Colored Girl In a Strange Land: College Girls, Muslim Wedding & Rock Bands OH MY! (Day 19- 22)

Hello! Namaste! Salaam!

So much has happened in Aligarh. I got to see various health facilities, I visited Aligarh University and got to interact with some of the girls there, I met a group of guys who formed a student rock band and are popular on their campus, I attended a ghazzal concert and attended my first Muslim wedding reception.

So where do I start?

Health

We saw so many babies and I unfortunately
missed the chance to see a woman giving birth.

It is pretty interesting how close non-medical students are allowed to get in hospitals. I appreciate the access. One of our health professors has taken a lot of initiative
and in addition to starting a school there, the
sociology department at
Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) ,

was able to set a program in which males from different backgrounds such as Social Work, Sociology etc. were supervisors for ASHA’s in various villages and help with the upkeep and reporting of health conditions and health
care throughout Aligarh. I was very proud about this initiative.

A newborn we got the chance to see up close

A delivery room (Ideally, the bucket will catch the fluids)

A poster encouraging health check ups
throughout the pregnancy.

Some mothers less than 24 hours after
delivery waiting to be discharged.***

***= Say what??!?! Yes in India, women deliver quick and go back to their daily lives as if nothing happened. As long as everything is fine with both mother and baby, the longest they in the hospital is 24 hours and home they go. This really put things into perspective for me; especially since those who've i've known deliver in the US have to stay in the hospital at least a few days to a week (minimum). Do you think we [the US] over does health care procedures such as this?***

College Girls

We also got the chance to hang out with girls from the Indira Gandhi dorms. They were so excited to see us. They asked for our facebook's and had questions about America. They also showed off their dorms and then…

An painting in response to the Delhi rape case

The artist herself (left)

We saw some of the girls artwork! Talented artists! When I saw their artwork, I looked at it and thought that they were things that would sell for hundreds and thousands of dollars. When we asked one of the girls how much she would sell one of her paintings for, she said 500 rupees. That’s when my mind went… WHAT?!??!?!?! That is the equivalent of 10 dollars. I really hope she gets to reach her full potential.

Other than this experience, (on another day) we got the chance to listen to some of the students sing ghazzals, a poetic form of music and a school rock band sing a few English songs.

Both types of music where amazing!!! They sang Need You by Lady Antebellum so they won me over. Btw, did I mention that the lead singer of the band had a voice similar to the lead singer of Creed and is an amazing artists (he sketches with so much detail).

The assembly at the dorm before we met the girls

This girl was cooking food in her room
because she wasn't feel well and wanted
to make something special.

It was cool seeing how no matter where you go, students are students. We talk about similar topics, have relationships, enjoy music and try to balance life and school work.

Lastly and most fortunately, Our professor’s nephew was getting married and we got the chance to attend the reception. It was beautiful. Although a quiet affair, the loudness and elegance showed through the clothing, food and merriment of the entire event. And I will put pictures of the bride so you can see how gorgeous she is!!!

I have a lot of pictures from the trip I hope you enjoy!