Day 5: 17th KIP A.I.R/JNU

2nd May 2011, May.

1st  we visited  the All India Radio (AIR). Each day my excitement just grows so much more. We received a tour of the grand radio station. 
Fiji is a very small place compared to India and so our radio stations in Fiji are on very small premises. 
We were welcomed into the conference room with roses (one for each one of us) and sweets. 
And these were very delicious sweets. nomnom!! We were briefed on what AIR is and what they do. So some information I noted were:

AIR is the only radio station that has a Youth Channel where they discuss Youth issues.
They do not have a specific English station but allocate slots where they play English music.
They have 7 channels: 1) Main AM frequency 2) Rajdhany (alternative channel) 3)Urvanu Channel- exclusive for Youth. 4) Vivid Bharit- commercial 5) FM Rainbow 6) FM Gold 7) DTS- connecting other district stations. 

The panel from the radio station engaged us in question and answers. they asked us about media in our respective countries and we asked them more questions about theirs. It was a constructive session and a good learning experience for us. 

2nd we visited Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 
The KIP members attended a short lecture on the programs and courses offered by the University and the opportunities it offers for International students. 
After that we were given a tour of the University- the very large library and the small book shop stalls. I got very excited by the range of books offered there. Bought 2 Psych books and one on gender and community all for $40FJD (Equivalent to about $20USD). 

The University halls had a great deal of Advocacy posters on the halls and important notices everywhere. 


Another great day well spent. 

PYC Project 2: Happy Home

This year (2012) the Know India Program (KIP) Alumni's in Fiji have formed a Youth Club called Pravasi Youth Club. The group has planned to embark on Community Projects and Charity work.

The second project done was on 17th November 2012 (as a Diwali initiative) and some of the members visited Happy Home (on Flectcher Road, Vatuwaqa). 
President of PYC Shaiza lended us her kitchen. Thank you for the kitchen and expertise (Master Chef Vineet). The cooking and chatting was great fun. 

      

 


We are grateful to the wonderful people at Matua Taxis's who drove us with all the food and dropped us safely to our destination in Vatuwaqa. 

The members (with some financial assistance from Indian High Commission, Fiji) cooked lunch and bought sweets for the residents of the Happy Home.

 

 

 

 


Elizabeth looks after Sujit Kumar and a few other kids at her wonderful home. She is looking after children who are at risk so most of the children come from abused backgrounds. It is really sad to see the statistics of children being abused at the hands of family members or someone the child trusted (family member or family friend). We are really proud of the work the trust is doing for Sujit Kumar and the other children. We are glad that we got the opportunity to visit these children and share a meal with laughs with them.


So that was our Diwali project and a Saturday well spent.

Until next blog . . . 
Alzima Elisha Bano 
Media and Public Relations Liaison
Pravasi Youth Club
Fiji

PYC Project 1: Lunch distribution

The Know India Program (KIP) Alumni from Fiji has formed a Youth Club called Pravasi Youth Club. The members decided on their first community outreach project as a Lunch Distribution to the poor and homeless on the streets of Suva. 

The members contributed towards the purchasing of the roti curry lunch parcels. The delicious lunch was purchased from Navintis catering (This wonderful restaurant is located at the University of the South Pacific Dinning Hall, Laucala Campus, Suva). 

Many of the members are students and employees and have busy schedules. All of them are unable to attend the projects but they do contribute in whatever way they possibly can. 

For this particular project the President, Shaiza Janif and the Vice President Shelvin Karan together with the support of Vineet Ram distrusted lunch to the poor people on the streets on Suva. 

If you would like to keep up to date with the projects of PYC you can click on this link, like the page and keep yourself updated :-) 

Unill next blog :-)

Alzima Elisha Bano
Media and Public Relations Liaison
Pravasi Youth Club
Fiji

Day 4: 17th KIP Kingdom of dreams

1st May, 2011 | Sunday.

After all the partying last night we were a little worried about waking up today and gearing up for more visits BUT once again we were so lucky. Our Sunday was treated well because we went to visit the Kingdom of dreams, Gurgao, Haryana. 
It was a great experience for all of us. 
There was food from the different corners of India under one roof and we had a feast =) *Buffet much*

The pani puri we ate was mouth watering. And since it is my favourite thing in the world wide world I was super excited!!! We managed to get our hands on some Kurta's (indian long tops) and bangles. A few of the participants got clay/pottery made for them or friends. 

