India - The Conclusion

In conclusion, the two weeks in India was most informative and I think I came home at least five pounds lighter.  Not my luggage, though.  I purchased a sari for my daughter who laughed at it and happily I will keep it for myself.  I made some wonderful new friends and look forward to next year’s trip.  No trip will ever equal this one thanks to the work of both Professors Grossman and Rao.  Jet lag from India was unbelievable.  I had no idea I would be so affected.  I fell asleep and stayed asleep for unbelievable periods of time for days however, I returned to the needs of my children and the fact that the Spring Session began just days after.  Even the (formerly) live Christmas tree needed to be removed from the living room.  I have lived abroad (in Europe) but this culture, history, foods and habits makes one see the world in different ways.  The use of human touch was different.  The food was different.   While I have had bouts in my life of vegetarianism, Mr. Ranganath of Grundfos certainly made meat eating sound very different when he spoke about an excursion to Subway that cost him so much more money to purchase a sandwich because it had cold cuts in it.  There is no way that I will ever recover from the transportation of India partly because of the amount of people that require some way to get from point A to B.    Seeing the smiling faces of people living and working together in small communities with little services and homes that we could fit into some of our kitchens, certainly make you appreciate the conveniences of the average American home.  All in all, one has to wonder if we are tooooooo pampered and if so, what will become of us and our society. 

India - Krushi Orphanage

I wish I had photos of the orphanage in Hyderabad called Krushi.  This home was started by the Alumni of Professore Rao's high school, known as Sainik School, Korukonda, Andhra Pradesh, after having some measure of success in their own lives.  I had many challenges with my camera and the requirement for batteries during my two weeks in India.  I am fortunate to say that I came home with over 350 photos, but sadly none of this day.  As our livery entered the compound, a swarm of SpongeBob Squarepants shirt wearing little boys met us with wide smiles.  When asked if they knew the character on their shirts, all smiled and responded negatively.   No Nickelodeon?  A smile from me (really a yellow sponge living in a pineapple under the sea?).    Seems the shirts were a donation to the school.  On this particular day roll call included 92 boys ranging in age from 5 up.  The newest boy had walked across the state and then was picked up at a local train station.  At lunch time, he could not get enough of the yellow rice and vegetables on his plate.  This boy did not speak the language of the others (or us, English).   The children enjoyed the members of our group that ran the soccer ball around the field with them.  A tour showed us how the facilities were self-sustaining with a reverse osmosis treatment facility.  We saw the bunk beds set in a military fashion inside of large rooms by age and met the residential help.  The home had hoped to expand and was in need of additional funds.  In a jaw dropping moment, Professor Rao pledged to assist with this goal and also provided the lunch meal that day.  The one thing that truly struck me was the little library of less than three shelves of books for the children to read at their leisure.  I have always been an advocate of reading with my own children, nieces and nephews and I live in the town having the first public library (benefactor Benjamin Franklin).  It is my future goal to assemble additional reading materials and send it to Krushi for these wide-eyed children that will hopefully have a brighter future thanks to Dr. Rao and his classmates. 

While touring the various businesses, the subject of salaries came up.  There was no discussion on any differences between men and women but rather the hours that a woman worked as opposed to a man who was able to work at any hour.  Call center employees started at approximately $10,000 USD per year while the skilled workers (university educated) such as software developers/engineers, etc. started at approximately $70,000.  Those working at the sewing factories were making $100 USD per month.  Employers spoke on the benefits that there were available to their employees including additional training programs and certifications at employer expense, cafeterias, wellness programs including gyms and fitness trainers and in some cases, housing and transportation. 

India - Celebrity Fashions International Ltd

Celebrity Fashions International Limited is a shop sewing shirts for Abercrombie & Fitch, Timberland and Indian Terrain (an Indian brand of clothing).  This shop had a goal that day of putting together four hundred shirts.  During our briefing, the managers gave information on cotton grown in India, harvesting and some history of cotton in India and Pakistan.  We started our tour in another building where fabric was rolled out and cut with precision.  From there the pieces were brought into the main building, assembled and processed for shipment.   As we entered the gates, there was a sign saying that only those over the age of eighteen years would be considered for employment.  Both men and women worked in these buildings with mostly women using sewing machines.  There was signage saying that all overtime was voluntary.  It was explained to the group that the business ran six days a week with an average work day of eight hours.  There were several buses in the backyard that the managers explained were for transporting employees to work.  We were told that the average time it took an employee to come to work was thirty miles or one hour of travel.  This site employed 1400 employees.  There was a lot of signage throughout this building with an employee bulletin board in the front explaining HR policies, etc.   

