Shannon -Coimbatore

Although we have only been able to spend a few days in the city of Coimbatore I have noticed significant differences in culture and traditions as compared to Mumbai. All of us individually, finally had hands on experience with the different style of saree draping. On our arrival at GIM (a management school in the local area) a group of girls immediately directed us to their dormitories where we each had our own special dressing room with four or five female students to help us dress. The saree style here is different from that of the northern regions of India in the way they pleat the front and also that they wrap it around from the front to the back. The changes are so subtle though that Professor Gupta had to briefly point it out before I was able to actually see a difference.
Also the south is much more conservative. You will never find the women here dressed in western outfits such as jeans or pants of any sort, nor will you find them wearing t-shirts, sweatshirts etc. The dress code is strictly traditional Indian clothing even in the universities.
Even though I have only been in the country for about a week now and have only been able to experience the culture of two different states I have slowly caught on to the diversity among each state. When traveling in the United States you could drive from state to state and not realize a difference other than a small sign in the side of the rode. Here each state is very unique. Each of the twenty-eight states in India have their own language and cultures and in some cases mannerisms, which I find very intriguing. I only wish that I could be more culturally diverse at home in Boston.