Random Thoughts…

Recent frustrations

When the members in the women’s group shirk their responsibilities and I end up doing their work for them in 111۫ heat because I’m too wed to the concept of perfection. I know this just fosters a dependency on me so I’m gradually trying to do less of this…

When, last week, a woman cuts in front of me to buy her bus ticket and my temper flares while I tell her to wait her turn. She cries out a “Hai Ram!” (Oh God!) as if she’s being victimized and then proceeds to cut in front of me again…

When, also last week, on the journey home from Jaipur where we spent our Sunday, we get stuck in a connector city, Sikar, for three hours; at this point, its late, I smell, people smell, and we’re four young, unmarried girls so of course, stares are in order…

To offset the negative sentiments, here’s a peacock we came across one beautiful summer morning:

Amazing, isn’t it?

Home sweet home

Most of the time I sustain my happiness and my productivity through the potential of my project, hanging out with the project crew or community members, watching movies, or singing off key to Kelly Clarkson (do you feel sorry for the others I work with?).

But naturally there are times when I miss home. The most recent was when my family, even little Rehan (the kid is already well-traveled!), went to my cousin’s wedding in Michigan.

During that weekend I found myself calling my mom or my brother twice or thrice a day. Even now, while viewing the wedding pictures on the internet, I’m saving each one to my USB. I've even gone as far as to save those pictures in which I don't know anyone or those that show random, unfamiliar women’s backs in Indian clothes. It’s crazy but doing this kind of stuff is what keeps me sane!

By the way, on the right is a shot of the little guy upon arrival in Mich.

Role reversal?

So I was talking to my mom the other day. Not surprisingly, I was extracting details from her about the wedding.

“I wish I would’ve sent the little jooties (Aladdin-like slippers that have become quite the craze out here and abroad) home quickly enough so Rehan could’ve worn them for the wedding,” I lamented to my mom.

“Don’t worry, I bought him a pair when I came to India last so he wore those,” she assured me.

“Really? From Delhi? How much did you pay?”

“Three hundred rupees.”

“What?! The ones I bought started at one fifty and I got the salesman down to fifty rupees!” I exclaimed.

I couldn’t help but smile and be content with my progress in the art of Indian style negotiation. My purchase was my pride at that moment. Who’s more Indian now??

Haggling

When coming to India earlier in life I used to wonder why my mom haggled so much, or why so many people did for that matter.

Now I realize it’s not about the price – for me at least. And I know the man who I’m haggling with is only asking for $2.50 or some embarrassingly minor amount if you convert it to dollars. This is also probably the guy’s only source of income. But most of the time, he’ll jack up the price higher than he would for others because he hears me speak and knows I’m not native to India. If other people are getting this thing-a-majig for half of what he’s offering it to me, I’m compelled to bargain!

In my mind, haggling in India is an issue of proving (to myself and others) my identity. I can’t just pay the first price suggested. That would just reveal my foreign status.

Political Turmoil

On a serious note, almost three weeks ago dissatisfaction with the reservation system erupted in violence in Rajasthan and spread to other Northern states. The reservation system acts as an opportunity-leveling mechanism for Indian citizens and is similar to the U.S’s Affirmative Action. It categorizes castes into three large groups: General Caste, Other Backward Caste (OBC), and Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST).

In short, the Gujjars, categorized as OBCs in the state of Rajasthan (caste categories differ by state depending on the general economic status of the caste in different areas), had been trying to get ST status because the lower the status, the greater the access to government jobs and educational institutions. Apparently, Rajasthani Chief Minister Vasundra Raje had even promised them ST status (broken promises made by a politician; almost unheard of, no?) But because the government didn’t respond to their requests and follow through with their promise, the Gujjars turned to violence. Most of the clashes were with the Meena community which is now the only one in the state that is classified as a tribe, and who wishes to enjoy ST status exclusively. About twenty five people were killed in police firing and group clashes.

Fortunately about two weeks after it first started the Gujjars called off their protests when a fraught Rajasthan government promised to study their demand for tribe status. However, officials admit that Gujjar and Meena relations are only expected to deepen.

The unrest began on the Jaipur-Agra and Jaipur-New Delhi highways but even we felt the effects of the turmoil. Government-run buses stopped running, preventing us from going to the closest city, Jhunjhunu. When this all first started, Ashish was actually on a bus to Jhunjhunu that stopped running. He, along with the rest of the passengers, were left stranded and had to walk for an hour in the heat before a private bus came by.

Personally, this was probably the closest I’ve ever been to politically provoked violence. The LA riots were unforgettable but I was pretty much removed from the situation. While intended to organize society the caste and reservation systems have only built long-standing barriers against people and are doing more harm than good. Institutionalized discrimination and an unwillingness to engage in inter-caste interactions are just some of the problems I observe on a daily basis.

I’m resolving to end on a good note. Here’s a photo of my Negin and I in Jaipur when she came out to visit last weekend: