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(02/26/14 5:05am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Time is running out for students wanting to sign up for Talgit-Birthright Israel: Hillel Trip. Registration is expected to close in a matter of days, and a record-breaking number of students have already signed up.This makes IU Hillel the top recruiter for Talgit-Birthright Israel in the nation so far, trip organizer Ally Turkheimer said.“I’ve never had so many applicants before,” Turkheimer said. “It’s beautiful and amazing and brings me so much happiness.”So far this session, 127 applicants have applied for the trips either this summer or later. The summer trip will take place at the end of May, but the official dates haven’t been released. Turkheimer said she believes a possible reason for the spike in interest is due to the change in eligibility made by Talgit-Birthright Israel. Previously, the trip was open only to those who had never been to Israel before. Talgit-Birthright Israel changed this in January.Now the trips are open to Jewish students who haven’t been to Israel since their 18th birthday. Students who have ever visited Israel for more than three months since age 12 are still not eligible. “From what I understand, the reason they open up the trips is to allow students to experience Israel again as adults and connect back to their Judaism,” Turkheimer said. Turkheimer said IU Hillel probably won’t know when registration will end until 24 hours before, if they’re lucky.“It closes because you can’t have people keep applying,” Turkheimer said. “We need time to readjust the market and rebrand. There are always going to be people who are interested in signing up.” IU Hillel is the only provider on campus that allows students to schedule their trip anytime within the next two years, Turkheimer said. Rabbi Sue Shifron of Hillel said she believes it will be the best experience of their lives.She said the record numbers signing up for the trips are a testament to the religion’s presence at the University.“It shows what a strong Jewish community we have here on campus,” Shifron said. Shifron also said she hopes students will sign up even if they aren’t connected to IU Hillel. “Even if you don’t know anybody, it’s a great opportunity to make friends from this school that you can come back with,” Shifron said. Freshman Jackie Gallagher signed up for the trip last semester and said she’s hoping she gets into this May’s trip to Israel. “Even though it’s only a 10-day trip, we really will get to see all the important things,” Gallagher said. “The fact I get to go with a bunch of friends and people from school makes it great, too.” Not only is it a chance to travel for free and be with friends, but it also has deeper meaning for students, she said. “I think it’s important for Jews to visit Israel because it’s the homeland where so much culture and history is,” Gallagher said. “As you get older, you may start away from what your parents taught you and what you did religiously at home. This helps you get reconnected and stay on the Judaism path.” To learn more about the trips and registration, Turkheimer said she encourages students to either call or visit Hillel. Students wanting to sign up for the Talgit-Birthright Israel: Hillel-Indiana University trip should visit freeisraeltrip.org.“It’s going to be an amazing experience,” Gallagher said. “Everyone should try to do it if they can.” Follow reporter Suzanne Grossman on Twitter @suzannepaige6.
(02/25/14 3:04am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The streets are calmer, the crowds are smaller and the city seems sleepier. It’s Sunday in Paris.Unlike the United States, the customer does not always come first in Paris. Most restaurants, grocery stores and shopping centers all close or have shortened hours on Sundays. That’s right, no 24-hour Krogers. Though staring at an empty fridge on Sunday night can be inconvenient, it can also be challenging to figure out how to spend a Sunday in Paris.After my time here, I have come to realize Sundays are best saved for flânerie, or the act of strolling. The French noun “flâneur” translates to stroller, or lounger. The term first came about in the 19th century as a literary type. It became associated with the man of leisure or the urban explorer, essential to the streets of Paris. It might seem difficult to exercise this essential Parisian skill on a Sunday, but you just have to know where to look. MuseumsMost museums, including the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, remain open on Sundays. Though those two have an entry cost, there are many museums that are free to enjoy.The Paris Modern Art Museum provides free admission to its permanent collection. The Musée Carnavalet, which illustrates Paris’ complex history, also has free admission to its permanent collection.Musée Cernuschi (an Asian art museum), Maison de Victor Hugo (Victor Hugo’s residence) and the Paris Police Museum are also on the list. Flea markets (marchés aux puces) Flea markets are the perfect place to wander aimlessly, but still manage to find a knick-knack or two.Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen is one of the most well-known flea markets in Paris, but smaller ones can be found throughout the city. I explored Marché Vernaison, which is a smaller division of Marché aux Puces de Saint-Ouen.I was able to find old vintage postcards with pictures of the Sacré-Coeur and the Arc de Triomphe for a euro each. It’s easy to wander for hours but walk out with gifts for just about anyone on your list. The MaraisMany quarters in Paris are fairly calm on a Sunday, but the Marais is bustling with people.It’s a great place to grab a falafel, walk around, shop a little or just take a seat at a local café.The historically Jewish quarter now is a prime location for fashion boutiques, thrift shopping (friperie) as well as some great restaurants. The area is also home to Victor Hugo’s home and the Musée Picasso. Follow columnist Anu Kumar on Twitter @AnuKumar23.
