A  letter from India

Our trip through Rajasthan was quite colorful indeed, across 22 days we traveled through regional and small villages. Some of the places include: Shekhawati Region, Bikaner, and Jodhpur, Mt. Abu, Jaipur, Agra and back into busy Delhi.

Where to start is always challenging when one reflects upon one’s travels to another land. Particularly if it is indeed quite a different culture, with different customs, history of development, political structure and the way everyday lives go on around one, as you pass through.

  In all of India there is a constant collection of color which reflects the everyday goings on.  Markets appear to hold their own distinctive range of clothing, spices, books, food, cooking needs, and everything that can fit onto a cart is displayed.

On a personal level it was the people I encountered across these markets and old villages that appealed to me. Always they wanted to learn as much about me as I wanted to understand their circumstances. Full of happiness, joy and in terms of interactions, generous on spirit.  

There where so many interesting temples, old Forts, winding roads full of folk traveling to markets with their camels , donkeys and sheep, it was indeed quite an a adjustment to arrive back in Yea where I was wondering. Where are those magnificent camels? 

 The early morning starts, around 5.00am gave us an opportunity to experience as much of the day as possible. In fact it was this time to see how the sleeping country emerged into life for another day. I recall the early morning Tea or Chai stops, just great.

On this Northern trip we met and had the experience of being invited to local schools which gave an insight to many barriers that India faces.  Extensive building and manufacturing occurs alongside those struggling communities. It really sharpens ones sense of Social Justice. In fact I can say such experiences of despair alongside major redevelopments of the environment is all around one.  It’s just perhaps, unless I reflect upon my time in Alice, Broome and Hart’s Range that it can be not in ones foreground of reflection.

Before we leave this part of the journey, it can be said that Rajasthan is not mundane as it has abundance of fairs, festivals and generates a curiosity within one. It’s this which in essence helped me understand in some way the mystery of another world.

From Rajasthan we traveled by air for 3hrs to Hyderabad where we greeted warm by Fr. John Vattamattom SVD [CEO-Social Worker] of Sanghamitha. We had the wonderful opportunity to be involved with this Community based organization that works in over 12 villages in the district of Chegunta. These villages have around 750,000 people who live a simply grueling primary production life. The organization works on empowering these communities to find ways to lift themselves out of poverty.

 Significantly, whilst here, we were given Official Status by the Governor of the State to be involved in HIV/Aids Education.  We were distinguished guests on HIV/Aids Day.   We led the villages march to an open air concert at two venues with over 6,000 participants at each. Quite remarkable indeed. 

There also was our time at Vijay Marie Hospital which was based in the slums where the Society of Sisters of Charity provided high quality medical services. The devoted personnel at this hospital are more than just professional folk. They give it their all. Very moving indeed. 

 Two other significant events occurred. We have been given the great honor of addressing students and staff at School of Social Work at Hyderabad. On a personal level, through our involvement with St. Vincent de Paul Society, our Parish at Yea/ Alexandra has established a Twinnings Program.

 Through our funding raising here, we are now able to help St. Thomas parish in providing support to that Parish’s Conferences in the areas of early morning breakfast/reading program for school students and supporting the aged in the villages.

I found my time there to be extraordinarily rich in experience and in many ways gave me a better understanding that people can overcome human fragility.

Martin P Butler