. They need help from us
May no one loose their hope before all people are one 
Light a candle for those who fight for freedom and for what is right 

On that note, a friend of mine shared something today, that I want to share with you. In addition the elements, such as fire and water, on earth, acceptance should be an essential component. Just imagine a world, where we all accepted each other for who we and what we are. Gender, Ethnicity, Citizenship (or lack thereof), sexuality, disease diagnosis, intellect, religion put aside. Instead of focusing on differences, rather accept that we might be different, but we can all together work towards justice and freedom. In the cause of gender equality, in the cause for gay rights, breast cancer, refugee settlement right issues, hiv/aids, children's rights, "they need help from us". Meaning nobody within a specific cause can fight the battle alone. Imagine if we worked together, through acceptance "our world will be as one". If we accept each other, we can in turn understand each other, and thus fight for each other's rights.

Perhaps you think it's idealistic and a cliche, but try to see how much better your own life will become if you are willing and able to accept people for who they are. Rather than thinking people are different, think of all the wonderful perspectives they can provide you with - learning a whole
new way of viewing the world. 
Don't loose hope in that we can all be one. The key perhaps is acceptance, leading to understanding and standing together for the benefit of others. It might not change the whole world tomorrow, but it can your acceptance can mean the world to a friend. Perhaps you can become one who stands up for others in the battle for freedom and what is right.


Sunday, December 4, 2011

"May prisoners have their freedom and refugees a home..."

Second Advent Sunday and the second candle has been lit.
Every day my thoughts revolve around the theme of the second sunday of Advent. Think of others, and how you can help them out. Think of ways you can influence somebody's life for the better. In a small way, or a larger way. But just do it, every positive action is what will change the world for the better. Show some compassion, help unjustified prisoners, help give refugees a home, and care about those who cry, but also those who comfort them. Love those around you. Believe in yourself and your loved ones, but others too.

Tenn lys!
To lys skal skinne for kjærlighet og tro,
for dem som viser omsorg og alltid bygger bro.
Må fanger få sin frihet og flykninger et hjem.
Tenn lys for dem som gråter og dem som trøster dem.

Light a candle!
To lights will shine for love and faith,
for those who care and always reconcile
May prisoners have their freedom and refugees a home.
Light a candle for those who cry and those who comfort them.

Eivind Scheie

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Must Hope be Present so that Good Things May Happen


First Sunday of Advent turned out to be a fun-filled day with temple going and the Delhi Gay Pride Parade. Excited people gathered for the 4th time Gay Pride Parade in New Delhi today. It certainly was a nice time to share happiness for what has happened so far, and hope for further good things that may happen. 

Listening to Christmas songs I've just turned on the Advent decoration with seven lights, made ready the four advent candles and put on a red table cloth. Spending the Advent time away from home is not a first time, but it will be different. This year I will stay in India for Christmas and not go home. Certainly I will miss the traditions, food, friends and family, but I hope to continue some traditions and adopt some new ones this Advent time.

I think perhaps Advent and Christmas will get a new meaning this year - It's exciting. 


Tenn lys!
Et lys skal brenne
For denne lille jord,
Den blanke himmelstjerne
Der vi og alle bor.
Må alle dele håpet
Så gode ting kan skje
Må jord og himmel møtes.
Et lys er tent for det.
Eivind Scheie

Light a candle!
A candle shall burn 
For this little earth, 
The shiny star in heaven 
Where we and everyone lives. 
Must we share all hope 
So that good things can happen
Must earth and heaven meet
Light a candle for that. 
(attempt at translating) 



Saturday, November 26, 2011

A Smile is Contagious

The autoride cost more than a meal of chowmein chicken that can last for days, and I still get in because I want to reach home. Sitting in the auto, I wonder if I'm among those 50% who gets depressed after dengue.. Or perhaps it's just one of those days where I just don't care, I just want to reach home. Tomorrow I will bargain more. Honestly though, I did bargain, starting with half of what he asked. I guess the palmreader the other day was not all the way correct. Yes, I'm stubborn but not when I am standing outside the hospital daydreaming about going to sleep..

