INDIA EXPERIENCE: Realization of a dream
Tuesday, July 31, 2001
Our main activity was to visit Weblokam office.
Mrs. Radhika, one of the sub-editors coordinated the panel discussion on Women's
issues in Kerala.
Weblokam.com is the only Malayalam language Daily newspaper exclusively published through the web page.
Ms. Sreedevi Kartha, the sub-editor, gave us an excellent overview of the status of women in Kerala. Mr. Sasi Mohan, the editor moderated the session. Mr. Sasi Mohan and his staff offered us a traditional Kerala snack of Tapioca, Vazhakkappam (fried banana) and tea. We got an opportunity to interact with the panel members on one to one basis.
For lunch we visited a new vegetarian restaurant known as Amma. The main delicacy here was Dosa. From here some of us went to the libraries and others to field agencies.
"It is obvious to me that living with the mentality of an Indian comes at the expense of the Western conception of autonomy. This mutated idea of freedom seems to misconstrue many of the virtues of Indian culture."
Unnikrishnan
"Our
visit to the Malayalam web based newspaper Weblokam.com was pretty good. We
learned that it is the largest Malayalam news website."
"The students of Loyola and St. Ignatius colleges had a prayer service that
was very religious. We got a chance to meet some more people."
Kristin Burney
"We went to a very lively debate in the morning. It revolved around suppression and oppression of women here in Kerala and throughout the globe. I was pleased to meet the men and women we discussed with. They were open-minded and understanding towards our point of view. We had snacks there and then went for lunch. The food at midday was delicious, and we were allowed into the kitchen to see how the food was prepared (it smelled great). With Dr. Nair to my palmist appointment. It was a very intense and self realizing experience, words are insufficient to explain my feelings of openness and gratitude for Mr. Ramanan Nair. He is an excellent teacher."
Elise Karberg
"This was a great experience. With an exchange of thoughts. It was a vibrant and open discussion. I appreciate the honesty of the staff and their time spend with us valued."
Kerrian Walters
"Every women should have ... enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own even if she never wants to or needs to ..."
"Lunch at Amma was good ! Feast of Ignatius of Loyola - reminder to honor those who helped build foundation of faith."
Barbara Maxwell
"It was very informative to speak about gender issues with people who worked at a Malayalam web based newspaper. We traded constructive criticism regarding the role and treatment of women in our societies. Being the lone male student in the group, I felt it my responsibility to represent the minority."
Vincent Shoham
"At Weblokam we discussed issues of freedom and equality relating to women."
Erin Bracken
"Weblokam was an interesting visit. It was nice to have a debate about women's issues. Everybody had a different definition of freedom."
Gretchen Martin
"The discussion we had with Kerala baffled, and intrigued me all at once. How different are our respective views regarding women's rights. It gave me a better perspective towards understanding the seriousness of this universal problem. "
Sarah M Gallop
"Today I experienced more of the unifying complexities of Kerala culture. At Loyola College, I witnessed many devoted Indian Catholics who reserved the day in remembrance of St. Ignatius of Loyola. In this land abundant with Hindus, its comforting to see diverse religions existing without friction."
Jarrod D Gray
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