For the last two days I have been snowed down in work. Only yesterday I allowed myself a short (4 hours) stay in town. The destination: one of Bangalore's biggest book stores, Sopna. It was three floors filled with lots of great books, and there was a sale on, so nowI have three more books to carry home. I also got a "Teach yourself Kannada CD, the local language spoken in Karnataka, the state I am in. Now I can recall some of the colures, say how are you, count, read numbers, ask for more tea or if you would like some tea? And so on... I know more Kannada than most of the other people here ironically, as they are from other parts of the country.
Yesterday evening my boss from NIVA, the water research institution I work for back home in Norway, arrived. It was funny speaking Norwegian again, yet alone here about the weather, the cold and the interesting new things that has happened in project since I left. How do I keep up, well I will just do my very best…
Tomorrow we are off to the field: My first meeting with the river, the people and the environment. I cannot wait...The Bellary region is very diverse, and has many different types of scenery. It is meant to be very beautiful.
I hope you are all doing well back home, that life is treating you well and that you are all enjoying life. Keep smiling…
Klem Mai
søndag 27. januar 2008
torsdag 24. januar 2008
Bangalore by night...
Yesterday two of my friends wanted to take me shopping, so we were off to Mahatma Gandhi Road. (I have been to that road before only in Delhi.)It seems like there is an MG road in every city - all in all Gandhi was the father of India, so not to surprising. It was a nice trip as we went to a typical Indian market where I bought a fruit bowl. This place had traditional handy crafts at official prices. No haggling, only fair-priced goods. Lots of nice things: small to extremely big elephants (I want a big one., but maybe not ideal for the plane!!!), goddesses, pashminas, jewelry, sandalwood, it was all there...Will probably go back there again... After getting a nice cup of coffee, some fruits, some cloths, a soap box for my bar of washing powder and some cheap Indian film classics (5 - 7 kr), we went to the 13th Floor. Nice restaurant with a view to die for.. There it was, Bangalore by night, accompanied by the full moon. So beautiful and great food. A must if you ever are in Bangalore.
Now the days are rushing away, the easy start I have had, with spare hours to do whatever I want to, are over. Now it is work, read write, learn understand and ask all the stupid questions I possibly can think of... Learning the language too. That is fun... It will ease off a bit after I will be back from fieldwork. I am leaving next Monday to Shimoga and the Bellary district, where we will be conducting a test of the household survey we have worked on for the last months. This is to tune it, so that we are on the right track and asking the right type of questions, which will result in as unbiased answers as possible. I cannot wait to get out there... Very excited indeed... The trip also starts in Hampi - a beautiful village of old, old ruins, hence the nickname "The City of Ruins". Kannada Hampe derives from Pampa, which is the ancient name for the Tungabhadra river. I will tell more of this when I return..
The mosquitos are attacking me from all angles, so I have to run.. More tomorrow. I am reachable on Skype, for those who has this facility, and I am usally on from around 130 230… Hope every one is good, and enjoy the new pictures…
Cheers,
Mai
Now the days are rushing away, the easy start I have had, with spare hours to do whatever I want to, are over. Now it is work, read write, learn understand and ask all the stupid questions I possibly can think of... Learning the language too. That is fun... It will ease off a bit after I will be back from fieldwork. I am leaving next Monday to Shimoga and the Bellary district, where we will be conducting a test of the household survey we have worked on for the last months. This is to tune it, so that we are on the right track and asking the right type of questions, which will result in as unbiased answers as possible. I cannot wait to get out there... Very excited indeed... The trip also starts in Hampi - a beautiful village of old, old ruins, hence the nickname "The City of Ruins". Kannada Hampe derives from Pampa, which is the ancient name for the Tungabhadra river. I will tell more of this when I return..