On a brigther note, I did see a sign stating: a smile is contagious. So I smiled, because the doctor stated that after today, I do not have to come back for any more treatment related to dengue. There's always something to smile about, right? If not, someone else might smile and you might catch it. 

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Thanks Thanks, a thousand thank you

Thanksgiving became a part of my life when I first went abroad to the USA at 17. The celebration is probably one that I'm very grateful to include in my own traditions. Taking time to reflect on life and why to be grateful and thankful is very important, and should of course be done more often than only on this Thursday in late November.

I'm grateful for... 
food and clean water.
All the wonderful people in my life
The things Delhi has taught me
that I can dance in my living room to any type of music whenever I want
The things the US has taught me
The people who have opened my eyes
Learning different ways to see the world
How colorful it is in India
Everything growing up in Norway has taught me
That every interaction with another human being has an impact
That I have the opportunity to do what I do every day
Having a Balcony
Letters in the mail
Seeing flying kites every once in a while
Living by a market
Caring people 
Smiles
Skype
That I can see the good in things 
Elephants
That I've learned to read and write.

The list goes on and on and on.

Happy Thanksgiving! I'm very grateful for all the wonderful people in my life! I'm so grateful that I live in Delhi, a city that have taught me so much. I'm grateful I've lived in the US where I made great friends. I'm incredibly thankful for all my loved ones in Norway, and everywhere else in the world. I'm grateful that I get to do what I do every day - I love it.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Delhi Delhi, Oh New Delhi

Have you ever been in love? 
I mean, in love with a city? You think the honking sounds like music today. It almost makes you want to dance and rock out to the loud music in the auto. Tomorrow you might fall off that pink cloud to find it unnecessary and ruining your day. Then you don't see all the beautiful colors, the friendly gestures and don't find children pointing at you amusing. No, you see the inequalities, the dust, the noise, harassment, the unfairness, the poverty. Delhi, Delhi. Oh, how much you teach me about being human. Dealing with the challenges of seeing the many layers and aspects of exactly that; being human; One day on a pink cloud, the very next not and learning to balance it all. 

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

That Special Feeling of Happiness- where does it come from?

You know that feeling of happiness that you sometimes feel inside, but you have no words to describe it? No words to describe why? Well, perhaps it's because you don't really know, only know you absolutely love that feeling.

I'm sitting by the kitchen table with a cup of tea reflecting on that exact feeling; Super excited that I'm back to work, super duper excited about a pillow shaped like a cat in happy colours, amazed that I finally found THE book about International Social Work - with a discount! Hoping I'm not among the 45% of people who have hair loss a month after Dengue. How nice it is to see Dancing Ballet in the living room alone. all the kids at work again. Parades under the balcony. That the regular auto driver that takes me to work, still will after I've been sick for four weeks! How lucky I am to have met such amazing people while in India, hoping they will be lifelong friends. My newfound love; eating Pomegranates, and the two songs I didn't know I had that makes me smile. Yes, those are all things I'm thinking about right now.

Sipping my tea, identifying these wonderful things of life in Delhi I'm trying to block out an episode that taught me a lesson. An episode with an unusual auto driver, yes I say unusual because auto drivers are usually respectful gentlemen. Unfortunately, I was in for a lesson of "don't trust anyone" this weekend.

It was dark, but we travel by auto all the time and perhaps I think I'm tougher than I really am. He dropped my friend first, to then take me home. Approaching my stop, I got a bad feeling and got my pepperspray ready and keys with my whistle on (thanks to my friend who ensured it in my suitcase and the university I attended's Woman's Resource Center for handing them out). I considered getting out at the market close to my place, but changed my mind when men were eying me offensively.

Paying the auto driver he started arguing about the price, which often happens. What was different this time was that instead of driving off , he came out of his auto approaching me while speaking hindi. Staring at me. I walked towards the entrance door, trying to stick in my key, luckily the door was unlocked. I opened the door, it was dark inside, and he came faster towards me. Staying calm, I was able to get the key inside the keyhole on the first try, he took ahold of the door. I held the door harder and locked the door. Seeing the doorknob go up and down, up and down, I ran upstairs and finally reached home. That's when it hit me what had happened, it all happened in what seemed like a slow motion movie. Feeling empowered by the whistle and pepper spray, I'm relieved I reacted to the situation by staying calm. I was lucky.

