Sunday, February 3, 2008

Sunday, February 3, 2008:
This morning we arrived in Rourkela around 9:00 and we greeted with the usual group of Rotarians and floral bouquets. Next out hosts took us to their homes were for breakfast and a chance to shower. The overnight train trips and the constant packing up are wearing on us.

Rourkela has a very large steel plant but due to security reasons we were not able to tour the plant. Its presence is very noticeable throughout the city with a number of signs by the Steel Plant encouraging safe driving conditions and a clean city. I saw a number of signs about not using plastic. My host said the plastic bags are not biodegradable and with all the garbage this has become a problem.

After breakfast we were all taken by our hosts to the largest statue of the monkey god, Hunaman. It seemed to be a popular spot, surrounded by other temples and carts with a variety of food and souvenirs to purchase. While we were there we had a number of photo opportunities—we are still surprised how much our hosts and Rotarians love to take photo after photo—or as say here “snap”. We also saw a wedding ceremony and Molly and Tom joined in the dancing for a little bit—much to the enjoyment of all.

The next stop was by the river where there was a site for cremation and also numerous places for bathing and washing clothes. We sat on the steps and watched some of the women washing clothes by hand and were very grateful for our modern washing machines and dryers that we are so used to in the states.

Our next stop was lunch in the garden of a hotel—it was a very nice setting and we are beginning to get used to the Indian food. We are still not used to our host’s eagerness and insistence that we try all the food and take more—but we are learning that it is the Indian’s way of being a good host.

After lunch we were taken to a slum where an Interact group has started a project for the young beggars by the railway station. The slum is right next to the train and a number of children are beggars and also on drugs. We did experience the beggars at the train station, and it is very uncomfortable having small children, dressed in rags petting our feet and imploring us for some money with their big soulful eyes. The project takes the youth into a shelter for a month or two and provides food, shelter and education. The pull for the children to help support their families with begging is strong so it is difficult to keep the children at the shelter. After a month or two at the shelter some go to a boarding school near to Rourkela where some have been quite successful in their studies. The poverty and need here in India is so great, and there are a number of intricate problems with the poverty that are not so easy to correct. I admire young interact and Rotaract clubs for taking on such projects, but sometimes I wonder if it is just a drop in the bucket. I guess it is better to do something—and sometimes these grass roots efforts and blossom.

Some of the group went on top of a hill to view the city and I think see another temple, but my hosts recognized that I was quite tired and took me back to their home. They had internet access (although it was extremely slow) so I was able to check some email, and reorganize my suitcase again—it seems to be a daily routine. I think we are all counting the days until we get to do some laundry.

In the evening we attended a joint Rotary meeting, gave our presentation, exchanged banners, received more bouquets and of course took many photos. We also were treated to some tribal dances and dinner. By 10:00 we were all very ready for bed—and knew that the next morning we had to pack to head for the next city. We certainly are becoming more sympathetic to those who travel a lot, and are hounded by the paparazzi.