The mosquitos are attacking me from all angles, so I have to run.. More tomorrow. I am reachable on Skype, for those who has this facility, and I am usally on from around 130 230… Hope every one is good, and enjoy the new pictures…
Cheers,
Mai
tirsdag 22. januar 2008
The bus and all the beautiful names…
Yesterday was really good. One of the researchers here, my next-door neighbour kindly asked if I wanted to join him on an excursion to a different university - The University of Theology. I accepted, as getting out and about, is fascinating. I asked if it would be a long journey, and he replied that it was kind of far, but acceptable. Starting with a rickshaw outside the gate, we jumped off at the main road and then got on a public bus. My first journey on the bus was a pleasant and long experience. There are reserved seats for women at the front and men at the back of the bus, and separate doors too. Women use the front door to enter and leave, and men use the middle door. This is just the way it is, and it ensures the women a place to sit, I was told.
45 min later we arrived at our stop, after not being able to stop peering out at all the thousands of colourful people outside. Now the hard part began. Now where do we go? The professor is from Bengal and speaks English most of the time, and he has an extremely loud voice, which sometimes seems very offensive to others. This made it hard for him to get what he wanted but eventually after asking about 15 people we found it. Mind you I got it the first time around, but he insisted I was wrong, which I kind just accepted at one point. Strong voice is a bit scary...When we finally arrived, he was 40 minutes late for his meeting, which he could have done over the phone as the lady could not help him at all.
But all in all, the University was one of the prettiest places I have been so far, with a stunning environment and a good mixture of people from all over the world. Very peaceful and tranquil, so defiantly worth the trip...
Heading home we talked about the meaning of names. As I am a visual person I now see what the name means, rather than remembering the names. I have so far met happiness, empowerment, the milky-way, lion, the soft one (Lolita, I recall that one) flower, a thanks to a goddess, and yesterday I met Tunga. She is named after the river I am writing about – the Tungabhadra River. Her father wrote his PHD on the river and thought it was the most beautiful place on earth – so hence the name. I am in love with this tradition and rethinking what I might call my kids…
My stomach is still singing happily and I have made lots of new friends, who are so wonderful and inspirational. The peacefulness is seeping in slowly and the stress from Norway is leaving me alone. Still a bit jetlagged, but that too I hope will ease. Take care and miss you all dearly,
Cheers,
Mai
45 min later we arrived at our stop, after not being able to stop peering out at all the thousands of colourful people outside. Now the hard part began. Now where do we go? The professor is from Bengal and speaks English most of the time, and he has an extremely loud voice, which sometimes seems very offensive to others. This made it hard for him to get what he wanted but eventually after asking about 15 people we found it. Mind you I got it the first time around, but he insisted I was wrong, which I kind just accepted at one point. Strong voice is a bit scary...When we finally arrived, he was 40 minutes late for his meeting, which he could have done over the phone as the lady could not help him at all.
But all in all, the University was one of the prettiest places I have been so far, with a stunning environment and a good mixture of people from all over the world. Very peaceful and tranquil, so defiantly worth the trip...
Heading home we talked about the meaning of names. As I am a visual person I now see what the name means, rather than remembering the names. I have so far met happiness, empowerment, the milky-way, lion, the soft one (Lolita, I recall that one) flower, a thanks to a goddess, and yesterday I met Tunga. She is named after the river I am writing about – the Tungabhadra River. Her father wrote his PHD on the river and thought it was the most beautiful place on earth – so hence the name. I am in love with this tradition and rethinking what I might call my kids…
My stomach is still singing happily and I have made lots of new friends, who are so wonderful and inspirational. The peacefulness is seeping in slowly and the stress from Norway is leaving me alone. Still a bit jetlagged, but that too I hope will ease. Take care and miss you all dearly,
Cheers,
Mai
søndag 20. januar 2008
Harmony...