That feeling of being lucky is part of that special feeling of happiness.

Perhaps I'm tougher than I think I am really.





Saturday, November 19, 2011

Observed from the Balcony: Happy Festivities


When I woke up this morning little did I know that I would witness music and a parade from my balcony. The Sikh celebration of Guru Nanak's Gurpurab was filled with firecrackers, music, fireworks, sword fights (Gatka) and parades. Now I certainly do not feel so sad about having to observe Diwali from the hospital windows.

 









Thursday, November 3, 2011

Rediscovering home - Reflections on Living Abroad

If you are interested in reading this article that I wrote titled "Rediscovering Home: Reflections on Living Abroad", please visit The Truman Monitor.  The article is about my favorite aspects of living in the complex society of India.




Wednesday, November 2, 2011

"Here Comes the Sun..."

It comes when you least expect it. Dengue Fever.

India has introduced me to many things during my stay here. Little did I know that India would also introduce me to my first hospital stay too. Last week I got Dengue Fever and was hospitalized as a result.
Fever, a puffy face, relatively strange dreams and extremely painful muscles accompanied me to the hospital. Being stuck with needles become part of the daily routine along with bad hospital food.  The first few days I just slept and swore that I will never eat rice again - at least not until I decide that I want to.

The normal reaction to this experience might be; I want to go back to home - and yes I did want to go home, home to Norway or back to the US. Home to loved ones and safety in every aspect, meaning what is familiar. Sitting here now reflecting, back in the flat with the two bright pink walls, I want to stay in India for a while longer. I like it here. I feel at peace when I stand on the balcony looking down at the street, or look up searching for kites in the sky. I'm here for a reason, and this is what I want to do with my life. Having dengue fever and being hospitalized so far away from home certainly taught me a lot that I will bring with me for the rest of my life. I just feel so fortunate that I actually could be in a hospital where I could get the care that I needed - the fact that I have the insurance and opportunity to do that itself shows how lucky I am..

Kites, pink walls, colorful streets filled with people, markets, giggly children... and it's started to cool down outside!


Sunday, October 2, 2011

No, I Don't Want to Join Your Wolfpack

Sexual Harassment in New Delhi. 


Sexual harassment has been recognized as the most intimidating, degrading and violating form of violence against women, according to PRIA's Campaign Against Sexual Harassment in New Delhi. Even though sexual harassment is a violation of a woman's human rights it happens every day in one form or another, and I've been told that Indian women are rather used to it because of it's frequency. It's unfortunately a part of a woman's every day life in New Delhi. 


People stare, and by that I mean, men stare. But they don't only stare, they talk, touch and follow. 
One evening me and another girl were riding in an auto when a white car with a man came up on the side of the auto. He stared and stared, and suddenly disappeared, to then only seconds after come up on the other side of the auto staring at us. After the car had uncomfortably and intimidatingly followed and stared us for quite some time, the auto-rickshaw driver did what he had in his power trying to block the white car away. On our way home that every same evening, another car did the same thing, but instead tried to pressure our auto- rickshaw into the curbside of the road, again thanks to the auto-rickshaw driver the situation ended up with just high heartbeats and and feeling of powerlessness. I must say that feeling of powerlessness is uncomfortable, and I'm learning ways to maintain my power and standing up for myself when situations of intimidation by men occur. 


The other day, it was still light out and I was traveling home from work. The auto I was in was standing waiting for the green light, when a group of men my own age stared at me and started calling at me "ooohoooohoooohooo", sounding like a pack of dogs or wolfs. Ignoring them, I thought to myself "No, I don't want to join your wolf-pack". 
Having men stare, randomly come talk to me cos they want to practice their English, or poking me with tennis racks on my breast has become something that I'm sadly not surprised about anymore.. 


So, now I've caught back to my Norwegian roots of not smiling much to strangers - well, not smiling at men at all rather looking at them with a evil look or a "I'm strong and independent, btw my husband also lives in Delhi" kind of look. This small little lie along with my pepper spray helps me feel safer.


