Maneth Dethchan-Manibusan :Northern India

We were in the triangle of India: Delhi, Agra, and Japur. It was the most interesting. Northern India, especially around Japur, is more rural than urban. We visited a village in the state of Rajasthan which produce rugs for Japur Rugs. The "country-side" is beautiful with vast open land of mustard plants. One thing that stood out of our trip to the village was the way the women were covered and had to ask permission to speak to people outside their village. These women did not have the same behaviors or freedom as the ones we have encountered in the past. They were very modest and covered. I recall a conversation with a woman working on a loom. She had stated that working at the loom is her choice and that she can walk away from it whenever she wants, whether to harvest or take care of her family. She was empowered by her work, but yet maintains her culture of modesty in public.

The work that these corporations are doing in Japur is inspiring. Japur Rugs are promoting women empowerment by training these women to eventually be master of the loom at their village, and slowly work their way to corporate. Antoher thing that is really interesting of our visit in Japur was men working in these businesses that promote fair trade and women empowerment. It seems a little confusing as to why there were no women in the company's factory itself. But when asked why that is so, the only response was "it's the culture of India for men to be the ones at work and not away from home." It is different to hear the reason as to why women do not work in businesses away from their families. It upsetted me when an entrepreneur explained to me about her business and why she does not plan of incorporating women in her workforce, but then it occured to me that she is already contributing so much to India with fair trade and the fusion of eastern and western clothing. To brush aside the culture of India in one felt swoop is unlikely.

One of the many exciting things about Northern India is the shopping. One cannot beat the prices and the shopping experience in India. A woman can hone their negotiating skills and management skills in their markets. The skill of negotiating is an art. I have learned it is a give and take as long as one are willing to walk away. This can be applied to life and work. Negotiating is not giving something up or taking something, it is a compromise. At work, women are statistically paid lower for "lack of negotiating" as one reason. But when you have performed well and contributed more than enough, the willingness to walk away can do wonders for your compensation.