Today I got up at 7 o’clock to meditate on the roof. People are generally up very early here, so a great need for inner peace and a bit of ME-time. I am not sure if I can call today’s session meditation, but sat still for 30 minutes and relaxed. It is weird how hard it becomes to zone out; when your brain has a million things it would like to remind you of. It does loosen up every part of your body though, and you firmly wake up. I was hassled a bit by nature – as a crow was interrogating this new specimen, me, which had entered its territory. On the rooftops of Delhi the peacocks where everywhere, whilst here, you have small white owls, crows and hawks. A very nice start to the morning…
It is Founders day of ISEC today, as the institution was founded 37 years ago. The governor of Karnataka, former leaders of the board and a broad range of the best Indian academics will come here and celebrate. It is all in English, so I have had an interesting Sunday so far. Professor André Béteille gave a very interesting talk on the current understanding and significance of the cast system. He looked at it from a modern point of view, comparing today’s understanding, with that of the past. His main points were that the practice of the cast system was fading, and that there was a general acceptance for this in many parts of India. The obsession with cast and the very often negative connotations it has, is of the past. According to Béteille the only place which revives this tradition, and thereby retain a rather incorrect picture, is the political arena. By playing the cast card, there party’s popularity at various levels remains. This is unfortunate, but as long as it is a known fact, there are ways of dealing with it. Béteille did not deny that there is still a cast practice going on, but it is loosing its firm grip. As an example he used intermarriages. (One cast marries another cast) Many accept intermarriages, as long as the man is of higher cast than the woman. This is progress and was unthinkable 60 years ago. Another example he used was that there is less bias in the work arena and in the educational system. At this point Béteille asked the audience to think about how some occupations are valued in the US, as well as in other parts of the world? Very interesting indeed… All in all a nice eye opener.
(ISPY is gone again, and I wonder where he is this time… Just don’t jump on me in my sleep.)
I am trying to relax, but the context makes me want to dive into the many books I have found and work, work, work… I will try enjoying the sun whilst reading – a bit of business and pleasure at the same time…
Later,
Klem Mai
It is Founders day of ISEC today, as the institution was founded 37 years ago. The governor of Karnataka, former leaders of the board and a broad range of the best Indian academics will come here and celebrate. It is all in English, so I have had an interesting Sunday so far. Professor André Béteille gave a very interesting talk on the current understanding and significance of the cast system. He looked at it from a modern point of view, comparing today’s understanding, with that of the past. His main points were that the practice of the cast system was fading, and that there was a general acceptance for this in many parts of India. The obsession with cast and the very often negative connotations it has, is of the past. According to Béteille the only place which revives this tradition, and thereby retain a rather incorrect picture, is the political arena. By playing the cast card, there party’s popularity at various levels remains. This is unfortunate, but as long as it is a known fact, there are ways of dealing with it. Béteille did not deny that there is still a cast practice going on, but it is loosing its firm grip. As an example he used intermarriages. (One cast marries another cast) Many accept intermarriages, as long as the man is of higher cast than the woman. This is progress and was unthinkable 60 years ago. Another example he used was that there is less bias in the work arena and in the educational system. At this point Béteille asked the audience to think about how some occupations are valued in the US, as well as in other parts of the world? Very interesting indeed… All in all a nice eye opener.
(ISPY is gone again, and I wonder where he is this time… Just don’t jump on me in my sleep.)
I am trying to relax, but the context makes me want to dive into the many books I have found and work, work, work… I will try enjoying the sun whilst reading – a bit of business and pleasure at the same time…
Later,
Klem Mai
Progress!
Today I have had a day of sighting in Bangalore. Having seen most of the hinduist temples, the Bangalore Palace, the Bangalore State building, and done a bit of shopping, I have been there and done that. I am at campus and talking to the guy who runs the kitchen, who studies here at ISEC and is very open and friendly. In fact most of the people I met are friendly and are slowly starting to chat and say hello, which is very nice. The kitchen guy asked if I had a computer with DVD player, and as I nodded, he was on his way to the rental- shop. Now he will show me all the best films apparently. “Lagaan” was a nice movie on rural village life in north India, and the importance of rain. Very tired now, and the local time is 2300, so think the jetlag is fading…
Cheers,
Mai
Cheers,
Mai
Dazed and Confused…
Exhausted I tried to stay awake but at 9 I guess I was out like a child. Now, I am awake, and have been since 2 o'clock. Soon it will be morning… it is 425 here, and I guess I am jetlagged. Cannot remember that from Delhi. I have to push myself tomorrow. Not sleep until late.