As one of the strategies to combat sexual harassment in Delhi, there is a separate compartment for women in the impressive and modern metro. This is a safe heaven, but it another case that this separate compartment is an actual and serious need to keep women safe from daily sexual harassment. 


It must be said that not all Indian men stare and sexual harassment does not only happen in New Delhi, India - it is an issue women face everywhere in the world. Stop harassment of women!

Thursday, September 22, 2011

What Makes Me Smile in India

Often when living in a developing country like India you feel surrounded by terrible and devastating images and experiences. Often, these experiences are most shared. Now, I'll share some of the things that makes me smile.

Among the things that makes me love living in India are all the colors! It is very colorful, with orange, pink, bright green, deep blues, yellow, red and purples. The people dressed in colors of the rainbow makes me smile.

One day driving up a hill on the highway, I saw an auto-rickshaw driver pushing a transportation bike rickshaw- the biker was just spinning forward without having to work. Great teamwork.

A young street girl child hugged me on the street, out of the blue. It made me smile, but it was also very sad...


Playing with the kids at work.

The Traffic

When you smile at someone and they smile back

Random kids trying to speak English with me on the street

Eating Chocolate

When the auto-rickshaw driver that drives me to work every morning sings happily while driving

Sitting on the Balcony looking at the people, seeing new things every day.

Learning new things

Skype Dates

Getting used to that we share our food during lunch time - it's almost like a feast,

Maybe what makes you smile right now, is that photo of myself  I included...

Everyone can make a difference - it all starts with a simple smile.

Pass the Peace.





Monday, September 12, 2011

Agra - Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal, photo by author.


This weekend was filled with memorable experiences.

Friday I went back to the train station after work, because my plan to go in the morning was defeated by a flood outside my flat. Back at the train station to reserve tickets from Agra, I told the seller that I only needed tickets back, because I will just get an unreserved ticket in the morning. He looked at me curiously, asking; Are you going all by yourself? I said, yes, I'm meeting my parents in Agra. For some reason he suddenly became more willing to get me on a train with a reserved ticket. I really appreciate his efforts as I reached Agra Saturday morning after three hours on the train, having passed over 30 people finishing their private morning rituals on the train tracks.

Agra itself was a charming place; with donkeys, camels, buffalos, holy cows and monkeys.



Taj Mahal

Taj Mahal was build because of love.  
It's very beautiful and peaceful there. 




These children just ran in-front of my camera because they wanted their photo taken! It was a lot of fun.
All photos by author.

Pass the Peace.



Thursday, September 8, 2011

Lessons Learned through Experience

An eventful evening trying to reserve train tickets to Agra ended with reminding me why you should pay attention to the Auto-rickshaw driver.

Train tickets and why to book in advance 
This weekend the plan is to meet up with my parents in Agra. I figured it would be an easy task to get tickets, not thinking about that the train might be all booked up just days before departure. Instead, I've started to think that everything will be all right, so no rush. Oh, boy did I learn more than one lesson about living in Delhi today.

First of, when wanting to reserve a ticket, you cannot purchase this in the same booth were you buy tickets to be used right away. Another side to this is that the reservation office is not even in the same building as the ticket booths! After some questionings, asking for directions I finally reach the Reservation of ticket office, where they tell me I have to go to another New Delhi Railway Station instead to get the foreigners quota! Finally arriving there, I arrive too late and since I'm not a tourist, but live in Delhi - I cannot get the foreigners, or better put, the tourist quota either.

This means that I'll just have to get a normal ticket, and apparently according to other people's accounts: fight to get onto the train. I guess I will just have to use my elbows, sleeking myself onto the train. I've done a lot of observations of that happening when people go on and off the metro. If I just go back to my junior high school day roots of pushing and shoving I will be just fine. I'm excited about the adventure to get Agra.