In the late afternoon when we returned to the hotel we had so much energy left. And we were super lucky because the Chef decided to treat us to a roof top dinner (SCORE!!) He made pasta and some Indian food for all of us. We mingled with the chef and his other staff and had a good laugh among us as well. Im not sure who brought out the cards but we played that for a while as well. 

There is this sweet rice dish called KHEER and the chef made that for us. It is also one of the many things I love so of course I was super happy.

Overall today has been a lot of feasting and having some of my favourite food there made the day even more special. 

Day 3: 17th KIP Mall/temple/disco

30th April 2011 | Saturday

Today we had a day off (probably because it is a Saturday) and so we went to visit Select City Walk Mall in Delhi. It was a very huge mall (since the only mall I had visited in Fiji is just 3 floors and can be covered in less than an hour). This one was huge and we only checked out one Wing!! 

Later in the afternoon we visited the Akshardham temple. It was a such a wonderful temple to visit. we were not allowed to take cameras and cell fones inside the temple so could not take pictures there. And it was one of those places where I wish I could take pictures with my Eyes. Sigh. . . I learnt a little about the vedics  and there way of life. We took a short boat ride inside a very well structured building. It was a tour of how the vedics were the first gurus and how medicine, astrology, physics, wars and settlements came about in India. We stayed at the temple till the evening and saw a light show there as well. 

When we got back to the hotel we were all very tired. But we all turned into energetic monkeys once we were told that a 'disco evening' had been arranged for us. A dinning room was set out as a disco floor with a DJ and disco lights. The food was yum! and the music was awesome. 

At midnight we celebrated my favorite Peruvians birthday. Aarti's first birthday away from home and I am glad we made it a memorable one for her. Cake. Candles. Birthday song - the works. 

It was a great day :-) 

Day 2: Gandhi Smriti (Delhi)

29th April _ Day 2 of 17th KIP, 2011

Today we visited the Gandhi Smriti in Delhi and visited the Delhi Metro.

The Gandhi Smriti has been converted into a little museum which retells the life story of Gandhi's life. This is the place where he lived the last days of his life and was shot at the back yard of this very place. We were allowed to see the place where the great man himself was killed. I found it very interesting to walk around and read the things about Gandhi's life. there is a small room which has walls covered with details of the LAST DAY of his LIFE. Also amazing was the technology used to making information easily accessible to visitors.

Delhi Metro one of its kind in Delhi. This was my first trip on a metro (as Fiji has none) and I am sure my trip to Australia did not include a ride on a Metro.  We were told that the Metro is environmentally friendly and very economical as well as efficient. (I am no expert in these things so I will take their word for it). During Question and Answer session I asked if women were employed as Train operator or was it just men? And I was told that some 25 young women are train operators and these young women have engineering degrees :-) Power to Women. 

A wonderful day. We had lunch at McDonalds in Janpat - and managed to get some Cotton tops because it is extremely hot in Delhi at the moment. 

We are bonding well with the others on the trip :-) 

Day 1: 17th KIP_IIPA orientation

28th April | Day 1 of 17th KIP Program.

India's Institute for Public Administration _ for Orientation.

After we had breakfast at the Rocklan Inn Hotel (where we are staying) we took a bus ride to IIPA. Most of us were just very excited to be out of the hotel :-) We have a very bright Orange Bus ...

The entire day was spent at IIPA - listening to the other participants share information about themselves, their hopes and expectations and we also discussed ground rules (which was a good thing to do)
We also heard from other Professors about the History of India's Economy and things we should know about India's History.

We also had the film crew with us from today ;-) Aditi Dave, Nikhil and others :-)
As we stepped off the bus they were ready with their cameras, mics and whatnots :P

The food was pretty good and some of the sights we saw on our way to and from IIPA were pretty awesome. The first thing that caught my eye was the emence traffic!!! Fiji is a very small place we usually have 2 lanes of traffic BUT here they have 3 lane traffics (for the one way) and at least 4 cars have squeezed into that space. Do not want to be a driver here!!

