Just got back from a quick trip over to RTP, NC..and the
moment I stepped out of RDU to grab a taxi, it hit me…I am fundamentally a different
person from when I left there Jun 20, 2011. I am, and feel free to disagree,
game for anything! Its not just that I am now so deeply and profoundly grateful
to all that I have, even though I had in the past consoled myself at a
superficial level with that theory: a clean house, a green lawn, walkable (even
barefoot!) sidewalks and of course two chic-fil-a’s within 5 minutes of driving
(minus honking..woohoo!), its also the awareness of an almost parallel universe
out there, where surviving, on a day to day basis, is a constant battle. This
holds true for very, very many people in India where almost half (42%) of the
population lives below the poverty line of $1.25 income per day, and also, only
slightly more metaphorically, to the Not-for-profit/Loss-making sector, where
the battle for monetary and labor resources, is almost as aggressive as driving
in Mumbai during rush hour (which I’ve been told-and I strongly concur- is from
7 am to 11 pm, Monday through Sunday!).
Having survived three months in a place, for the first time
in my life, I’m not able to speak the native language, and a surprising
fraction of the population doesn’t speak English, and where my pre-disposition
to a serious directional impairment is magnified, I feel quite empowered and
energized with creating opportunities and options for change in my native
habitat. It is however, ironic, that my actual native habitat, is more closer
to that of India than the US.
Before I left to RTP, I was devoting most of my time to
completing the mid-project status update and my PULSE PDP, which gave me a
chance to sit back and take in the view from half way up the mountain. The
feasibility study has progressed quite well, giving me opportunities to expand
and exercise of set of skills from my regular work at GSK (although, must
sheepishly admit..I do miss my work and team, very much!). I’ve learnt adaptive
and listening skills, practiced influencing and motivational skills (learned
through FLLE, who would’ve thunk!) and found creative ways to accomplish an
objective under resource constraints. On
the other hand, formidable challenges still lay ahead, in collecting data to
fine tune the need within disadvantaged communities here in India, fleshing out
the costs and benefits of establishing logistical capabilities in India and
completing the business plan for DRI’s India strategy for the next five years.
All, very very exciting endeavors with huge potential for impacting many, many
people in this community.
Proud of my newly found skills to faking fluent Hindi,
flagging down a “rick” and bargaining sarees on the sidewalk, I’ve landed in
Mumbai for Take Dho of my PULSE assignment. Wish me Luck!
P.S. The trip to RTP gave me a chance to download iphone
pics over the last couple months..posted below along with captions..which have
been added for convenience due to a sweet southern gentle nudging by several individuals
who shall remain nameless.
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