20 Mar India Day 10: The Power to Change a World

Day 10 (The Power to Change a World)

Last day together as a group in Mumbai. Many of us are splitting off to go to other locations within India or other countries (Goa, Nepal, Carola, and Paris). However, Paul and I decided to stay in Mumbai to meet the parents and friends of our dear friend Suma.

Our final two group stops: Leela Hotels (real estate) and Lend-a-Hand. For once, I made the early morning meeting time of 8:30 am. Except I didn’t, as Doggett wanted to transfer footage because he was leaving later in the afternoon. So technically, we were still late. Like 10-15 minutes late. Curses.

The meeting at Leela took the form of a Q&A session rather than a formal presentation where the CEO answered questions on the development of India, costs, and more. (Fun Fact: Mumbai has the number four highest cost in real estate in the world.) I zoned in and out for most of the statistics, but the CEO’s life story drew me back. He truly started at the bottom as a busboy and worked his way up to CEO. Inspiring.

After Leela we traveled by bus out of Mumbai and into the rural areas to visit with the Lend-A-Hand organization. Lend-a-Hand, started by a UT alumni, strives to teach children in government-aided schools (primarily in rural areas) the practical work and life skills they can use in their daily lives. There they learn how to make electrical circuits, welding, handicrafts, and other skills. Both boys and girls follow the same courses in the hopes that these skills will enable them to gain better career and entrepreneurial opportunities.

Along the way, we discovered less of the cleaner Mumbai and more of the slum and polluted areas. We were venturing into areas where most of the Indian population still lives. The road, littered with things to make the bus violently rock, had tiny shacks made from tin, tarp, and trash lining its sides. Twice, the back of the bus rocked so hard that it felt like it would tip over at any minute.

At lunch, we received neat boxed lunches packed by Trident; yet, most of us did not eat much because we had had huge breakfasts at the hotel.

Upon arrival, we toured the school and learned more about the attending children.

A group of girls revealed to us how they learned to map the geographical height of the landscape, some even taking blood samples from us to tell us our blood type. I spent the time busily interviewing the little girls about how they felt at being taught the same skills as boys and how it helped their daily lives. It appears that many of the skills they acquired helped them find paying jobs and their families. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing these 12-15 years old girls learning skills that helped them become more independent.

A group of students informed me that they wanted to sing us a song they had learned in English to show their appreciation. Beautiful can only begin to describe it. (Fortunately for you, I filmed it.) Then, as per my custom, I encouraged the students to teach us how to dance because we wanted to dance with them for our music video. At first, the students acted extremely bashfully and we quickly realized that we had to make the first move to get them to open up.

We extended the offer to show them the Bollywood dance we learned during our first day in Mumbai and I have never seen news travel so fast. Before we knew it, the school courtyard swarmed with children, both boys and girls, eager to see these clumsy Americans dance. The commotion only increased once we started. Rohit even initiated a dance off with some of the boys and we saw some crazy dance moves that we had only see at the most hip clubs. Fantastically amazing.

Then the floodgates opened. Pretty soon, groups of children wanted to perform for us. When one group finished, another group would gesture for me to film them too as they sang or danced. Some of the girls actually knew the Bollywood dance we learned and they started dancing the exact same moves. Chikami Chameli, apparently, has a widespread appeal.

Unfortunately, we had to leave and none of us wanted to go. We could tell that our small gesture of dancing and talking with them meant the world to them. It truly touched all of our hearts to see these children’s faces light up with excitement. Maybe I can edit something short that the organization can use in their PR/marketing material.

On our way back to the hotel, we stopped at McDonald’s and something amazing happened. I stepped outside for some fresh air and I noticed a group of street children following a man. The man handed them some drinks and few bags of food and I felt so happy. As I walked back to the bus, a little boy and girl gestured to me for something to eat as well. Inspired by what I had seen, I went and grabbed my lunch and handed the two children my box. They looked so thankful.

Again, the demand for help easily exceeds the supply, so soon groups of children came to see if we had anything else to offer. My classmates started handing me boxed lunches left and right, and we cleaned out what we had, handing them to the homeless and poor. I hugged a few of the children they all waved at us as our bus pulled away. It felt good to know that I did something meaningful that day and I am sure most of the people on the bus did as well.

I passed out on the bus until we arrived at the hotel. Doggett had left in his car and we had the opportunity to explore. A shopping mall supplied us with food and I devoured an ice cream cone. At the hotel again, our super fantastic tour guide bid us farewell, and then Neeka, Amit, and I made plans to go shopping in the Colaba Causeway. Amit needed my assistance in picking out a bag and some scarves, Neeka purchased a pretty dress, and I negotiated the price of a beautiful 5000 rupee scarf down to half before buying it. When we shopped until we emptied our wallets, then we visited the Taj Mahal hotel marveled at its opulence. Finally, we headed over to Busaba to meet up with a remaining group for our “wild night” out in Mumbai.

By this time, I already felt the effects of the busy day. One adult beverage later and I began to fall asleep. Rohit, the only “crazy” night person, climbed over the bar asking for LIT. Several times. (Fun Fact: LIT – Long Island Ice Tea). I just know “Let’s get LIT” or “LIT me” or some other usage will find its way into conversation remainder of the trip. Oh, the small things we finding amusing.

We headed back to the hotel and finished off the night at the hotel bar before passing out. Tomorrow, most of the group will make their way across the globe while Paul and I begin our real explorations of Mumbai.