Important to know how to wake up auto-rickshaw drivers while driving on high ways 
On the way back from the Railways station, around 8pm; chatting away with my friend we notice the auto-rickshaw driver has shut his eyes closed. We're in the middle of the high way, with crazy Indian traffic and the driver is not opening his eyes! He's fallen asleep while driving. I touch his shoulder trying to wake him. No, use at all. I end up having to use force punching him in the back to wake him up. He slowly wakes up and starts staring hard at the road.. I stare him down the whole way back, having to tap his shoulder again before arriving safe home. We told him to go home and get some sleep.. I have heard that drivers drive in looong looong shifts without any sleep, perhaps he had done that - or perhaps it was something else.

Lessons learned today:
1. Reserve train tickets in advance, more than two days...
2. Always pay attention to the auto-rickshaw driver to ensure he does not fall asleep while driving.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Earthquake in New Delhi

I was hanging out with some friends at my flat, when suddenly the ground starts shaking followed by load sounds. It turns out it was an Earthquake measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale according to the Times of India.  Not knowing much about earthquakes, I'm reading up on what to do in an earthquake.

And then as a contrast, when closing the balcony door to go to bed I saw a cow dragging a wagon with two men relaxing just wandering down the street. I wonder if they will sleep in that moving wagon all night... 

Terror in Delhi

Before I moved to India I was worried about terror attacks. Then only days before moving there Norway was hit by a terror attack and suddenly non of the countries I've lived in, or were going to live in were free of terror.

Today, it happened again in India, but this time I am actually in the country and the city where it has happened. A bomb exploded in one of the reception areas of the Indian High Court. This terrorist attack as the Indian Home Minister, Palaniappan Chidambaram, called it, killed at least 10 people, wounding more than 60. But it's not about numbers, it's about real people with stories.

Humanizing the issue working towards a world where we view strangers 
as our friends, not our enemy. 


These victims of terror were the mother of a child, husband to his wife, brothers, sisters, best friends, grandparents, daughter and son. They were people with stories, hopes and dreams. They died today for a cause they perhaps did not even know of, or did not support. Again, as with the victims of terror in Norway, lets their lives not be lost in a terrorattack in vain- let's remember these people as people with dreams and hopes, as a best friend, and let us instead work harder towards a just and peaceful world, where the solution to disagreement is not war, not terror and not killing or violence - but dialogue.
Let their lives not be gone in vain, let this lift your spirits even higher to why you work towards a world were we all can live with tolerance and solidarity of one another. Let this be yet another eye-opener to why you should believe in everyone can make a difference, one step at a time. Work towards a just and peaceful world for all, start today.It can start with something as simple as a smile. 

Pass the Peace. 

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Beautiful Fabric - brings brightness to a sad day for some

The Autorickshaw Ride Home 

I enjoy the rides home from work, being able to reflect on what I have learned while the crazy New Delhi traffic is blasting around. All the beautiful colors people wear makes me smile. Usually the images I see consists of mothers and children holding hands, bicycle rickshaws and many many men, men holding hands, and sometimes a radical woman and man holding hands. Along the side of the highway people are laying around sleeping, on what seems to be the same spot every day, someone is taking a piss off the road. This has become normal to me now.

New Images which introducing me to the usage of bright colors on sad days. 
Surprisingly today, I saw a line of men throwing flowers, orange flowers ahead of them. With the speed of the auto I soon saw what they were throwing those beautiful flowers at; it was a homemade casket made by bamboo holders was carrying an obvious dead body draped in bright dark pink and yellows. The men, 15-20 of them, young men perhaps in their 30s, were mourning the loss of that person wrapped in happy colored fabric on a sad sad day. My thoughts are with them. My thoughts are not only in India and those mourning the loss of a loved one, my thoughts are also with the refugees from Somalia who are trying to escape the drought and starvation. Every day 10 children under the age die from starvation in the refugee camp Kobe. 

Pass the Peace.


Monday, September 5, 2011

From the Balcony I see


Another protest? 
Hearing loud voices of chanting I went to my balcony thinking it's another protest outside in the market. Instead one of the neighbors are watching a movie with the volume high. 
Wanting to make a difference - one soda at a a time.
Standing on the balcony, enjoying the fresh air after a rainy day, I saw a teenage boy rolling his tray of sodas. I caught myself wishing I could buy all his sodas, just so he could sell them.. 

Friday, September 2, 2011

Norwegian(s) in india

Figuring out Indian living - one day at a time 
After being in India for over a month I've started to settle in. Every day I learn and figure out new things big and small; such as where to buy white cheese, where to buy chicken to cook, how to get a hotplate stove, where to get drinking water, how much you should actually pay the autodriver to get to work, what food to bring for lunch to share and where to buy the much needed additional fan because I underestimated the September heat, among other things. 

My parents arrived this week and brought Norwegian brown cheese and Norwegian Milkchocolate. Naaam, I'm on a pink cloud right now. It was like a little piece of Norway was brought to me. After having lived alone for a month it is nice to have some company at the flat and it's so good to see my parents again after more than six months. I guess it's a part of growing up and wanting to live and work abroad - you cannot see your loved ones every day. Therefore I am really going to enjoy having them here with me. 

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Sporadic Protests Around Delhi

Protests of Delhi expands? 
Chanting of slogans and waving of the Indian flag.
This morning started off with a protest driving peacefully right by my flat. Over ten men, sitting in and on cars along with motorbikes were driving slowly down the street, chanting slogans and waving the Indian flag. One of the posters stated " we cannot be safe if...", I could not catch the last phrase. Later in the day, I again met a protest, with about five-six men waving big Indian flags while chanting political slogans. The third time I did not see them, but I could hear the protest down the trafficked road, but the autorickshaw I was in went the opposite direction. Therefore I do not have any specific number of how many attended. However, it sounded like it was more than in the morning and afternoon together.

It will be interesting to see how this develops, as this was the first day I have seen any of the protest myself. 

Friday, August 19, 2011

Dogs of Delhi

After a week filled with yoga classes and starting to learn Hindi on top of work, I enjoyed some wonderful cinnamon rolls and a cup of tea with a friend.

At Night All the Dogs Come Out
Before coming to India I had been told about the dogs, and to be vary of them. Thus, at the beginning I was worried every time I met a dog.. After a while this worry disappeared slowly.

My New-won Comfort with Street Dogs did not Last Forever
On my way home from cinnamons and tea, I got surrounded and chased by a pack of dogs. There were at least four of them; barking and running after me. I was walking down the street hoping to find a rickshaw, and then I hear "voff voff voff voff", and see dogs running at me. Oh help help I think, perhaps if I walk away they will disappear. Instead they continued their chase, with me as their target. I bent down pretending to throw a rock at them, because that's the advice I've received of how to avoid being bitten by dogs and not get rabies. Yelling in Norwegian and pretending to throw rocks only made them bark more. When I was thinking, oh no, tonight is the night when I have to get all those rabies shots in my stomach, luckily a man came towards me and started yelling at the dogs, so I walked off. Oh, I'm so greatful that the man came when he did, because I don't think the dogs found me threatening rather they could sense my fright.
Terrified to meet another pack of dogs, I took the first rickshaw I found even though I was almost home.

My advice to anyone who encounters dogs; pretend you're not scared, and actually pretend and imagine you're holding a rock  you can throw at them.. Oh yes, I know, it's not fun to have to pretend to harm an animal. But believe me, these dogs are evil, especially at night. It means that either you are hurt, or you pretend to hurt them.


Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Indian Independence

A sky filled with dancing kites in beautiful shapes and colors.
Children were kite running on the roof tops Monday throughout the day.  I found myself standing at the balcony of the flat, starting up in the sky on kites of different shapes and colors. The kite running is part of the Indian Independence Day Celebration. Even after the Independence Day kites have been dancing above rooftops making me smile. There may be several reasons for the kites dancing, perhaps it's a major hobby here, which I do believe it is.. (I'm actually thinking of getting a kite myself, and perhaps try to learn the kite running skills).

People filling the streets around India..
It's not only kites that are out in the streets in Delhi these days. People are filling the streets of New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Calcutta and several other places around India for the fight that is called the 'Second war of Independence" by Anna Hazare, a Indian social activist. The arrest of Hazare on Tuesday morning, along with over a 1000 other people, lead to what BBC refers to as that "Protests swell in Support of Hazare" . Mr. Hazare was going on a hunger strike to protest corruption in India when he was arrested and put in jail. Dressed in white the social activist fighting against corruption in India has been compared to Gandhi, known for his nonviolent approach to the freedom movement in India.

