Tour of India Cities Provides Primer

After almost a full year of planning, 16 SIPA students traveled to six cities in India over winter break — an unforgettable journey that included the capital of New Delhi, the historical capital of Agra, the business center of Mumbai, and historical Udaipur, the “City of Lakes.”

Leading the trip were three student leaders who were eager to show their friends the wonders of their home country — Jaivardhan Singh, chairman of the South Asian Association (SAA); Akshay Verma, former co-president of SIPASA; and SAA president Viveka Purandare.

The students visited sites such as the Presidential Palace, Red Fort, Chandni Chowk, Jama Masjid and Lodi Gardens in Delhi; the magnificent Taj Mahal and Agra Fort in Agra; Elephanta Island, the Gateway of India, and the Taj Hotel in Mumbai; the beautiful beaches and historical towns of Goa; and, finally, the royal palace, museum and lakes of Udaipur.

The more substantial portions of the trip gave participants the chance to learn about the political, economic, social, and media environment of India from the perspective of future development practitioners.

In Delhi the group had the opportunity to discuss the current geopolitical climate, reforms, and policies (at the national, state, and local levels) with several distinguished figures. Among them were President Pranab Mukherjee; Sonia Gandhi, head of the ruling political coalition and longest serving president of the Indian National Congress; Shashi Tharoor, a member of parliament from Kerala who vied for the position of UN secretary-general before the selection of Ban Ki-Moon; Digvijay Singh, general secretary of the All India Congress Committee; and Dr. Nirupam Bajpai, director of the Columbia Global Center in Mumbai.

They also met Barkha Dutt, a television host and media personality, and Dr. Anita Kamra Verma, who is renowned for her contributions to the field of nanobiotechnology research at Delhi University. Each provided interesting perspectives of Indian society, particularly on media freedom and coverage and technological advancements.

While in the historical village of Raghogarh, home to one of the trip’s hosts, the group was able to experience the real India by seeing villagers’ homes. The group had the opportunity to visit a school established by a group of political leaders to educate local students and raise the quality of education in the region. The students also visited a sugar cane factory, which represented a basic industry in rural India, and witnessed a series of sustainability initiatives that brought gas and electricity to homes through the use of methane biodigesters.

In Mumbai, the group learned about the nation’s current business and economic environment, meeting one of India’s best-known business magnates, Mukesh Ambani, the chairman and CEO of Reliance Industries.

The group then traveled to the ancient city of Udaipur and met with the royal family, the Mewars. While touring their palace and museum, the group learned about the conservation, heritage preservation and development projects in the city.

Finally, the group returned to Delhi to attend a pre-wedding reception and experience the colors, food, music, and hospitality of an Indian wedding — a cherished memory that will remain with the students through the thousands of photos taken at the event.

In the end, what was initially a simple idea from last winter was realized through seeing the remarkable aspects of Indian society and the many experiences the students shared, which far exceeded their expectations. This was a journey that left them longing for more culture, food and Indian stories.

— posted February 6: story by Annie Zhou with input from Gabriela Rocha, Akshay Verma, and Alejandra Kubitschek Bujones

Some participating students shared impressions:

I was struck by the contrasts of India. It's a country where you can meet two families of five — one living in an extraordinary opulent home, with dozens of cars, and the other living in a one-room dung-insulated hut. It's a country where you'll stand in awe at the marvelous symmetry of the Taj Mahal and step outside its gates to be greeted by a young beggar boy dragging deformed polio-stricken legs. It’s a country with the cleanest subway and the dirtiest streets. Everywhere you go it is apparent that India is straddling the development line.

— Annalisa Liberman MPA ’13, Urban and Social Policy

Nationality, ethnicity, race and gender meant nothing to the villagers of Raghogarh, Madhya Pradesh. They welcomed us into their homes as if we were family and shared everything, even with the little food that they had.

— Tara Badri MIA ’13

Shashi Tharoor [an MP from Kerala] told us that “whatever is true about India, the opposite is also true.” We really got to see what that means in three weeks. India is the most complex, contradictory and surprising country I have ever visited.

— Selma Stern MPA ’13, International Security Policy

Apart from the colors, the vibrancy, and the vivacity of India as a nation, India is clearly a country on the move, developing at an unprecedented pace. We were fortunate to witness and learn about the opportunities and the development challenges India currently faces. Despite stark differences, one common trait was clearly observable in each of our encounters. From the influential political and business leaders we met to the children in the villages we visited, what struck us the most was how warmly we were welcomed. Indian hospitality went above and beyond our expectations and I cannot thank our hosts enough for organizing and providing us with this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

— Alejandra Kubitschek Bujones MPA ’13, Economic and Political Development