Maneth Dethchan-Manibusan: Coimbatore

The city is much more conservative than our previous stay at Mumbai. The students here are co-ed but their behaviors are different than that of Somaiya College. The males and females here are separated at events and assemblies, whereas in Somaiya they interact with each other. The way the two cities wear their sarees are different as well. Mumbai students wore jeans and t-shirts and what ever they would like to wear; and the students here where sarees or ethnic garbs. Their food and the way they eat are different. It’s complex to believe these are cities within one country.

We visited Shanti Ashram, which is a NGO (Non-Government Organization) that provides empowerment and education to female child and their mothers in rural areas. We had visited five sites that this organization helped assemble to empower regular housewives to earn more income for their families. These groups of women are called Self Help Groups. They earn an average of 2000 rupees a month, which is more than what they were earning as housewives. Although they are now earning a living as entrepreneurs, they have not forgotten their family social responsibilities.

I admire these women. I realize I cannot look at these women and their values with my western thinking. They are wonderful women that translate empowerment to us all. I truly feel conflicted at our first encounter. I later realized they are entrepreneurs in their own right. They work when they want to while taking care of their families. I want to share an observation about the treatment of women and men that I have noticed. An aunt was called to sit next to us but her younger nephew pushed her aside and sat down with his uncle instead. It shocked me and surprised me. It was not only the treatment of a women but treatment of an elder. Although this may not happen all the time but this was still my western thinking. Maybe it was normal in the culture or playful in their family, but it was highly unusual for me as an outsider.

I speak again of their hospitality and generosity. Everywhere we have gone, the people there are so nice and helpful. They are loving and accepting. They enjoy talents such as singing and dancing. The students here are like any other students in the west, with their hobbies and entertainment. Through various cultural festivals, we have seen they enjoy singing, dancing, and a form of pinata.