Update on India 2008

Greetings to All,

I recently returned from a trip to India in January. I went to see what challenges my clients still face, and to hear the Indian voice on these issues. The trip was all about connecting with people, a skill still very much needed to work in India. My passion for this country grew ten-fold on this trip, and it was one of those experiences that just seemed charmed from beginning to end.

Enjoy some pictures and as always I invite comments!

The last day of the SIETAR India conference (SIETAR = Society of Intercultural Education Training and Research) we had some performers dance and sing for us. As the end of the night approached, we all joined in, moving to the music, reaching our hands up and rejoicing. I had seen such a party at the SIETAR USA conferences. Hmmm, I’m getting ideas…

This man is one of the greatest teachers on Earth. His name is Thiagi and he was the keynote speaker at our conference. He teaches that most learning takes place through play and games. I couldn’t agree more! Check out his website at www.thiagi.com.

This is a colleague that I met in Chennai while visiting Corent Technologies. I made many friendships there that last to this day.

I often tell my presentation skills students that not speaking aloud, not putting yourself out there in the world is opportunity lost. Nothing could have been more true on this day in India. I attended a harvest festival in Bangalore with some friends who are prominent citizens in the community. I was the only Westerner in the crowd of 300 or so, and just as we were getting ready to leave to go home we were stopped. People had seen me and wanted to offer me respect by giving me a garland. Then they asked me to make a speech! (See next picture)

I got up in front of the crowd and told them how much I loved India, how much we all had in common and how I wished them all the best for next year’s harvest. The response was beyond anything I could have imagined. Imagine if I had said “no” to the speech due to fear.

Here we offer incense to the cows as a thanks for all they do and as a blessing.

Then the cows have to jump over fire! I stood close to get this picture but it was a little scary, and thrilling!

The Indian princess relaxes at friend Narayan’s home.

A busy Indian market where you can find nearly anything you want to buy and enjoy the ordered chaos.

A traffic jam and competition of the auto-rikshaws makes getting around in Indian cities frustrating and fascinating at the same time.

Me pictured with one of my dearest friends from India, Jessy, and her family, who welcomed me as one of their own.

Here I am at Cafe Coffee Day, the Indian version of Starbucks. Although I relish the local food, I treated myself to a pastry and a latte every so often. I actually don’t care for pastries or coffee, but this place was an amazing place to see the changing trends of India’s young people. I would sometimes find couples holding hands there, unheard of not long ago. I wonder what will come next?

I dream of India every day and can’t wait for my next trip, hopefully this year. I cannot contain my passion for the country and I will forever be a student of its complexities.