Maneth Dethchan-Manibusan: Mumbai

While in Mumbai, interactions with the students and faculty of Somaiya College helped me understand the new role of women in Mumbai. The students perceived us, students of the United States, to have stereotypes of Indian women and India itself. But it turned out that they also have stereotypes of women in the United States. To eliminate these stereotypes questions of India and the United States were exchanged. One instance was about ketchup. We were having Indian dinner and a Somaiya student said they would put ketchup on a side dish. I respnded with "what?". It was meant as "why would you want to change the wonderful flavors of Indian cuisine?". But it was mistaken as a stereotype of India lacking ketchup. The student and I laughed about the misunderstanding and learned that she too like ketchup on everything.

A meeting with Amrita Somaiya helped me understand the controversy of traditional women roles and the modern world. Incorprating family into one's work is not a regression in society but a progression. To be able to take care of one's family and change certain aspects of society (work) is incredible. Amirta has given meaning to chosing to stay at home and raising a family as an educated woman. She helped me understand that with an education she had received she can decide to stay home and be perfectly content with it. As I am a mother and feel strongly that my family comes first before my career; the attainment of an education is also a must for me to motivate my child to achieve the same standards, then she can make her own choices in the world.

P.S. With all the things we have seen and heard about women empowerment, I feel organizations in Mumbai: Nareshwadi, Laadi, Akanksha Centre, etc., are on its way to changing the lives of women in rural and low income families.