Just watched the film “The Kite Runner ” based on the book by Khaled Hosseini. The intro is absolutely stunning and the rest of the movie is touching. Everyone have to go and see it… It is absolutely beautiful. As I never got to read the book I think, it blew me away. Not sure when it is out…
I have got a roommate, a giant spider that I have named ISPY. (He was not there last time I checked – maybe he is gone…) I am happy, scared and very much overwhelmed by all this. I feel so out of place at same time I am adjusting. Tomorrow I will see Bangalore. My colleagues have arranged for a car to pick me up – which feels awkward, yet I do not know enough Kannada to go anywhere and feel safe I will return. But I am learning. It is just a matter of weeks and I will be fluent, ha ha…
I have met many people today. It will be good to get some friends, someone who can after a while show me the real Bangalore. Trying to slow things down, which is hard when you are used to a busy everyday. I know it will be busier after a while, so nice to relax now.
Feeling sleepy again, maybe because it is 0022 at home… Good night…
Mai
Just watched the film “The Kite Runner ” based on the book by Khaled Hosseini. The intro is absolutely stunning and the rest of the movie is touching. Everyone have to go and see it… It is absolutely beautiful. As I never got to read the book I think, it blew me away. Not sure when it is out…
I have got a roommate, a giant spider that I have named ISPY. (He was not there last time I checked – maybe he is gone…) I am happy, scared and very much overwhelmed by all this. I feel so out of place at same time I am adjusting. Tomorrow I will see Bangalore. My colleagues have arranged for a car to pick me up – which feels awkward, yet I do not know enough Kannada to go anywhere and feel safe I will return. But I am learning. It is just a matter of weeks and I will be fluent, ha ha…
I have met many people today. It will be good to get some friends, someone who can after a while show me the real Bangalore. Trying to slow things down, which is hard when you are used to a busy everyday. I know it will be busier after a while, so nice to relax now.
Feeling sleepy again, maybe because it is 0022 at home… Good night…
Mai
fredag 18. januar 2008
Daylight….
After just having managed to unpack, there was a knock on my door and three smiling faces greeted me; Lenin, Manasi and Leetha. What a pleasant surprise – I had just dressed so grabbed the keys and embarked on a nice tour around campus. A little oases indeed. Lush and green.
I have now had my first cup of chai tea, a introduction to some of the staff at ISEC and had a quick tour outside the gates in the local shops. Still feeling a bit tired and drained I will try to rest today. In an hour I will have my first meal, which will do me good. I was told that the name of this area Nagarbhavi means the Well of Snakes, and that there are snakes here, so will have to watch out. Manasi has worked here for three years, but has only seen a snake once. I will let you know if I see one. A different everyday life indeed.
The food was so tasty and so I can get used this. More tasty than the Delhi food - so not worried about that.
Today is the founders day of ISEC, so everyone is out celebrating and by that I mean playing sports. Funny introduction. Will go to the shops now to get some fruit and light snacks. 5 hours until the next meal...
Cheers,
Mai
I have now had my first cup of chai tea, a introduction to some of the staff at ISEC and had a quick tour outside the gates in the local shops. Still feeling a bit tired and drained I will try to rest today. In an hour I will have my first meal, which will do me good. I was told that the name of this area Nagarbhavi means the Well of Snakes, and that there are snakes here, so will have to watch out. Manasi has worked here for three years, but has only seen a snake once. I will let you know if I see one. A different everyday life indeed.
The food was so tasty and so I can get used this. More tasty than the Delhi food - so not worried about that.
Today is the founders day of ISEC, so everyone is out celebrating and by that I mean playing sports. Funny introduction. Will go to the shops now to get some fruit and light snacks. 5 hours until the next meal...
Cheers,
Mai
I am here….
Well I have arrived after 8 hours on the plane from Frankfurt. The plane ride was very nice, and the food delicious. Slept the first hours then watched a nice on Indian movie – “Chak Dai India”. The customs was not a problem, but the baggage took forever. “Funnily” the baggage belt I was waiting at stopped before my bag had arrived – but realizing that approx 100 other passengers had not received their bags either, I was relieved to find a second conveyor belt from Frankfurt. I got my bag – and now all I had to do was find Mr. Raghavendra with a sign with my name on it. He was outside and had been waiting for an hour, but said that was normal. “So this is Bangalore,” I thought, staring into a large palm tree and suddenly a bat flew over my head.
