Blogs from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India, Asia - page 14

Here is a piece I wrote for Sambhali Trust's website: Change comes from within. Within each person, certainly, but also within a community, from the web of minds that shape a household, a village, a culture. Change often sprouts up, struggling, between cracks in the pavement, fueled by internal unrest. Sambhali Trust has planted this change in a fertile bed, where a garden of women to unfold their brilliant, resilient petals. The potential of Sambhali Trust runs deep within the experiences and beliefs of its beneficiaries. Each smiling woman and girl has a story, hardships and roadblocks they’ve faced and continue to tackle. When I arrived at Sambhali Trust, I was welcomed by a graceful group of women, adorned in vibrant clothes, jewelry and a thirst for knowledge. I swelled with admiration, and anticipation of working ... read more

Namaste! Ap kesay hum? It’s hard to keep my journals updated with all I’ve been doing, and post them on the internet regularly. Here are a few compiled entries about my Non-Government Organization, Sambhali Trust: My first meeting with Govind, the center’s director, was with two other interns and all of the teachers at Sambhali Trust. The meeting was thoughtfully planned so that it began about 10 minutes after I walked into Sambhali Trust for the first time. The benches were lined with women in the colorful Rajasthani dress, each with a golden nose piercing and decorative jewelry. Most of them wear a sticker dot on their forehead between the eyes, with a painted scarlet streak in their hair part to signify marriage. The attire was a korti or camese, a sleeved shirt, which reaches to ... read more

May 30th (I wrote this a few days ago, but this is the first day I've gotten internet! I hope to write a new entry soon as so much has happened since sunday :) Namaste! I know I arrived here yesterday, but it already feels like so long! I’ve met my fellow interns and they are all awesome. Everyone has some story or crazy experience, and is really friendly and ready to learn about Jodhpur. Our orientation has consisted of shopping, eating, learning Hindi, drinking, dancing, swimming (in the only pool in Jodhpur, the existence of which Gabriel considers a crime in the desert) and discussing about our expectations about the program. Last night at a club/bar (one of two in all of Jodhpur) I met my director and host at Sambhali Trust. Apparently, the NGO ... read more

Upon leaving Jaipur I met a woman from Montreal, and all she could talk about was going North - well, I think she has convinced me! But for the moment, I'm still doing my whirlwind through Rajasthan. It was not suppose to happen like that - well, nothing was really planned and I just went by feeling, but feelings seem to turn sour quickly here, and so in the matter of 5 days or so, I have made my way to Jodhpur only to leave to Jaisalmere a few days later, and now I am ready to pack up my bag. The only thing stopping me now though is my stomach. In the mid-afternoon, I was picked up by Jonti, my faithful rickshaw driver, and take to the train station. SOmething weird was happening in my ... read more

Hi... Was on a small business trip to this 'Blue City' in the deserts of Rajasthan..in India. The sand glows as the sun rises and speaks of fascinating historical/royal/palatial/cultural stories of the royal 'marwars' of rajasthan. Jodhpur history revolves around the Rathore kin. Rao Jodha, the chief of the Rathore family, is certified with the origin of Jodhpur in India. He founded Jodhpur in 1459. The city is named after him only. It was formerly known as Marwar. Initially, Mandore served as their capital, but, by 1459, Rathores felt a need for a secure capital. This lead to the formation of Jodhpur, the Sun City, by Rao Jodha. Jodhpur the second largest city of Rajasthan has been drawing the notice of tourists from all over the world. Standing as the guard of the country's western border, ... read more