(02/18/14 3:47am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>This past weekend, I was en route to see one of Paris’ most well-known monuments — la Basilique du Sacré-Coeur. Designed by French architect Paul Abadie, the basilica was constructed over a 39-year period in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.As I made my way up the hill using the basilica as my landmark, I inadvertently became acquainted with the quarter known as Montmartre. Named after the hill it sits on, this quarter is filled with historic landmarks and winding uphill paths, managing to strike a balance between appearing touristic and authentically Parisian.During my walk, I came across Café des Deux Moulins, famous for its appearance in the 2001 French film “Amélie,” where the title character works as a waitress. The café doesn’t have any signs or markers indicating its claim to fame, so while people stopped to snap a photo, locals continued to dine.Further up the hill, the area becomes predominantly pedestrian as the streets narrow into cobblestone pathways. There is a mix between residential properties, restaurants, cafés and small shops. There are even small parks tucked between streets filled with families from the area.Small shops selling postcards sit alongside boutiques selling home goods, jewelry and clothing. Surprisingly enough, I even managed to stumble across an Indian clothing boutique called Diwali.Right by the basilica, there is a square featuring local landscape artists selling their work surrounded by cafés with plenty of outside seating. Street musicians and performers are circled by onlookers with crepes in hand. It was hard to imagine a scene more fit for a postcard — until I approached Sacré-Coeur. Before me stood the basilica and beyond me was Paris.An accordion performer, the buzz of different languages and the hum of a small trolley making its way back down the hill all mixed together in the background.From the highest point in the city, I saw Paris sprawled before me. From famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower to the cluster of anonymous buildings, the view of Paris left me awestruck. Nothing could have been more picturesque.— anukumar@indiana.edu
(02/11/14 7:07pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>In my opinion, there is nothing more Parisian then sitting in a café and disappearing for an hour.Visiting a Parisian café is probably one of the more touristy activities to partake in, along with buying street crêpes. However, there is something to be enjoyed by how relaxed café culture is here.In the United States, if I were to sit down in a restaurant and only order a coffee, I might get a weird look from the waiter. Maybe it’s just me, but I felt that if I sat down somewhere, I had to order food. We don’t just sit and nurse a drink in the States like they do here in Paris.Personally, I think it is because of the tip pressure on waiters.People don’t really tip in Paris. Gratuity is included in the price of a meal. That is why if I were to sit down rather than take my coffee straight at the bar, it will jump in price by a euro. That’s why I have never felt rushed to leave — I am not being pushed out the door to make way for an empty-stomached diner. However there are always exceptions to this rule — tourist traps.I was talking about this with my host mother the other day. We were discussing touristy things to do in Paris on one of my free weekends, and I mentioned Angelina, a place well known for their hot chocolate. She quickly talked me out of it.It’s because the waiters will rush you in and out, she said.At my look of confusion, she continued.Normally a café will not push you because they are not required to turn tables as often as most American restaurants do. However, at a place like Angelina, the employees are severely underpaid, she said. My guess is because they need so many people to keep up with the demand. They either don’t want to or can’t pay them properly.Much like in the U.S., where I have heard waiters can get paid as low as $3 an hour, these waiters would be rushed to increase volume and therefore their pay. American waiters make up the difference by getting tips. I just don’t know what the French do to make up the difference.Since I know we don’t usually tip outside of what’s built in the price, I can only assume that the more customers the waiters serve, the better their pay is.Unfortunately, I don’t think anything will change soon for the plight of the café worker.However, if anything, I have learned one thing. If you want to spend a stereotypically Parisian afternoon sipping coffee, while still being treated well, don’t go anywhere near the tourist traps.Follow columnist Audrey Perkins on Twitter @AudreyNLP.
(02/11/14 3:34am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It’s no secret that Paris is home to some of the most impressive art collections in the world. But a visit to the Louvre can mean long lines and large crowds. Any art lover or museum go-er can also feel overwhelmed by the size of the museum. Musée d’Orsay boasts an impressive collection at a more comprehensible size, but everyday Parisians as well as tourists flock there as well. Musée de l’Orangerie serves as a great alternative to Paris’s two most popular art museums, the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay. While it’s located near both, the crowd here never tends to be as large.L’Orangerie exhibits eight of Claude Monet’s “Water Lilies” murals. Divided into two rooms on the main level, visitors can see these canvases stretch from wall to wall. Having seen Monet’s pieces featured in various art museums as well as in the 2011 film “Midnight in Paris,” it was quite remarkable for me to see his most famous pieces of work in person. Each oval room features four canvases. With seating in the middle, it’s simple to sit back and take in each piece of work from a distance. Because of the comprehensible size of the collection, it’s easy to walk around and observe each canvas without feeling rushed either. Musée de l’Orangerie contains works from other impressionist and post-impressionist artists in addition to Monet’s murals. Works by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso, among others, are featured on the museum’s lower level.Visitors can view the museum’s entire collection in one to two hours, depending on how slowly or quickly one moves. After having attempted to visit the Louvre and feeling quickly overwhelmed by its size and the crowd of visitors, Musée de l’Orangerie served as a breath of fresh air. It serves as the perfect stop for art lovers who don’t have a full day to spend at a museum. Conveniently located near the Jardin des Tuileries and on the bank of the Seine river, visitors can enjoy a pleasant stroll afterwards as well. —anukumar@indiana.eduFollow columnist Anu Kumar on Twitter @AnuKumar23.
