Groups of girls were singing and dancing playing their instruments. Once again I was invited to play, and so was the principle. It was a great time! I wish videos were not so many megabytes or I would upload them, but Indian internet is much to slow to do so.
After I joined in for the fun for a while it was time to put the instrument down. After I did I was told I had to play a game with the principle. It is a traditional schoolyard game. I have no idea what it is called, but you spin around in a circle until someone gives up! I won!
Last stop:
A village that has been in Mr. and Mrs. Daback’s family for 3 generations.
Lets start from the beginning:
It all started with a large piece of land that Dr. Dabaks great-grandfather owned in the late 1800’s.The land was prime for farming and was a prime location for the growing of rice and lentils. He had several workers who labored everyday to make it a success. They were of lower caste doing the hard labor to earn them a few rupees to feed their family. Comparatively Dr. Daback’s grandfather was a good man who was compassionate and took care of his workers; he even made several visits to check on their progress--often bringing hot foods and gifts. However, with the 1947 liberation of India from the British Dr. Dabaks grandfather lost 98% of his land and was only left with a small unfertile plot. The Act dictated any landlords owning property that had not lived on the land in the past 5 years were to surrender it to the individuals who inhabited it. This Act knows as the foundation act was established to progressively dissolve the caste system. Even with his loss, Dr. Dabak’s father made his son promise him to still make monthly trips out to the village to check in on the villagers and the land. He still brings food, and has kept his promise ever since.
Mid-Blog entry interlude:
The caste system:
From the beginning of my blog and my journey through India I have continually referred to the ‘caste system”. After many conversations with several people I am now ready to explain it to the best of my ability. I hope I get this right. Since I now have many Indian readers, sorry if I mess this up.
In basic terms it is defined social classes. I use the word defined because you only live, work, eat, and even marry within your caste. In the past 100 years several attempts have been made to lessen the seriousness of classifications, but even still, it very much exists. There are primarily five recognized castes:
1. Brahmine
The educated and business class of India. Brahmines are often landlords, business owners and educators. They would be consulted to make any important decisions because they apparently (by way of their social class) have clear, serious and focused minds. Respected as people who are of the highest genetic decent. Diet is usually vegetarian. They can afford the best spices, fruits and vegetables so nothing else is required.
2. Kshtriya
The brave, warrior class of India. Kshtriya were individuals who were called to war and protected the homeland. Kings and royalty were usually Kshtriya. Through years of in-caste marriage and reproduction they were comparatively taller and bulkier than others. Diet was usually non-vegetarian consisting of high fat and protein intake, they could and would eat anything that was digestible (which also explains their stature). Their fitness was considered strong and indestructible.
3. Vaishya
The traders and sellers of India. You could often find those of Vaishya decent selling fabrics, fruit, spices and any other good that could be exchanged for money. Diet was dictated by what kind of goods they sold. If fruits, vegetables and edibles were sold, they usually ate that. Otherwise they ate what they could afford.
4. Shodra
The lower class of India. Scrounging up money in any job they could find, usually hard labor jobs, in the field and on the streets. Most didn’t have consistent employment, but instead searched day-to-day for small paying jobs. Shodras, although of lower class may be the most hard working-- doing anything humanly possible to earn a few rupees. Usually found as rickshaw drivers, cart carriers, shoe repair and shoe shiners, tailors, cleaners, caregivers and cooks. They were and still are at the mercy of the higher classes to earn a living. Diet is scarce and random depending on their income, and whether or not priorities were for food or alcohol and drugs.
5. The untouchables.
The lowest of the low, the mocked, the depressed, and the truly repressed to every extent possible, the untouchables- literally. I wrote of this class in a previous post. (New town, new assignments, a whole new world). Most men and women in this category are ‘rag pickers’/garbage dwellers. They search through rubbish for everything and anything salvageable. However in my opinion, rag pickers are considered lucky compared to the even more decrepit- those who had to clean up and dispose of human waste. Diet was any salvageable foods, and perhaps other morsels they may have been able buy.
At one time people even had certificates of caste. It was common knowledge to only marry, and reproduce with those in your same caste. Once classified, unless with some sort of luck or unreal determination, you and your family remained in a particular caste.
Lucky to be an American
These are the friends that decided they wanted to join me while I slept. It was the biggest spider I have ever seen in my ENTIRE life. I have become very accustomed to the spiders in India, even the odd looking bugs dont creep me out. I have even killed a few spiders and bugs with my hands. I was proud of myself for keeping my cool, but this spider made it all come crashing down. The lizard didnt bother me. I think they are kind of cute. The spider--- not so much.