We were not shown any recreation at this site to garner camaraderie amongst the employees.  There was no visit to a break room or cafeteria.  The average employee was making $100 USD per month.  The price tag being snapped into the fabric of an Abercrombie & Fitch man’s shirt showed $78.50 (USD).   Most surprising as we departed was the sight of all of the women’s handbags on shelves outside of the building (inside the gates of the shops but untended by any of the security guards).

India - Grundfos

Grundfos was the business in Chennai that we visited on January 11th.  Managing Director Ranganath N.K. sat with us for quite awhile discussing his views on the differences between modern day India and the United States.  Mr. Ranganath is a constant visitor to America.  Grundfos is a Danish company having started in 1977.  The green building of Grundfos in Chennai has garnered awards for its use and design. It opened during 2005.   Mr. Ranganath spoke on the social responsibility of creating a pump that was energy efficient therefore it was natural that they would inhabit a building that would be healthy and happy for its employees to work in and that would not be harmful to the environment.  Grundfos creates pumps for domestic waste water applications.  We were shown how discarded wood had been turned into office furniture for use in the building.  Mr. Ranganath opined that he did not believe that American/Indian abilities were so different but rather there are cultural differences which require consideration in the workplace.  In wrapping up his visit, Mr. Ranganath spoke on the unnecessary violence in the United States saying it was more challenging to get a driver’s license than a gun permit.  He also gave an example of a senseless practice when he tried to turn in a rental car earlier than the contracted date.  Even though he was willing to pay the difference in the contract, the rental company refused to allow return of the car.  His personal opinions on U.S. policies were insightful and gave reason to consider an outsider’s view.   Generously we had a tour of the plant and enjoyed lunch in the company lunchroom.    

India - Education

Education in India was right in front of our face every day.  The children go to school six days out of the week wearing uniforms.  We saw many field trips of these children while touring historic sites in their nice orderly rows looking intently at us and the exhibitions.   Even the most rural village we toured near Bangelore had their children going off in their tidy uniforms to school each day.  Higher education is everywhere.  Colleges and universities are springing up to support the needs of India.   We toured Symbiosis Institute of Business Management and had an exchange with faculty and students of the differences in our educational systems.  When asked if the Indian students were contemplating coming to America after receiving diplomas, the students were unanimous in agreeing that there were too many opportunities in their nation to consider leaving for employment reasons.  When touring the businesses discussing employment, many said they would not consider hiring anything but Indian students.   However, these employers discussed the challenges of keeping their skilled employees.  It was not uncommon for another company to offer a better package and without company loyalty, those employees would “jump ship”. 

Shopping in India was a lot of fun for the majority of the group.  There were bazaars featuring gold jewelry, handmade wood items, clothing and other textiles.  Teak was very popular with intricate carvings.  While visiting the owner of Cow Paradise close to the Fireflies Ashram, the owner showed us a beautifully carved teak chair looking out into the garden for the express use of visiting religious monks.  Most shopping was done at locally placed mom and pop operations.  Our first walk outside of the Fireflies Ashram was to the local village where cigarettes were purchased for approximately half a dollar.  This business, like a convenience store, had a few other small items for purchase by villagers.  While I would compare its service to our convenience stores without the volume of inventory it had no welcoming doors, ADA ramp or even a sidewalk outside.  Instead there was only dirt.  To close the business there were pulled down gated doors.  No credit card machines , ATM or parking area.  It was possible to get a Coca Cola or Pepsi but the only decaffeinated Coke I had during the two weeks was the one that came with me which I drank after six days and being chilled in a hotel fridge.  We were always careful to ensure that our water had been boiled or filtered prior to consuming. 

Later we travelled into Bangelore where we went to an area known as their Times Square where saris, scarves and other tourist items were available.  There were lights strung over the congested street.  Trying to cross any street was its own adventure.  In Chennai after taking our train ride to the street bazaar, we got off the bus at a MALL!!!!  It was heaven to sit and have a cup of coffee with a muffin before browsing through the many floors available of multi-national brands and some solely Indian such as Indian Terrain.  (Indian Terrain was a textile company to be visited later in the week.)  McDonald’s with veggie burgers was available in the food court along with Chinese food, Arabian food and a pastry cart (just to name a few).   Currency was always a challenge.  Happily I brought along my calculator which got quite a workout.   While one professor assisted the group with currency exchange, we found it necessary on occasion to use exchange places.  45 rupees equaled the USD during our visit.  Saris were a popular item for purchase by mostly the female students or as a gift for a loved one back home.    Sadly, street vendors and beggars were extremely aggressive.    Even though they were told emphatically no, they would not let up and move on to other targets.  Persistence was their motto.