(02/03/14 10:04pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Any major city offers quality people watching. But in order to see the greatest array of characters, you have to take public transportation. In Paris, it’s the Métro. The train line functions both underground as well as above ground, similar to train systems in major cities in the United States. As much as I love how efficient the metro is, and how I can get to any part of Paris without a car, the people watching is by far my favorite part. But here’s the catch: you can’t make eye contact with people in Paris. While it’s common to smile at someone in the U.S., even if that person is a stranger, it is simply not part of the culture in Paris. If by mistake you do end up making excessive eye contact with someone, be prepared to have a potential stalker. Eye contact is a way to express interest in a stranger, so unless you are ready to mingle, it’s highly recommended you stare at your feet while on the metro. The first time I rode the metro, I was staring at people constantly. Public transportation pulls people from every part of the city, as well as the suburbs, into one collective space. It provides a great sampling of Paris’ diversity. Of course, it didn’t take long for me to realize I was one of the few lost foreigners who hadn’t received the keep-your-eyes-to-yourself memo. Now, I stick to reading or listening to music as I slyly sneak a peak at the people around me every now and then.Even after adapting a more Parisian approach to riding the metro, I have witnessed an accordion player accompanied by a young boy singing gibberish, a Spanish couple singing “Stand by Me,” a woman running out of the train to relieve herself right on the platform as well as people spreading political propaganda. So, although it is in your best interest to keep to yourself while riding the metro, it certainly doesn’t take away from the characters you are sure to run into.— anukumar@indiana.eduFollow columnist Anu Kumar on Twitter @AnuKumar23.
(01/27/14 9:32pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It was a cool Paris afternoon filled with a steady bustle of people on the streets despite the lack of sunshine. As I walked along the streets of Paris, closer to the Seine river and the Notre Dame, I heard a steady chant of voices. Pushing through the crowd, I encountered a protest. Fliers were quickly put in my hand, and I was surrounded by signs. One group spoke about environmental concerns while the other advocated to free Palestine.We were warned during our orientation that the Parisians treat protests and political activism as a sport, but even knowing that, the number of people and range of issues involved was still surprising.The following protest I ran into was by far the most impressive. It made international headlines. AP reported, “Thousands criticize French leader in Paris Protest.” France 24 reported, “Thousands take part in Paris ‘Day of Anger’ targeting President Hollande.” Walking near the Bastille, I began to see armed French officers, fully equipped with bulletproof vests and guns. The numbers grew with the sound of chanting. Painted signs advocated for a multitude of issues. Jan. 26, 2014: Un jour de colère, a day of anger. I took a seat at a local café and decided to observe the action unfold. The police were aligned along the sidewalk, ready to take action as protesters continued to let their voices be heard in the pouring rain. In a second, officers with the title “gendarmerie” labeled on their vests dashed to the center of scene. Protests are common enough in France there is a military force specifically equipped to handle police duties among citizen populations. Essentially, they have an entire unit just for protests. As I attempted to eavesdrop, hoping to catch a word or two of the action, a couple of Americans commented on the common occurrence of protests in Paris, but noted this one seemed to be getting more attention than others. TV crews, additional police teams and observers continued to gather. Within seconds, I heard distant booms, echoing back in my direction. One of the American women sitting at the café commented, “It sounds like tear gas.” The passionate mass of protesters and the officers responding to them was contrasted by the nonchalance of bystanders going about their day. This was normal.In the United States, most protests I have observed concern individual rights such as gay marriage or the right to abortion. Demonstrators during the day of anger protested broader topics concerning the masses, such as high rates of unemployment and high taxes, similar to the demands made by the Occupy Wall Street movement in the U.S.Contrastingly, the protesters that were a part of the day of anger were not only young, but were a sample of the broad age range in France. All were united against the current government under President Francois Hollande. Eventually the protesters were hushed and the area returned to its quiet Sunday afternoon bustle, but something tells me this certainly won’t be the last French protest I run into. Follow columnist Anu Kumar on Twitter @AnuKumar23.
(01/23/14 6:30pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>First impressions are stressful when it comes to meeting people. Saying the right thing, not having food stuck in your teeth, appearing to be seemingly put together — it becomes quite the hassle. But, when you meet a city for the first time, there is no pressure.Paris opened up her streets to me and I, in return, did not have to worry about impressing her. Arriving at my home for the semester, tucked away in the 17th arrondissement, it was a surreal feeling to see sights I had only seen on postcards. Needless to say, Paris has me swooning for more. Of course, first impressions are often followed by the getting-to-know-you phase, which at times is less romantic than the initial meeting. That moment hit as I got down from the cab, attempting to find a gap between tightly-packed cars in order to reach the sidewalk and avoid oncoming traffic. That challenge was followed up by the “how many large suitcases and moderately-sized humans can you fit into an elevator” game. But, it’s Paris. Any little hiccup in the day was triumphed by the fact that I can see the Arc de Triomphe from my apartment. The gorgeous window displays and packed market spaces easily beat out the rainy weather. Every Parisian smoker exhaling a puff your way can be deflected by focusing on the sound of French conversation. Even a confusing metro map can be decoded and provide clarity. Despite my initial anxiety of having to carry on a conversation, I have successfully stumbled through an entire day of speaking solely in French with my host. Native French speakers, as I’ve witnessed it, appreciate the attempt. Even the cab driver noted, “Speak French, it’s good for you.”As people, we’re meant to adapt, to be mobile and overcome what is foreign to us. At the end of the day, I am willing to be a little lost and sound like a foreigner if it means I am within walking distance from one of the most famous French monuments.I think Paris and I will get along just fine. Follow columnist Anu Kumar on Twitter @AnuKumar23.