Another thing I found funny about Indian girls, they are not afraid of spiders but of LIZARDS!!! Apurva said she is terrified of lizards, but not of spiders!
I am sorry, spiders as big as my hand are not okay in my book. Whats even worse? Mrs. Dabak said that in the rainy season they are even bigger! Excuse my language... but HELL NO!
November 16, Wednesday
It was back to the Primary Healthcare center. It was another fun filled assignment. Since the doctor had confidence in me I was to do all the necessary injections and IV insertions. YES!
We talked some more about problems in India and we also talked about the immunization schedule every child born in India would get. It is a long list with very different vaccines than the US.
At birth: Polio (oral administration)
1 month: BCG (Tuberculosis vaccine)
1.5 months: first series of DPT (diphtheria,
pertussis [whooping cough] and tetanus and Hepititis B
2.5 monts: second series of DPT and Hepititis B
3.5 months: third and final of the DPT series
6+ months: third and final of the Hepatitis B series
9 months: Government administered MMR (Measels, Mumps, Rubella)
Privately administered with enough money MMR, Typhoid and influenza
1.5 years: DPT booster
November 17 and 18, Thursday & Friday
Continued lectures from Mr. and Mrs. Dabak. Topics included: Emergency obstetrics and child and maternal heath care in India, fetal membranes throughout pregnancy and embryology. Learning about things that fascinate me makes me miss my Human Physiology classes. Can’t I just be a student forever? Although going to medical school kind of classifies me as that— so lets just get to it!!!
Thursday night I was in for another treat- a birthday party!!!! I am so fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. It was Dada’s friends two sons celebration. A lavish terrace birthday party with many, many children and adults too! Probably near 100+ people. Population explosion has one positive- big time partying!!! It was packed with a buffet, cake and traditional ceremonies.
This is my host family,Dada his wife Manisha and their daughter Chawkolie (it means culture in sanscrit). Such a wonderful family! More pictures of all of us to come soon!!!
I am not exactly what ceremony I participated in, but it involved a red dot on the birthday boy’s forehead, rice, sugar, a gold piece and a candle. It was fun, and I felt very honored to be so welcomed into to true Indian traditions.
I am so fortunate to be at the right place, at the right time. I have been here for two of the biggest holidays of the year (similar to our thanks giving and Christmas) Dushara and Diwali, a pregnancy party, a birthday part AAANNNNNDDDDDD Dr. Dabak’s childhood friends son is getting married, and I was lucky enough to be invited. I can’t wait, and I am sure I will have MUCH to write about in the coming weeks.
I consider myself one lucky lady!
Final thoughts and comments on my week:
I notice that I have a lot of down time in Pune, days are scheduled sporadically and each new day brings new tasks and new people. Sometimes I finish work at 1-2 PM and other times I don’t reach home/ my guesthouse until 4-5 PM. Somedays have 4 surgeries and 3 hours of lecture, somedays are solely observations. I am tired one moment and wide awake others. Reminds me of home! Because of this, my schedule is directly correlated with sleeping. Even before India, one of my favorite hobbies is to nap, which I am now fitting into my schedule often.
Also I can substantiate that I have been out and about exploring enough that I am becoming partially familiar with the area around me. I am noticing specific landmarks that identify how close or how far I am to home. I have learned how to maneuver around the what seems like millions of bikes and what to tell the auto rickshaw so I arrive to my destination complication-free. Another feat throughout which I prevailed—me, the most directionally challenged individual in the whole world is finding her way around a big city! Shelane for the win!
My time in Pune has brought about many new thoughts and feelings. Everyone is just so wonderful here and I am having so much fun. I have a feeling that I am going to miss India when I go home.
Up until the past three weeks my attitude toward India was, ‘I love it here, but I wont be coming back’. Now I am not sure if that still remains true. I have built relationships strong enough to visit again. I have promised attendance to weddings and celebrations that I have formally been invited to. Undoubtedly I have many medical professionals that I have worked with that I plan to keep in touch with. Dr. Gandhi and other individuals have helped shape my career even further, I am forever grateful for this experience. I may (will) require a vacation back to India in the foreseeable future.
I think that is a great note to end with, so for now, this is end of Pune, Pune Pune.
If you noticed this post only stretched through Friday. I spent my weekend in Aurangabad exploring completely by myself, and I had a great time. I have been flying solo since Taylor left, but even so people always surround me. However this challenge I took on solely alone, and quite frankly I dominated the sight seeing, touring and unknown city. Therefore I have decided to dedicate an entire post to my adventures. I am excited to share it with you all!
Keep your eyes peeled for another entry soon! It is going to be a good one!
I will write again soon.
Xoxo,
India and Shelane