by Travis Andre Felder
Sixteen students from St. John’s University kicked off the New Year
with a tour of India. Although the theme of the study was titled
Mass Communications in India, Professor Basilio Monteiro
coordinated an educational experience with a diverse itinerary that
covered globalization, economical development, politics, religion,
and history as well as sea exploration spanning four different
locations. In a total of 19 days we were submerged into the
colorful fabric of India delving into her exotic cuisine and
architecture. Incredible India, a country of paradox and excellence
is a nation unlike any other. It is a place that overwhelms all
five senses as past present and future is experienced in one moment
full circle.
Our adventure began in New Delhi, where we visited Radio Today
Broadcasting Ltd. There, we met with the CEO of Meow FM famed for
being the first and only radio station in India specifically geared
towards women. It was here that we learned of the rise in radio
listeners, a phenomenon that Indians are taking full advantage of
to heighten the awareness of its 1.1 billion people
In New Dehli participants had also spent time with CNBC TV
station who graciously created an amazing program that introduced
students to the fascinating world of TV broadcasting. We continued
onward to a warm welcome by the Slum Improvement Board which is an
organization that makes education accessible to disadvantaged
youth. Surprisingly, the children welcomed us with a hand-made
quilt promoting harmony and an Indian dance show. St. John’s
students reciprocated gratitude with an amazing performance of the
Three Little Pigs, The Hokey Pokey and Simon Says.
The Next destination on the itinerary was the Taj Mahal in Agra
six hours outside of New Delhi. The trip to Agra exposed us to a
different side of India. We drove through villages filled with
roaming cows and goats. We passed an elephant and a few camels. On
the flipside, there wasn’t a single place that was absent of
construction whether it be infrastructure or new mall. It was the
most perplexing contrast to be traveling through a village that
possessed all the dimensions of a village life, but twenty minutes
south a towering builiding is in mid-phase of construction while
many others completed. We finally reached Agra and all of our
hearts were intent on waking up bright and early to experience a
sunrise over the Taj Mahal; we most certainly did and our eyes were
pierced by the geometrical magnificence of its design.
After experiencing a sunrise over the Taj Mahal, we prepared for
our next destination to Hyderabad, the capital city of Andhra
Pradesh. It was here where we experienced the hustle and bustle of
the new tech center outside of Bangalore. Our first day granted us
the opportunity to shake hands with the Chief-minister of Hyderabad
Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, as he and Sant Singh Chatwal, owner of
Hampshire Hotels and Resorts, who is also a trustee of the William
J. Clinton Foundation, introduced the grand opening of the
Hampshire Hotel in Hyderabad. Following the ceremony, we were
invited to a cocktail reception where we socialized with India’s
elite as well as businessmen who were flown in by Chatwal himself.
St. John’s students were greeted by local press which led to an
amazing photograph of the celebration in the Hyderabad Times.
After hob-knobbing with the upper-crust of Hyderabad, we
mellowed on the exotic beaches of Goa another interesting portrayal
of Incredible India. We walked down streets adorned with a rich
Portuguese influence from the food to the architecture. The
students were absolutely fascinated by the blend of Portuguese and
Indian influences on Goan society. Here, we met with the Archbishop
of Goa, Filipe Neri Ferrão. We also had the opportunity to meet
with ocean researchers and attended a live discussion on the
morality of media in India.
Following Goa, we prepared for our departure back to the states.
We routinely drove on a bus filled with bursts of excitement as we
marveled at the complexities we passed when we looked out from our
seats. However, the last day held strong to an air of silence as we
drove through the congested streets of New Delhi to our last stop
the airport. The gasps and laughs vanished and were replaced by
sniffles and tears. The bus window which was the portrait that
framed the art of paradox that tantalized our senses had become the
stage that introduced our final bow as the audience looked out to
their American guests with a round of car honks until the curtains
had finally come down.