(01/13/14 7:53pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>The days leading up to leaving are always an interesting mix of feeling both prepared and completely frazzled. This feeling eases with time and lessens in intensity with experience. In about a week, I’ll be in Paris, France. In some sense, I feel like I understand Paris. There are countless films, pieces of art and music, and a fair number of themed restaurants that ooze an idealistic picture of romance, beauty and sophistication. Having grown up on the eastern side of the world, Western culture feels foreign to me. Granted, I’ve lived in the U.S. for 11 years, but because my childhood was based in Tokyo, Japan, and defined by an Indian upbringing, the eastern side of the world automatically feels more familiar at times. Anticipating the unfamiliar, I turned to the Internet. I learned about the arrondisements, or districts, of Paris, each with its own vibe and flavor. Researching popular restaurants, cafes, museum free days and free Wi-Fi spots has put me a bit more at ease, though every Parisian fashion blog has me questioning the quality of my wardrobe. Of course, the language barrier can’t be ignored. I have studied French since I was in high school. I figured I should just take the plunge into the I-need-to–have-a-regular-conversation-with-this-real-French-person stage of learning a language. Here’s to hoping my accent doesn’t give me away too quickly, and I don’t fall into a manhole because I failed to read a sign. But if I do, there’s an app to help. As I stare at my large black suitcase and think about how I am going to fit four months of my life into a neat package, I am looking forward to an adventure. To people watching on park benches, to wandering without a map and awkward, stumbling conversations in French. I hope to learn a thing or two about the Parisians, the city’s landmarks and hidden treasures, and overall sense of culture.I hope you stick around to see the adventure unfold. Follow columnist Anu Kumar on Twitter @AnuKumar23
(12/11/13 2:40am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It’s really cold in Chicago.This is news to no one, but my body has yet to adjust to that negative-three-degrees-Fahrenheit-with-the-wind-chill-and-still-snowing kind of cold.Knowing I was tanning in Kochi this time last week makes it worse.Terrible weather aside, it’s great to be home.My family put up our Christmas tree and decorations. I’ve been drinking as much tap water as possible, my mosquito bites are healing and the yellow curry stains are finally washed out of my fingernails.Friends and relatives have asked what my favorite and least favorite parts of studying abroad in India were or what I learned. I told them I enjoyed living in a country that’s completely different than where I grew up in. I learned that labeling things as good or bad would help me little in understanding the complexities of Indian life. Comparisons are only helpful to share my experiences with people back home.If nothing else, I definitely gained perspective.As I reflect on what I’ve learned, here are a few things I found surprising during my time in India.Bollywood runs the music industry. Rather, Bollywood is India’s music industry. With classical music as the only exception, film soundtracks encompass every musical genre. Contrary to what people with minimal exposure to Indian movies might think, most Bollywood actors don’t sing. Playback singers are well-known and successful in their own right. Age, gender and class don’t dictate musical preference like they do in the United States. Old Hindi film songs are especially popular.Also, obesity and diabetes are big problems.Before going to India, my family joked I would lose weight from eating so many fresh vegetables. In reality, the high salt and sugar diet many Indians eat combined with an increasingly sedentary lifestyle has lead to an obesity and diabetes epidemic. Roughly 67 million people in India have diabetes, according to the Times of India. In comparison, the American Diabetes Association reports 25.8 million Americans have the disease.Third, “servants” are common and referred to as such.Middle class and affluent families often keep one or more full-time servants to cook, clean and do the washing.While they are usually treated well, servants typically sleep on the floor and do not use the same bathrooms as the families they work for.People can tell if someone is a servant or a low-wage worker based on their appearance. During my first week in India, I ate lunch at a fairly nice restaurant where the busboys didn’t wear shoes. Lastly, poverty isn’t isolated.Families live underneath blue tarps alongside mansions worth several crore, or 10 million rupees. Manual laborers sleep on the grassy medians of busy streets in Hyderabad. Women, children and handicapped people begging for money are commonplace. Sure, homeless people are a fairly common sight on the streets of Bloomington and in cities across America. But the frequency and severity of poverty I saw in India felt very different.— kmthacke@indiana.eduFollow columnist Kate Thacker on Twitter @KatelynThacker.
(12/04/13 3:04am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Before the sun rises over India tomorrow, I’ll be on a flight home to the United States.I keep wondering if I would even recognize Hyderabad if I visit five or 10 years from now.Construction is constant here.Some friends and I traveled to Kerala last week. When I arrived back to my neighborhood, two buildings near my flat that have been under construction for months were almost complete.The terribly potholed road was partially repaired, too.It’s amazing how quickly things are built, considering how they’re constructed.Wooden poles rather than metal scaffolding bear a building’s weight from floor to floor. Layer upon layer of cement is added from the foundation up over the course of several weeks. I have yet to see a hard hat or safety goggles around any construction site.In Hyderabad, and presumably around the rest of the country, builders live hand to mouth. To put it another way, they eat, sleep and work in the buildings they’re constructing.Laundry hangs out to dry as workers mix cement or saw metal to support interior columns during the heat of the day.Given the circumstances, it’s not surprising building collapses are fairly common. In September, 61 people died when an apartment building collapsed in Mumbai.The Guardian reported more than 2,650 people died in building or bridge collapses in India last year. But lack of building regulation and oversight is a story for another day.Hyderabad isn’t just building up. It’s also building out. University of Hyderabad is located in Gachibowli. When it was founded in 1974, the spacious university campus was at the outskirts of the city.Now, it’s almost part of the hustle and bustle of Hyderabad. HITEC City, the information technology hub, is right next door.I’m excited to see what’s in store for the city I’ve grown to appreciate during the course of these five months.Looking back on my time in India, I hope to remember both the mundane and the exceptional. I want to remember the dusty walks along the side of the road to school when I couldn’t manage to catch an auto, as well as walking up to the Taj Mahal in Agra.The sound of the paperboy shouting up from below our balcony every morning is just as vivid in my mind as the sight of the tea plantations in Munnar from 2,200 kilometers above sea level.Life here can be a sensory overload. I expect living in the U.S. again will feel unusually calm.These columns have been a way to process, reflect on and remember my experiences in India. Thanks for sharing the journey with me.— kmthacke@indiana.eduFollow columnist Kate Thacker on Twitter @KatelynThacker.
