On the first day of our internships, I faced a 3 hour commute, on local trains, with no knowledge of the language, all alone. It was petrifying. After the first few stops, a young girl, no older than 11 perched herself beside me. She was in tears, begging her mum to stay, despite clearly needing to embark on this journey alone. She honestly reflected how I felt internally. Beautifully encapsulating the catalogue of emotions I have experienced thus far on my Prime Ministers Scholarship journey to India. Excitement, anxiety, curiosity, anticipation, shock, delight the list is truly endless. Her mother locked eyes with me and although we couldn’t communicate in the same language, there was a mutual understanding that I would look out for ‘The Girl On The Train.” My interaction with her mother somewhat resembles the ideology that all will be okay if we look out for one another. And as I moved to launch myself off the train and onto the platform, ready for my first day of work, “The Girl On The Train” squeezed my hand and smiled. I think about her everyday. I carry her with me into all the work that I do.
It has only been one week of work but I feel an immense privilege to be working in a space dedicated to effecting meaningful change, particularly to support women, children, and nomadic tribes. This experience is a rare and invaluable opportunity, and I am determined to make the most of it in every way possible.
Beyond the workplace, everything is different.
The streets are alive with what can only be described as organized chaos—a phenomenon that, though initially overwhelming, reveals an underlying sense of energy and spontaneity. Learning to embrace the unpredictability of everyday life here is building character fast.
Additionally, the dense population in many areas has been eye-opening, locals are utilizing vertical space in ways that would seem inconceivable in less crowded parts of the world. This adaptation serves as a powerful reminder of human resilience and creativity in the face of necessity.
However, this rapidly developing environment also highlights a stark contrast between prosperity and hardship. I have witnessed the juxtaposition of cutting-edge, developed suburbs and industries alongside areas of extreme poverty and devastation. The disparity between these two realities is striking and has been profoundly unsettling. In some areas, the infrastructure is crumbling, and communities are left to contend with the daily challenges of accessing basic necessities such as clean water and healthcare. The contrast between opulence and destitution underscores the pervasive inequality that still exists, and it has reinforced my understanding of the complex relationship between progress and poverty. This inequality is a challenge that demands urgent and sustained attention, and it motivates me to seek solutions that ensure development benefits all people, particularly the most marginalised.