 

 

The day spent at IIPA was not too bad _ But it was not the BEST orientation either. I had expected a higher level of professionalism from the Professor who coordinated our day. She seemed to think she was one of the 'kids'...

Apart from all that I am very excited about the next three weeks :-)

Meeting the President of India, 2011

An empowering Memory.

Last year (2011) I was selected to represent FIJI under the 17^th Know India Program. Three weeks. Three states. 24 participants from 7 different countries. It was pure awesomeness! We learnt so much.

As we celebrated International Women’s Day this month (March) I thought it was appropriate to share this experience.

We visited the Delhi Metro and met with the executives who shared with us how economical and environment friendly their metros were. I wanted to know how many women actually worked as train operators and I was told some ten women who graduated with engineering degrees worked with – hands on.

In Punjab we visited the rail coach factory and it was so empowering to note that women worked in the factory as electricians, upholstery workers and joiners. There were women driving through the busy streets on their scooters and motorbikes wearing salwar kamiz. I have only seen that in movies before.

Two days before our program ended we visited the Parliament house, New Delhi and were told we will be meeting the President, Her Excellency, Mrs. Pratibha Patil. She is the first female President of India (the largest democracy in the world). If that is not empowering I don’t know what is. I was fortunate enough to be granted the opportunity to address Her Excellency in a speech, stating how my trip to India had been. I wrote a tiny speech on a paper but was not allowed to take it inside with me. So I improvised and jot down points on a tissue paper (make wise use of resources).

As we all set, nervously, waiting to be in the same room as Her Excellency, I was approached by one of the organizers and told I had to greet the President with a lovely bunch of flowers (this certainly added to the pressure I was already under). I did well – I think.

So what did I talk about?

First and foremost I acknowledged how empowering it was to be in the same room as Her Excellency and I shared with her how impressed I was with the level of empowerment women have received in India (women employed in some male dominated fields), secondly I mentioned the quality of education offered in India and how impressive it was that people from all over the world came to study in India. Finally, I acknowledged the rich art and culture present in India.

She thanked us for our attendance and shared some of her own comments. Such a powerful lady – is all I could think of. But something she said in that room is stuck in my head.

“In places like Rajhestan – women are in law enforcement fields. Women who once needed protection are now protecting others”.

 Such powerful words and something for us to think about as well.

At the Rastapati Bhawan, India. May 2011.

For me (personally) this has got to be the most POWERFUL and the most EMPOWERING woman I have met so far!!! She leads the largest democracy in the World and she does it so Simply!!

Until next blog...

:-) ELISHA!!!

17th KIP 27/04/2011

27th April 2011, Wednesday.
Day 2 of Hotel Arrest =( well it is not that bad but of course being in India and staying in doors is not much fun. we would rather be out doors and exploring this amazing city!!

The first KIPLET that we met was PRIYA RAVEL from USA. very nice young lady. BONUS it is her birthday today. how exciting!!

Slowly other participants started coming in.
There were
9 participants from South Africa.
5 from TnT.
2 form Suriname.
1 from France
1 from Peru.
2 from USA. And of course us
4 from Fiji.

Over dinner we got meet each other (others were still jet legged - poor people).
I remember while we set for dinner Mr. France (Ranjit) came in and mumbled something. I just got ..... Ranjit Singh from Fronce (yeah that is how you pronounced it Ranjit) and than he mumbled something off after and set to eat.

It was an eventful evening - Pratima (the other care taker who we had. She was LOVELY) got a cake for Priya and we all sang Happy Birthday for her. Pratima also smashed some cake on Priya's face (AWESOME).

From tomorrow the main purpose of this travel begins... the 17th Know India Program (April - May 2011)... Chalo Delhi :)

Day 1 in India. 17th KIP

26 April 2011
Waking up in Room 228, Hotel Rockland Inn, CR Park, New Delhi - next to me is Parishka Sharma. Time on my watch is 9.30am (India Time) Gosh! That means I only slept for some six hours. Walked over to the window and stared out. The hotel signage was blocking most of my view of the road but I could still see partially. People driving like mad. People crossing anyhow. Some selling goodies to passer bys. Some yarning by the roadside.

By the time a freshened up the other two girls were awake and came over to our room. We made our way down to the lobby only to find out that breakfast ends at 10am! HAH!! We missed breakfast. We can't go out of the hotel. What will we do?