(11/15/13 1:50am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>I’ve had a very tumultuous relationship with white rice.Back in September, I hated the stuff.Consuming rice at least twice per day for two months made me loathe the thought of eating it for another day, let alone the rest of the semester.I started coming up with creative ways to avoid eating rice without my host mom noticing. Anything to minimize my rice intake.In India, rice isn’t a side dish. It’s the main component of the meal.The International Rice Research Institute — I swear this is a real nonprofit research group — reports India consumes more than 82.6 million metric tons of rice per year. Andhra Pradesh, the state where Hyderabad is located, is nicknamed the “rice bowl of India.” The IRRI estimates rice constitutes 77 percent of all crops grown in Andhra. During the past two months, I’ve rekindled my love of the staple crop.My favorite way to eat rice is covered in my host mom’s dal palak, which is split lentils with spinach, with a bit of ghee to top it off.White rice does have some nutritional value, contrary to what I once thought. It’s a complex carbohydrate and is easy for most people to digest.When fresh vegetables are cooked in a curry and added on top, it becomes even more nutritious.Twenty percent of the world’s calorie intake comes from rice. It’s easy to grow, cheap and versatile.Rice is also a student-on-a-budget’s dream. University of Hyderabad canteens sell meals, which include several cups of rice and nearly unlimited curry, for 30 rupees, or 50 U.S. cents. I’ll probably have consumed about 15 kilograms, or 33 pounds, of rice during my five months in India.This knowledge would have disgusted me a few months ago. Now, I accept it as an essential part of the cuisine I love so much.But in 20 years, rice consumption may decrease in India and across Asia.Household incomes are rising, and rising incomes allow for greater dietary diversity.Even so, it’s a bit hard to believe that higher incomes will substantially lower rice consumption.Indian food wouldn’t be the same without rice.— kmthacke@indiana.eduFollow columnist Kate Thacker on Twitter @KatelynThacker.
(10/30/13 2:30am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Many University of Hyderabad professors are canceling class today.This time, it’s not because of a festival or religious holiday. It’s for student union elections.From 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., students will vote for their next president, vice-president, general secretary, joint secretary, sports secretary and culture secretary.Unlike IU Student Association elections, where general student apathy can result in a single ticket running for office, students here take electing their representatives seriously.Huge banners and posters displaying the names of candidates are plastered around campus, urging students to vote for their party.Most of the parties are running social media campaigns for the first time this year, which includes an incessant amount of self-promotional postings to the university’s Facebook page.Even without campaigning, students would recognize the names of almost all the candidate’s parties.In India, student organizations are registered and regulated at a national level. Party platforms might vary slightly depending on the university, but values and ideology do not.Some of the biggest student organizations are affiliated with national political parties and associations as well.The National Students Union of India is the student branch of the Indian National Congress party, one of two major political parties in India.Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad is associated with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, an Indian right-wing nationalist organization.Previously allied with the Ambedkar Students’ Association, the Student Front of India will run on an independent ticket this year.In its place, multiple student groups joined together to form a singular ticket called the United Democratic Alliance. The alliance includes the ASA, Bahujan Students’ Front, Dalit Students’ Union, Tribal Students Front, Madiga Students Front and the Telangana Students Association, according to the Times of India. There are enough acronyms to make one’s head spin.Luckily, there are less student names to remember than organizations. In total, five students are running for president for the 2013-14 student union board.Three to four candidates are competing for each of the remaining positions.Polling stations are set up in most major academic buildings. Very specific instructions on how to fill out ballots are posted on the university website.A main campaign issue in this election — and nearly every election, according to my peer tutor — is the quality of dormitories and other amenities on campus. SFI promised to continue opposing the university administration’s decision to sell off campus land to private contractors.Of course, the issue of Telangana statehood plays out on a campus level, too.The Hindu reports students are most likely to vote based on social issues. If UDA wins, it might indicate students are more considered with statehood than rising tuition costs.Regardless of the results, it’s refreshing to see students participating in campus elections.— kmthacke@indiana.eduFollow columnist Kate Thacker on Twitter @katelynthacker.