I was not sure what to expect, so the coldish weather at 2 o'clock in the morning took me a little by surprise. Secondly, whilst driving, I was shocked to see that there was no one around. I have until now seen 50 people - and that is after a drive across Bangalore for half an hour. This is a city with 6.5 million people -
I have seen no holy cows walking around, like in Delhi, but lots of stray dogs. They seem to be everywhere.
The room is nice, and as the campus is huge and very safe (large gate with security man) I look forward to see the site at daylight. Goodnight and will show you more tomorrow…
Mai
I was not sure what to expect, so the coldish weather at 2 o'clock in the morning took me a little by surprise. Secondly, whilst driving, I was shocked to see that there was no one around. I have until now seen 50 people - and that is after a drive across Bangalore for half an hour. This is a city with 6.5 million people -
I have seen no holy cows walking around, like in Delhi, but lots of stray dogs. They seem to be everywhere.
The room is nice, and as the campus is huge and very safe (large gate with security man) I look forward to see the site at daylight. Goodnight and will show you more tomorrow…
Mai
tirsdag 15. januar 2008
Over the moon...
Today I have felt my new "normal" hart rate since the break of dawn. I am nervous in, I guess, a healthy way... New Years seems like yesterday, whilst tomorrow is already the 16th and my last night in my own bed in a while... Hm... Wonder if I will sleep well.
On Thursday I’ll be up at 4 to catch the first train out to Gardemoen - and then I am on my way to Bangalore. How incredible lucky I am to be able to do these travels. I will make sure to share my adventures and learning’s with you all....
Cheers,
Mai
On Thursday I’ll be up at 4 to catch the first train out to Gardemoen - and then I am on my way to Bangalore. How incredible lucky I am to be able to do these travels. I will make sure to share my adventures and learning’s with you all....
Cheers,
Mai
lørdag 12. januar 2008
Bangalore, here I come....
First stop on Thursday will be the capital of the state Karnataka, Bangalore. It holds an estimated 6.5 million people and is a today referred to as the "Silicon valley" of India. This because of its huge business activity with the latest technology. As telephone lines were laid to help co-ordinate anti-plague operations in 1898, it continued to be at the forefront of technology and became the first city in India to have electricity, (1906) powered by the hydroelectric plant situated in Shivanasamudra.
I will be staying at ISEC - Institute for Social and Economic Change. (http://www.isec.ac.in/) one of the main institutions involved in STRIVER in India. I will post some pictures of the place after I have settled in...
I am very excited, as I will be exposed to such a different everyday life for the next 2 and a half months. A butterfly colony is settling in my stomach for sure... Lets see what awaits me...
sari-hoog-biTT-banni - okay, I got to go now...
Cheers,
Mai
I will be staying at ISEC - Institute for Social and Economic Change. (http://www.isec.ac.in/) one of the main institutions involved in STRIVER in India. I will post some pictures of the place after I have settled in...
I am very excited, as I will be exposed to such a different everyday life for the next 2 and a half months. A butterfly colony is settling in my stomach for sure... Lets see what awaits me...
sari-hoog-biTT-banni - okay, I got to go now...
Cheers,
Mai
onsdag 2. januar 2008
This feeling inside!!!!! 15 days to departure...
Everything is under control or is it?
I am happy that 2008 starts of with only 2 weeks in my native country, Norway and then I am of to see what India, or more precisely Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and their realms for two and a half months. My first proper field trip - and probably not my last..
As a Master Student at SUM in Oslo (www.sum.uio.no) India became the country I was determined to write about, after discovering how the public force and later the stately force struggled against Coca Cola i Kerala - ending with a total ban of Coke for over a year. This because of Coke's intrusiveness, over usage, pollution and a general lack respect and understanding for the precious resource of life - water, and the consequences this all had in the local communities (http://www.indiaresource.org/index.html.)