The very nice lady at the counter came to us and told us we can go and breakfast =) Phew. That was such a relief. So we went and had breakfast. Enjoyed out first meal in India. It was similar to that back home :)

The chef came and met us - he was really nice - and told us to make our way back to the dinning area at 1pm for nice Lunch. So after our wonderful breakfast we made our way up to room 228 and watched TV. So many channels to flip through so we did not mind staying in doors. Plus this was a bonding moment for us as well. We all got to know each other a little better and this was time well spent.

at 1pm we went down for lunch - very yummy Pasta and salad and we also had delicious Butter Chicken and Naan :) And for dessert we had strawberry Ice cream :D

After lunch we returned to the room and watched TV and told jokes and stories =) It was fun.

For dinner we had pasta, aloo (Potato) curry and a very nice noodle dish. Mr. Sharma came to visit us and complimented on us being well behaved (a very LOL moment). it is very exciting that more participants will be coming down tomorrow :) :0    
can't wait :D

So begins the 17th KIP 2011. (Getting from Fiji - India)

Good Morning,
So last week (April 2011) four of us young ladies were told that we are going to India for three weeks to represent FIJI under the 17th Know India Program. Yes such an honor for the four of us.

Kormal Devi, Dipika Kumar, Parishka Sharma, Alzima Elisha Bano.

This was the first time for a full female team to represent Fiji for the Know India Program <we thought it was real cool that this lucky opportunity was granted to us>

We were up around 5am, 25/04/2011. Got to the Nadi International Airport at 6am for check in and waited for our 8.30am flight to HongKong. This trip was very exciting for Parishka as it was her first time on a plane =)

 It took us ten hours to reach HKG and I was just not sleepy at all. I can't say the same for my fellow friends . . .

 . . Yeah they slept most of the time <some people> but they were up when it was time to eat.
We flew over.


 PNG: Papua New Guinea



Manilla, Phillipines.













Next stop Hong Kong. . .
(Photos from the hongKong airport are here )

We departed from HongKong airport at 7.30pm (Hongkong time) and had a 5 hour flight to New Delhi, India. It was probably the longest 5 hours of my life. The passengers on the flight were just impossible. I felt so sorry for the flight attendents, they had to reason and explain some very basic things. Things like what you may ask.
Things like: Sir, please sit down, the pilot has turned on the 'seat belt' sign. This passenger did not want to sit down. The pilot commented twice that we were about to land but the runway was not clear so we still circling over the airport. But this grown man did not want to listen. He wanted to walk in the flight.

Anyway, we finally landed at the Indira Gandhi Airport. By the time we collected our bags and got throught customs it was 1am 26/04/2011 (India time - 7.30am Fiji Time) and all this time I had not slept. I did have a half hour nap on the way from Hongkong to India.

Mr. Vandan Sharma from the tracel company picked us up from the airport and at this point we did not know that we will be looked after by him through out the three weeks.
As soon as we stepped out of the airport a gust of heat slapped us on the face <being tired and sleepy made it feel worse than what it was). I saw a real neat Billboard on a building across from the airport. It was the billboard for a cell phone with lights and all <I wish my sister was here to see this - she is a Graphic desinger and works for a prominent advertising company back home>
The drive from the airport to the hotel was long (Mostly because we were tired).
On the way we saw:
1) People working at construction sight (reminder: this is around 1am!!)
2) Families sleeping on the side walk with little children.
3) People sitting around and chatting.
4) Passengers travelling to and from the airport.

Finally at 1.45am we reached the hotel. we were greeted with refreshing cold drinks and friendly smiles of the staff :) our rooms were assigned <Parishka and I were going to be roomies, while Dipika and Kormal would be roomies>
After they took our bags up to the room and we set for a little, Mr. Sharma came up to us and said Ladies, I will see you tomorrow. Call the staff here if you need anything. PLEASE do not leave the hotel! <hearing this we could have had heart attacks. you see we arrived two days before the program starts>
We went up to our rooms and decided we will follow the rules. Time to get some sleep...
HOTEL ARREST who would have thought . . .

I set by the window for a little while, watching the traffic flow... Finally we are in India. This is something I wanted to do for a very long time. Visit INDIA. :)