(10/23/13 3:13am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>I am endlessly fascinated by the diversity of religion in India.India and the United States are both secular, but attitudes about religion differ dramatically between the two nations. It’s hard to imagine getting off work or school in America for any religious holiday that doesn’t coincide with Christian tradition.About 80 percent of Indians identify as Hindu.But in Hyderabad, we’ve had days off for holidays ranging from Eid al-Fitr, the Muslim breaking of fast at the end of Ramadan, to Dussehra, the Hindu holiday celebrating Rama’s victory over Ravana.Like most things I’ve experienced in India, religious traditions are complex, nuanced and influenced by history.Traditionally, Hindu beliefs and practices vary by region. For years, Indian philosophical traditions grew and transformed out of religious texts like the Vedas.A more broad, singular interpretation of Hinduism became useful in creating a national identity during India’s quest for independence.Unlike other major world religions, there is not central text that all Hindus follow. There are many important texts, from the Bhagavad Gita to the Ramayana to the Yoga Sutra, but no singular text holds the same weight as the Bible or Koran does for their respective faiths.Perhaps it’s this inherent multiplicity that shapes the way people view religion in India.I’ve heard Hindus, Christians and Buddhists say all religions are simply different means to the same end.In some regions of India, Jesus and Mary are included as manifestations of gods traditionally associated with Hinduism.Hinduism has an impact on Christianity in India, too.I spent last weekend in Pondicherry, a former French port located in the state of Tamil Nadu.Brightly-colored churches with equally vibrant representations of Christian saints are found throughout the city.I suppose the cathedrals need to compete with the bold, Chola architecture of South Indian temples.People remove their shoes before entering churches, a practice I always associate with visiting Hindu temples.Inside Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Pondicherry, people can pray in pews or at separate alters featuring statues of important figures in Catholicism.Sri Aurobindo Ashram is an integral part of the city’s religious diversity.Founded by the Indian philosopher Aurobindo Ghosh and Mirra Alfassa, a French woman known simply as “The Mother,” the ashram attracts devotees and tourists alike.The ashram promotes integral yoga, a philosophy rooted in Hinduism that advocates a higher state of consciousness to liberate oneself from ignorance.In 1968, 18 years after Aurobindo’s death, The Mother decided to create a community where people could live without politics, religion or national boundaries.Auroville, described as a “project in human unity,” lies just 10 miles outside Pondicherry. Around 2,000 people live in Auroville, most of whom are not Indian.Before taking a trip out to visit and see the Mantrimandir, the central, spherical structure of Auroville where residents meditate, I thought it sounded like a cult.The community tries to dispel this preconception by promoting statements of support from the Indian government, UNESCO and the Dalai Lama.Ultimately, Auroville’s existence is another testament to the religious tolerance I’ve experienced while in India.Whether one chooses to worship a Shiva linga at a 500-year-old temple or meditate on the Divine Consciousness of the universe in a giant golden sphere is a matter of personal preference.— kmthacke@indiana.eduFollow travel columnist Kate Thacker on Twitter @katelynthacker.
(10/16/13 3:39am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>People are quick to cast aside fashion as frivolous or shallow.But in a new place, clothing choices are an interesting way to study culture.In a collectivist society like India, style is less about self-expression and more about status symbols.The more affluent a person is, the more likely he or she is to wear Western-style clothing. Some women choose to wear salwar kameez, or coordinating sets consisting of a long top, loose salwar pants and a dupatta, or scarf.Manual laborers and servant-class women wear ready-made cotton saris, usually brightly patterned but devoid of expensive embroidery.Men from lower classes also wear more traditional Indian clothing. Most don dhotis, an unstitched piece of cloth wrapped around the waist and knotted in place.I’ve noticed people treat me differently based on what I wear.Aunties are more likely to strike up a conversation when I’m wearing a kurta, a standard top for Indian women of all ages and classes. This is especially true if I’m wearing a matching dupatta, or took the time to accessorize correctly.As laundry day approaches and I’m forced to revert to my Western clothing, auto drivers are more likely to stop to see if I need a ride. And, of course, they try to charge me three times the normal rate.I’ve noticed there has been a shift in recent years in young people in the United States wanting to buy less name-brand clothes and more secondhand items.I don’t see that happening anytime soon in India.The information technology boom has created a burgeoning middle class in Hyderabad and other cities around the country.Huge stores selling Western brands including Puma and Adidas can be found in Hi-Tech City and Banjara Hills.Inorbit Mall, celebrating its fourth birthday this week, houses the biggest clothing brands from India, America and the United Kingdom. During the weekends, it is filled with giggling teenagers and families on shopping excursions.If it wasn’t for the metal detectors and security guards waiting to frisk mall patrons at the entrance, it would almost be easy to forget Inorbit is in the middle of India.Even shopping at a Western-style complex can be a cultural negotiation.My love of neutrals clashes with the explosion of color found on most kurtas. I think I’ve managed to create the least-colorful Indian wardrobe possible, although it wasn’t entirely intentional.Yesterday, I emerged from my bedroom for breakfast wearing a black top covered in a gold peacock-feathered print with purple trim, paired with black leggings.“So much black,” my host mom teased upon seeing me.I suppose some things never change.— kmthacke@indiana.eduFollow travel columnist Kate Thacker on Twitter @katelynthacker.
