Delhi

So, there’s a lot to write and not so much time.  We’ve had two jam-packed days since we arrived in Delhi.  We got off with a bang on Friday night, July 2, 2010 when the United States-India Educational Foundation threw us a Dinner Reception at the Fulbright House.  Dignitaries, Indian educators and fellow Fulbright-Hays scholars were invited to attend.  The Cultural Attaché of the United States to India introduced us, and each of us had to say hello.  Although I felt a little intimidated at first, I must say that I truly felt an energy of sincere welcome.

So much has already happened, but I’ll try to do “My top 3 to 5 favorites” based on how busy we are on any given day(s). 

                                                        Top 3 – 5 Highlights

The Centre for Cultural Resources and Training (CCRT) has done an exceptional job of providing us with incredible speakers every day that we’ve been here.  They have all been so outstanding, but I especially enjoyed a lecture given by Professor Choudhury on the Ancient Indian System of Education.   His presentation reminded me why I became a teacher to begin with.  With the current trend in Florida of testing and test results, we sometimes forget that one of our central responsibilities as educators is to empower students to become the best that they can be, academically, emotionally and psychologically. We need to cultivate in them the ability to construct meaning and knowledge, for themselves, not just focus on rote memorization or basic skills attainment.

Next, walking (running) through Old Delhi.  I felt as if we were in a madcap caper, with Benny Hill music in the background.  My colleague, Elizabeth Chapman caught it all on video.  Click on the link below to see.  It will appear on her posting for July 4.  Just look for a little video screen.  That will show you what I'm talking about. Imagine thousands of people on narrow, cobblestone streets.  Some are walking, some are on bicycles, some are on scooters, some are pushing carts loaded with merchandise and other are simply shopping.  It’s nuts!  Now imagine 17 people, 15 of us and our 2 guides making our way through that in single file!!! Crazy, exhilarating, hilarious, scary fun!


http://mschapmanstriptoindia.blogspot.com/2010/07/old-delhi-in-which-ms-chapman-faces.html

Another awesome part of these days has been our visits to Humayun’s Tomb and Qutab Minar.  Humayun’s tomb is a precursor to the Taj Mahal.  It is a mausoleum that was built in 1565 AD in honor of Emperor Humayun by his widow, Bega Begam.  The other incredible sight we saw was Qutab Minar, built in 1193.  I won’t go into the history of either one, but I’ve included pictures on the Flicker Photostream so that you can see how stunning and ancient these monuments are. Click below for information about these two incredible sights.

Qutab Minar: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qutb_Minar

Humayun's Tomb: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humayun%27s_Tomb

Well, it’s getting late and tomorrow, we visit our first schools.