"The dream of India as a strong nation will not be realised without self-reliant, self-sufficient villages, this can be achieved only through social commitment & involvement of the common man."  Anna Hazare (http://www.annahazare.org/)




Wednesday, August 10, 2011

India- time flies with so little time to blog.

India Time. 
- Perhaps I'm already living the so called 'indian time', or so it might seem with my irregularity in blog posting.
India truly is a very interesting place. And it's true, a auto-rickshaw driver can make or break your day, but if he does break it, there's always something to see that brights up the day (such as the pink walls in the flat) 

A lot of things have happened since I wrote,
and that's why it's been so long since I blogged really. Here's a short update about what I have done in India so far.
I moved into a flat, started work, found furniture, met people, started to learn how to navigate autorickshaw drivers, getting and then loosing the internet and then getting it again, smiled, eating Nutella, visited many markets, enjoying the view from the balcony, visited a temple and observed a Ramadan fasting ritual.

The flat I've moved into is adorable and happy with bright deep pink on two of the walls in the living room, which I love. There's also a balcony and a rooftop. Did I mention a kitchen and somewhere to sleep? I'm no longer living from a suitcase!

I started my Princeton-in-Asia Fellowship at Naz Foundation earlier this week. I'm really excited to about it!
"HIV/AIDS are complex issues that affect all our lives whatever the gender, class, caste, religion, sexuality and sexual orientation. We at Naz India are committed to raising awareness to prevent the spread of HIV and providing support to those living with the virus and those affected by it, with sensitivity and utmost confidentiality." - Naz Foundation Mission Statement 

Friday, July 29, 2011

Norway - You're Always On My Mind

Showing love and solidarity from New Delhi, India to Norway.

Outside of the Royal Norwegian Embassy
Thanks to the Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi I was able to attend a Ceremony of Remembrance for the victims of the terrorist attacks in Norway.

After having read about and seen the photo's of different Remembrance Ceremonies around the whole country of Norway, wishing I could be there, it was very nice to be able to light a candle and lay down a red rose by the Norwegian flag.

Being far away from home when horrible things happen is hard. It's sometimes hard to explain what you feel, especially in a situation like this. Because the attacks in Norway attacked the Norwegian culture, the very ideas and values of the Norwegian people.

One thing is certain, we will keep those values strong because the values of solidarity, peace, tolerance, openness and democracy are deep within our hearts.

"If one man could show that much hate, then just think how much love we can show together".
- A Norwegian Youth Labour Party member 


Love and Solidarity 
Showing love and solidarity is exactly what the Norwegian people are doing. Around the world.
All the Norwegians present at the Remembrance Ceremony sang "Til Ungdommen" in Norwegian.
Here's the English translation of "To the Youth". Please read it all.

TO THE YOUTH 
by Nordahl Grieg
Faced by your enemies
On every hand
Battle is menacing,
Now make your stand

Fearful your question,
Defenceless, open
What shall I fight with?
What is my weapon?

Here is your battle plan,
Here is your shield
Faith in this life of ours,
The common weal

For all our children’s sake,
Save it, defend it,
Pay any price you must,
They shall not end it

Neat stacks of cannon shells,
Row upon row
Death to the life you love,
All that you know

War is contempt for life,
Peace is creation
Death’s march is halted
By determination

We all deserve the world,
Harvest and seed
Hunger and poverty
Are born of greed

Don’t turn your face away
From needs of others
Reach out a helping hand
To all your brothers

Here is our solemn vow,
From land to land
We will protect our world
From tyrants’ hand

Defend the beautiful,
Gentle and innocent
Like any mother would
Care for her infant.

English translation
By Rod Sinclair (2004)

First Encounter with India

It's colorful, it's crowded, and it's interesting. It's India. 
I have now moved to New Delhi, India for one year. As I have dreamt of traveling to India for several years, it's very exciting to finally be here. I'm looking forward to seeing and learning more of what India has to offer and how the culture really is.