(10/09/13 3:08am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>It’s incredible how close one can get to historically significant monuments and sites in India.Sure, the most popular sites like the Taj Mahal are well-protected and maintained. But there are exponentially more small places left behind to face the elements and human mischief on their own.As a tourist, it’s great to have the freedom to interact with different ruins for a minimum price and with minimum interference.Not all visitors are respectful of history, though. At the beginning of my time in Hyderabad, my program visited the Qutub Shahi Tombs. The tombs and nearby mosques were often covered with graffiti on the inside.During a trip to Varanasi this past weekend, there were many beautiful but crumbling structures to see during a guided walking tour.I assumed this was because it is both the oldest city in India and one of the oldest in the world.In reality, most buildings and temples in Varanasi are only a few hundred years old. Emperors ordered the destruction of Hindu temples and other important religious sites no less than three times.A walking tour of the city revealed the grave of a British officer nestled between urban buildings. The small, gated patch of grass was in good enough condition, but laundry from the surrounding residences hung on its fence to dry.Our tour guide said the problem is a lack of feeling of ownership for the monuments. I suppose it’s understandable. Why would an average citizen care about the final resting place of a foreign officer they never met who died 150 years earlier?Centuries before Portuguese and British colonization, Mughals, Muslims and Aryans, among others, invaded India.While they were sometimes a destructive force, as with Varanasi, many invaders left behind impressive architectural contributions.The forts and tombs in Delhi and Agra are a testament to beautiful Mughal architecture. One of the best-preserved sites we saw during the trip was Qutub Minar and its surrounding monuments in Delhi. Both the minar and mosques have been damaged and reconstructed several times. The entrance is gated, there is tight security and there is no graffiti to be found.It’s no coincidence that Qutub Minar is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Yet another tour guide said UNESCO has jurisdiction over everything from ticket pricing to whether or not tourists can go inside the minar, or tower.Currently no one is allowed inside the minar, but he said it will be open next year — with a coinciding increase to the entry fee.The deteriorating state of many monuments is so different from what seems like a never-ending process that some European nations go through to restore cathedrals and castles.Nonetheless, it’s a beautiful but surreal feeling to explore historical relics without a guard yelling about keeping off the grass.— kmthacke@indiana.eduFollow columnist Kate Thacker on Twitter @katelynthacker.
(09/25/13 3:33am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Signs promoting sustainability fill the medians of major roads in Hyderabad.Translated into Telugu, Hindi and English, they include endearing messages like, “Love trees ... so beautiful ... so useful.”But sometimes, sustainability takes a backseat to religious tradition.Ganesh Chaturthi celebrates the birth of the Hindu god Ganesha. After 10 days of prayer and celebration, idols of the god are immersed into bodies of water on the 11th day.Last week, an estimated 50,000 Ganesha idols were submerged into Hussain Sagar and other lakes in Hyderabad.Our program visited the largest idol in Khairtabad before it was immersed. Standing 59 feet tall, the Ganesha held a 4,200 kilogram laddu in his left hand.That’s more than 9,000 pounds of flour, sugar and clarified butter. No wonder Ganesha’s belly is so round.Luckily, the Indian sweet wasn’t immersed with the idol. My program director said the laddu will be auctioned off for charity.During the festival, daily pujas presented offerings to Ganeshas around the city. Every night, a friend of my host mom would bring up prasad, or blessed sweets, from the idol sponsored by people in our apartment complex.Drums and firecrackers filled our neighborhood with noise after sunset. Young men marched and played behind a truck carrying the Ganesha off to be immersed.Idols are historically made with clay and painted with vegetable dyes, allowing them to dissolve in the water within hours.Yet, like religious celebrations worldwide, Ganesh Chaturthi is becoming increasingly commercialized. Idols made from cheap plaster of Paris are becoming more common. Some paints used to decorate the idols may contain mercury and lead. Plaster can take months to years to fully disintegrate, and toxins from the paint endanger wildlife in the bodies of water.Some organizations encourage symbolic immersion of the idols, sprinkling water on Ganesha’s head and then saving it to use the next year. Others advocate a ban on non-biodegradable idols, as some local governments have already done.Tradition is tradition, and religious symbolism could be lost if the idol isn’t fully immersed.It’s too bad Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, can’t remove the environmental damage caused during his birthday celebration.— kmthacke@indiana.eduFollow travel columnist Kate Thacker on Twitter @katelynthacker.
(09/18/13 2:23am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>I’m starting to worry the “empower women in India” social movement is the “feed the starving African children” trope of our generation.Both issues are important but oversimplified to the point of becoming a fashionable philanthropic endeavor for wealthy Westerners to support. At the risk of sounding tired, I’d like to have my say about violence against girls and women in the wake of the Delhi gang rape trial.The gang rape of a 23-year-old medical student in Delhi last December sparked a media frenzy in India and around the world.On Sept. 10, Judge Yogesh Khanna declared “death for all” four men convicted in the trial.Of the six men accused, one died in jail earlier this year, and another was tried as a juvenile. The remaining four — Pawan Gupta, Vinay Sharma, Mukesh Singh and Akshay Thakur — were given the death sentence by hanging.Charges included gang rape, murder, kidnapping and criminal conspiracy.The death sentence is rare in India but was considered appropriate by the court given the particularly heinous nature of the crime.Various news reports of the incident say the six men were searching for a victim when the woman and her male friend boarded their private bus Dec. 16. When the pair was found on the side of the road, the woman had been beaten and raped so brutally that her intestines were coming out of her body. She died two weeks later at a hospital in Singapore.In the time that followed, six fast-track courts were set up to deal specifically with cases related to violence against women. The Delhi verdict was reached in nine months, compared to the four or five years it may have taken in regular court.Punishment for rapists increased to a life sentence in prison or the death penalty if the victim dies. The minimum sentence for gang rape increased to 20 years in prison.The crime these men committed was horrific and the woman’s family deserves justice, but it’s hard to see how this trial will help other victims.In India, many victims are from low-income families or socially excluded groups.Most rape cases aren’t committed by strangers on a bus, but by acquaintances. Women who know their rapists are often forced to remain silent because of familial or societal pressure.Those willing to come forward may face police harassment, humiliation or refusal to help them file a First Information Report. An FIR is necessary before police can investigate a case and begin the criminal justice process.Even if the case does go to trial, the Business Standard reports a mere 25 to 35 percent conviction rate in rape cases, though this varies by state.The average person can’t combat police corruption or improve the Indian court system. However, he or she can improve the way women are viewed and treated in his or her community.Now that the publicity has died down, it’s time to address one of the root causes in most cases of rape and sexual assault — the low societal value placed on girls and women.This isn’t an issue specific to India, either. One in five women in the U.S. will be sexually assaulted during her life, according to a survey conducted by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control. Victim-blaming is as pervasive in America as it is in India.Stricter sentencing for rapists won’t stop violence against girls and women in India or anywhere else in the world. Teaching respect for women will.— kmthacke@indiana.edu. Follow columnist Kate Thacker on Twitter @katelynthacker.