To me India always seemed to be a country representing a unique way of life, and in some parts more harmonious and at peace with nature, maybe even more than my own country - Norway. Yet one cannot even begin to compare the two. Norway with its mere 5 million inhabitants, far from comparable with the second largest nation in the world - 1.3 billion (or some say less, some claims there to be more) Also India ranked at 128th place in the latest UNDP Human Development Rapport, whilst Norway ranked as number 2. Hmmm... When I was in India the first time, I used these three words to best describe the feeling inside: Colorfulness, Diversity and Optimism... I wonder if I would us the same three words next time? I want to understand this country - dig deeper into its reality....and of I go in 15 days...
Since India is renowned for leapfrogging the most disastrous steps of industrialization and booming away with technology and interesting local solutions to local problems, it looks to me like a progressing country. Also labeled as the worlds largest democracy - I surely want to find out what kind of democracy one encounters and how this is implemented. HOW does one mange to hear everyone and take the diversity's into account?
To narrow it all down - my topic of interests is WATER. Yes, water and its complexity... Management of water to sum it up - and I want to to find out if end-users are being heard in the management process of water. How do the end-users manage to affect the management process? How do their voice shine through in the bigger picture?
I have landed a dream role in the EU-funded project; STRIVER (www.striver.no), a project concentrating on creating a better understanding of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), the "best" method for ensuring a holistic management process, as the main focus is on local stakeholder participation and interaction, communication amongst all sectors. Working for the Norwegian Institute for water research NIVA (www.niva.no) I will be their arm in field... Wonder how far it stretches, but sure am willing to give it a serious try...
I could go on, but this is meant to be the teaser, and not the entire plot of my thesis... I will try to update this blog as regularly as nature allows me to, and surely let you in on the beauty reality will allow me to encounter on my mission...
It is soon my own reality. I wonder if I can get underneath the surface at all...
Cheers,
Mai
I am happy that 2008 starts of with only 2 weeks in my native country, Norway and then I am of to see what India, or more precisely Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, and their realms for two and a half months. My first proper field trip - and probably not my last..
As a Master Student at SUM in Oslo (www.sum.uio.no) India became the country I was determined to write about, after discovering how the public force and later the stately force struggled against Coca Cola i Kerala - ending with a total ban of Coke for over a year. This because of Coke's intrusiveness, over usage, pollution and a general lack respect and understanding for the precious resource of life - water, and the consequences this all had in the local communities (http://www.indiaresource.org/index.html.)
To me India always seemed to be a country representing a unique way of life, and in some parts more harmonious and at peace with nature, maybe even more than my own country - Norway. Yet one cannot even begin to compare the two. Norway with its mere 5 million inhabitants, far from comparable with the second largest nation in the world - 1.3 billion (or some say less, some claims there to be more) Also India ranked at 128th place in the latest UNDP Human Development Rapport, whilst Norway ranked as number 2. Hmmm... When I was in India the first time, I used these three words to best describe the feeling inside: Colorfulness, Diversity and Optimism... I wonder if I would us the same three words next time? I want to understand this country - dig deeper into its reality....and of I go in 15 days...
Since India is renowned for leapfrogging the most disastrous steps of industrialization and booming away with technology and interesting local solutions to local problems, it looks to me like a progressing country. Also labeled as the worlds largest democracy - I surely want to find out what kind of democracy one encounters and how this is implemented. HOW does one mange to hear everyone and take the diversity's into account?
To narrow it all down - my topic of interests is WATER. Yes, water and its complexity... Management of water to sum it up - and I want to to find out if end-users are being heard in the management process of water. How do the end-users manage to affect the management process? How do their voice shine through in the bigger picture?
I have landed a dream role in the EU-funded project; STRIVER (www.striver.no), a project concentrating on creating a better understanding of Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM), the "best" method for ensuring a holistic management process, as the main focus is on local stakeholder participation and interaction, communication amongst all sectors. Working for the Norwegian Institute for water research NIVA (www.niva.no) I will be their arm in field... Wonder how far it stretches, but sure am willing to give it a serious try...
I could go on, but this is meant to be the teaser, and not the entire plot of my thesis... I will try to update this blog as regularly as nature allows me to, and surely let you in on the beauty reality will allow me to encounter on my mission...
It is soon my own reality. I wonder if I can get underneath the surface at all...
Cheers,
Mai
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