My mind boggles at who I was pre-departure. I struggle to comprehend everything I have seen, experienced, and done during the last six weeks. It feels naked to be absent from the voices, aroha, and personalities of the other 23 Kiwi students who braved this Indian odyssey with me. How can I describe this trip to people who were not there? How do I show there is so much more to India than the average Kiwi can imagine? How can I prove I am not the person they said goodbye to in January? I will share a tiny drop in the ocean of growth with you by saying one thing I learnt about India, New Zealand, and myself.
What I learned about India is India’s manaakitanga and kotahitanga. Indians gift the shirt off their back to others if they think the other person needs it, even if they only own that shirt. Indians live by the mantra “Atithi Devo Bhava” (“Guest is God”). Examples of this happened throughout the trip. I lost my wallet, phone, and passport many times. Not only were they not stolen, but Indians went out of their way to return them to me. Another example is when Oscar and I stumbled upon a temple in Udaipur. A priest heard our Kiwi accents and took us on a free temple tour to show the hidden art studio his brother works in. We had to beg him to accept our money for the awe-inspiring art they gifted. Every single student has many stories of Indian aroha.
What I learned about Aotearoa is the dangers of institutionalised wealth inequality. We must create political, economic, and social policies that ensure people are not trapped in their socio-economic class. Mumbai’s Dharavi Slum (Asia’s second-largest slum) exists 40 minutes away from the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (worth over NZD 500 million). Some parents can pay for their children to study at top universities without working a job, but others can only afford to feed their family if their toddler sells flowers on the street. I will never forget watching Nadia talk to a five-year-old child selling flowers in Rishikesh. Once Nadia treated him humanely, he became a kid once again. It broke me that he cannot always be a kid. New Zealand must ensure that all 5-year-old children can be kids.
I have learned too many things about myself. I will finish my post with what Gilles (our exceptional Bollywood instructor and guru) told me before he left. He said, “Finn, you have this light that shines from your heart, and the world is better when that light shines brightly. But remember that the world can be a dark and mean place. It will try and dampen that light. It is then that you must think with your heart. The world needs what your heart provides over what your brain thinks”. That is how I have grown. I see the truth that I do best for the world and for myself when I think and act from my heart. My superpower is my heart and the passion that comes from it. It is time for me to lead with my heart.
This blog is long, but I could easily write a book series on the Indian trip’s stories and lessons. The only way to finish is to say a huge THANK YOU!! Thank you to 360 International, the New Zealand government, Victoria University of Wellington, and Education New Zealand for funding this opportunity. Thank you to the 14 Australian students who joined the trip and instantly reached our level of enthusiasm. Thank you to Nick, Meetu, James, Susie, Gilles, and Amaya as this trip would have been impossible without you! Thank you to the rest of my Kiwi students who travelled to India with me!! I love you all so much!!! You are the most unique, caring, and life-changing people I have ever met. It is an honour to call you all my family. Finally, thank you India!!! I have fallen in love with India and the Indian people. I cannot wait to return.
In conclusion, India has successfully been ReImagined!