(09/04/13 4:10am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Getting around Hyderabad can be incredibly fun or incredibly frustrating, depending on the day. Some mornings a shared auto will serendipitously appear right as I reach the main road, waiting to whisk me off to campus. Other days an endless stream of vehicles will pass by, already packed with kids going to school and people commuting to work. When 14 passengers have already staked out spaces for themselves in the small white vans, not even my five-foot self can manage to fit in.Three people manage to pile on to one motorcycle or scooter. I’ve seen as many as 12 people squeeze into a direct auto, intended to seat three people plus the driver. At night, some autos turn on flashing interior lights and blast Bollywood music to entice suckers like me. One driver, who looked like he couldn’t be older than 18, played Justin Beiber remixes and other popular American songs from 2010 as he drove my friends and I home from dinner one evening.Unfortunately, he was so distracted by the music that we almost drove into oncoming traffic. Entertainment is a trade-off for safe driving, I suppose.The most economical way to get around Hyderabad, but arguably the most time-consuming and stressful, is by bus.The 216 bus takes me the 17 kilometers from my internship in Lakdikapul to Gachibowli for only 12 rupees. At the current exchange rate, that’s 18 US cents.It beats paying for an expensive auto, but it will likely be standing room only for part or the entire ride.I’m always thankful for the ladies section, found at the front of every bus and in specially-designated compartments on MMTS trains.Before coming to India, I would have scoffed at the idea of a section especially reserved for women. At the same time, former me couldn’t have imagined how packed a Hyderabad bus can be at 6 p.m. on a Friday. There’s something to be said about the feeling of security that comes from having a mother and her baby in your personal space instead of a male stranger.Long rides on public transportation create opportunities for talking to locals.Most recently, a girl around my age sat next to me and started a conversation with the usual question, “Where are you from?” My Hindi vocabulary was too small to carry on for more than a few sentences, but she smiled and told me she likes practicing her English. The exchange brightened an otherwise monotonous ride on a very hot, very crowded bus. I’ll choose a nice conversation over a breezy auto ride any day.Americans could learn a little something about ride sharing and using public transportation. Considering nearly 7 million people live in Hyderabad, the traffic isn’t so bad.— kmthacke@indiana.edu. Follow travel columnist Kate Thacker on Twitter @katelynthacker.
(08/27/13 9:52pm)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Living abroad has forced me to become more flexible.It’s a welcome change from my meticulously-scheduled days at IU.Time is a fluid concept. Classes and plans are often cancelled on short notice. Our program organized a weekend trip to Hampi set to depart Aug. 14, the night before India’s Independence Day. Located in Karnataka, India, Hampi is famous for its beautiful Virupaksha Temple and ruins from former empires.But ongoing political unrest in Andhra Pradesh posed a security threat to the train we would take to get there, and our trip was cancelled just a few days before we were supposed to leave.A briefing on local politics may be warranted here. The state of Andhra Pradesh is divided into three regions — Telangana, Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra. In June, the government approved the decision to make Telangana India’s 29th state. The Andhra Pradesh legislature still needs to draft a resolution to begin the lawmaking process, but an approved bill could establish the separate state by next year.Some students at University of Hyderabad celebrated the news by parading around campus, playing drums and interrupting classes with shouts of “Jai Telangana,” or “Victory to Telangana.” But most Hyderabadis I’ve discussed the issue with expressed sadness about the division of Andhra Pradesh. While the Telangana movement argues other regions are taking jobs and resources from Telugu people, the state’s capital is home to many businesses and real estate investments. People also have family members who live in other regions of Andhra Pradesh.The fact that Hyderabad will serve as a dual capital for Telangana and what remains of Andhra Pradesh only complicates the issue further.In order to avoid potential conflicts, a few friends and I decided to take the opportunity to leave South India entirely and go to Delhi.My newfound spontaneity lead to booking a flight up north less than 48 hours before the departure time.We arrived in Delhi Wednesday afternoon and spent the next four days exploring Old and New Delhi, and visiting big tourist attractions like the Red Fort and Humayun’s Tomb as well as smaller neighborhoods.If you ever find yourself in Delhi, take a tour of Hazrat Nizamuddin Basti to learn about Sufism or grab lunch in Majnu ka Tilla, a Tibetan colony. We caught a train at 4:40 a.m. Thursday morning to take us to Agra. Travelling sleeper class where three cots are stacked on either side of a small carriage was an experience I was glad to have once.Seeing the Taj Mahal in person was worth the uncomfortable ride. The Mughals had great taste in architecture.But Chandni Chowk was the highlight of our time in Delhi. Not for the claustrophobic personality, the market was packed with vendors, shoppers and rickshaw wallahs. We spent hours exploring the jewelry stands, and I bought way too much tea and masala. A weekend in the nation’s capital made me appreciate the relative calmness of Hyderabad. It feels good to be back.