The buildings here so far of what I have seen remind me of Greek and Turkey with perhaps a eating spoon of Costa Rica in it. Except for the temples.

The Traffic 
So far I've discovered that the metro system is awesome! It really easy to navigate and there is a section on the metro only for women. This is a step towards preventing sexual harassment towards women. Before entering the metro there is a security point, just as there are in airports.
When it comes to the traffic above the ground it's not as crazy as in Bangladesh, at least not what I've experienced so far. But there are more cows in the traffic, and they are holy so the traffic slows down behind them. The rickshaws, both auto and bicycle are also present here. The bicycle rickshaws are not as colorfully decorated here as in Bangladesh. In addition, the bicycle rickshaws does not wear longies, a skirt of a type that men wear, here either.

Colorful Observations 
I like riding the metro and seeing all the beautiful colors and decorated clothing people wear. Some people in traditional saris, others in tunics and wide pants, while others are wearing western clothing or even business suits. But whatever people wear, there's always colors.

On Monday I move into my first flat and I'm really excited about it!


Saturday, July 23, 2011

Let's Stand Together in Solidarity

I'm getting ready to say my 'see you again' Bangladesh, as I'm traveling to India tomorrow. My plan was to share my reflections of my experience of Bangladesh, a country where I've learned and seen so much, but instead my thoughts go to Norway. The worst catostraphy beyond what I could've ever imagine, has happened in Norway, my home country. A bomb blast in the capital city, Oslo, and then a gun attack killing over 90 people on a Labour Party Youth Camp on Utøya. I'm shocked.

One reflection I will share though is, wherever you travel or go in the world, people are good. Perhaps we have different cultures, religions, political ideologies, but on the bottom we are all human beings. With the same worth and a smile means the same in every country. A laugh means the same nomatter where you are in the world.  We are the same, we have brothers, sisters, daughters, sons, mothers, fathers. We all have someone we care about, and that cares about us. So, nomatter where we are from or where we are; let us respect and appreciate one another. Learn from one another. There are few things more wonderful than learning and expanding one's world views with the help of others. Learn from other individuals, within your own country, and outside of it. An expanded world view, is also a mind of tolerance of other ways of living.

I'm in Asia, but my heart and mind is in Norway.




Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Behind the Scenes of Your Sportswear

Every day we put on our clothes without really thinking about where they come from or how they are made. I visited a factory, Grameen Knitwear Ltd. The photos show pieces of the process of making sports wear, as 80% of what is produced in this factory is sportswear. 



















The first thing you might think of when reading articles about factories in developing countries may be about the working conditions of the workers. I want to specify that this article is not about the bad conditions of the workers, it's rather to give you an image of how a clothing factory works, through my eyes. I am by no means and expert, and I'm only sharing with you my observations.

"The working conditions at the factory is better than other factories", according to the officer we met with at the factory.




The Conditions 
The workers work 8 hour shifts. On the ground floor, where the fabric is created and colored, only men work because the shifts are split into 3 shifts in 24 hours, which requires a rotating night shifts. 
Women are not allowed to work at night, due to government regulations. Though a woman can work at night if she has a written letter saying she can and is willing to do so. 
Most women work in the Garment Section, and the shift is 8:30 am to 1700. Out of the about 2600 workers, 900 are women. 




Benefits of the workers 
The workers have free transportation to and from work, day care for children and insurance. They also receive allowance of $33 in addition to their monthly pay. The conditions at this specific factory seemed to good during my observation. The rooms were light, and easy access to exits, and the working schedule, benefits and pay of the workers fair. The people we talked with cared about having good working conditions and environment and emphasized this. 




Where and How is YOUR Clothing made?
Even though this factory is NOT an example of a sweatshop or violations of workers rights, there are factories where your clothes or other products are produced under bad working conditions.
Workers rights should NOT be violated. Workers rights are human rights please remember that.
If you are interested to learn more about about workers rights and how your products are produced, then check out these sites: No Sweat(shops)Fair TradeAmnesty InternationalHuman Rights WatchInternational Labour Organization- Promoting jobs, protecting people