a[broad] view: Keep on Dancing

My first week in Delhi has flown by like a zooming rickshaw, yet the days have been so full with new experiences and unforgettable moments. Our schedule has been enjoyably intense, so having a rather slow-pace weekend to explore India independently was lovely…and so much fun!

After catching up on a few hours of much needed sleep, a couple of friends and I headed to a famous market called “Dilli Haat" on Saturday. The fair was filled with tent vendors selling all types of typical Indian knick-knacks; colorful scarves, thousands of skinny bangles, handmade purses and everything else in between. The marketplace was bright, beautiful and full of life. That evening we found ourselves exploring a neighborhood busy with young people. We stumbled upon a glamorous roof-top restaurant amongst ancient ruins and opted for some delicious brick oven pizza (no judgment, Indian food is heavy after a while!)

Sunday afternoon I had the extraordinary pleasure of being invited for lunch at the Singh’s, dear family friends of the Glick’s. The story goes that while Manu (Mr. Singh) came to study at Boston University roughly forty years ago, my great grandmother, Edith, cared for Manu like he was one of her own. Whether it was a Jewish holiday, laundry or if Manu was sick with a cold, Nana Edith always extended her home to him. She was Manu’s Boston “Auntie,” she loved him very much. Edith thought she was just helping a “poor Indian boy,” little did she know that he would grow up to be the Chairman of Max India, and one of the most successful business men out there. Manu’s kind and genuine heart combined with his deep gratitude for Auntie Edith’s generosity resulted in our families remaining very close ever since. In fact, he is making arrangements to be in Boston for Edith’s 100^th birthday this April!

Now that the roles have reversed and it is a Glick who’s the college student in a new and unfamiliar setting, Manu has played the role of my “Uncle” while I have been here; so selflessly sweet and loving. It was such a treat spending time with him and his family this weekend, they are such a rare breed of warm and bring a whole new meaning to hospitality. Manu is the type of person who truly hugs you with his eyes; he and his children are so graciously kind. My friends and I had a great time and wonderful conversation with Manu and his family about life, destiny, urban planning and Delhi belly, just to name a few topics. We felt so welcomed and relaxed; it was a perfect day. I cannot mention Manu without giving a sentence on how extraordinarily beautiful and modestly luxurious his home is. From a student perspective, it was incredible to witness the stark contrast between the concentrated wealth of India as well as the wide-spread poverty I have only studied about in textbooks.

Speaking of wide-spread poverty…This afternoon my classmates and I visited the Federation of Street and Working Children, an NGO in Delhi known as CHETNA. The mission of the organization is to offer children who are working on the streets better opportunities and an enhanced quality of life through education, health and theatre programs. CHETNA strives to protect the rights of underprivileged children and make their lives mean more than just mere survival. Our class met many young teens who take part in this program, but one boy named Vigar struck a chord with me. He told us about his troubled past living in an abusive home. He ran away to the train tracks at eleven years of age, and met a group of fellow young boys who made a living by picking up plastic bottles left by passengers to sell to recycling businesses. He made sixty rupees a day doing this, but spent fifty to feed his substance abuse addiction. Vigar was ultimately rescued from this fatal lifestyle by the people of CHETNA and since then his way of life has completely changed. At seventeen, Vigar is happy, healthy, and receiving a proper education. He has also found a new passion through the theatre program; dance. I was nearly brought to tears watching Vigar perform for us, his white smile beamed so bright against his dark hazelnut skin as he moved his limbs like it was second nature. Today, I witnessed such a pure form of joy; a young boy dancing beyond his troubled past into a promising future. Vigar taught me that even when life can be dark, scary and seemingly worthless; you have to keep on dancing.

"Turn your face toward the sun and the shadows will fall behind you." -Maori Proverb

A few pictures from my weekend are posted below!

Namaste.

Lots of Love,

Rachel