The day ended well

After work I went to play with "my puppies". My favorite one wasn't there - where is she? The other three were there and they all got to enjoy the biscuits. They now sit for me before I give them a treat, we are becoming buddies. The next lesson plan will be to make them sit and stay - wish me luck.

Walked to the Yoga studio, a new place in GK-2, to find out what time class was tomorrow morning. There was a woman there who just joined also. She's living in Delhi on her own and just moved from Mumbai. She said that she didn't have a lot of friends here yet. We went for coffee and a bite to eat and had a great chat. We share lots in common - both have Labrador retrievers at home, enjoy hiking and staying active. We have tentative plans to explore a park nearby.

On Sunday I have plans with Swati, the woman I meet two weeks ago and who is moving to Mumbai. She is back in Delhi for the weekend and wants to get together on Sunday.

Are things looking up? Work is a downer, but maybe making contacts will get me through the rough patches.

At least I can end my day feeling good and looking forward to the weekend with friends!

An arrangement that I took as a gift to the wedding. It's beautiful and only cost $8USD! I will have to buy some for myself tomorrow at a flower store right next to my apartment.

Can you quit a volunteering job?

Today I almost threw in the towel with my fellowship. You have read that I am not the biggest fan of the PHI director, Dr. P. Today confirmed that! I will tell the story and you can decide if I am over reacting.

Earlier this week I was feeling pretty good about the job. Dr. Prasanta, the director started using some of the material I had previously worked on. That makes me feel productive. On Wednesday I went to the meeting with him to the Lilly office to discuss PHI portion of the NCD, non-communicable disease, project. It was a good meeting. At the meeting the Lilly folks told us there was a diabetes conference on Friday that was invitation only and he would forward the email with the contact info of the organizer. I was very interested and mentioned that to Dr. P on the way home from the meeting. On Thursday I asked Prasanta if he had received it. His response was he hadn't checked his emails. When I got to the office I searched the internet. The only thing I found was through a link to LinkedIn. I sent it to Prasanta to see if I should try and if he was interested in going. He said that he had too much work to do but I should try. I also contacted Prabhat from Lilly for the email, he responded with a message to say he had forwarded it to Dr. P in the am; Dr. P was ccd on my email. I felt bad that it appeared that we didn't communicate in the office. I contacted the organizer but never got a response.

The morning routine is that Prem, the driver, picks up Dr. P and then picks up JC and myself. Dr. P wasn't in the car this morning and Prem said he had a meeting to go to. OK. I just hoped that he didn't go to the diabetes conference and not invite me as he well knew that I wanted to go.

At the office, Cheena my co-worker came in around 11 after talking with Dr. P. Guess where Dr. P was??? Yes, at the diabetes conference. JC was there and he had listened to me requesting that I go to the meeting and how he should join us if he was available. Cheena had the passes for the conference and had told Dr. P earlier in the week that we should all go.  This was the first time I was hearing about this.  Cheena has not been in all week as she was involved with her brother’s wedding (the one I went to last week). Before I saw her today she had spoken with Dr. P while he was at the conference and told her that she could not go as she had too much work to do in the office. When Cheena told me all of this I could hardly control myself. I am here to help PHI. If the director cannot have the decency to include me in these activities, which he well knew I was interested in, what the hell am I doing here????? I wanted to contact Dr. P's boss, the director of PH in USA and the Pfizer global health fellow coordinator to let them know about this event. Cheena and JC calmed me down.  She made a phone call to get me on the invitation list. I went, two hours after the start, but that's OK. The conference is totally free, no charge so why wouldn't he want me to attend? He saw me there and all he said was that he had to return to the office. That's it, nothing else.

I enjoyed the meeting, made a few contacts and really wish that PHI had a larger support present as their work was mentioned by one of the panel speakers. It is embarrassing that no one from the PHI employees were there. What does it show to the diabetes management community? It isn't important? At least I was able to make a presence and speak of the good work PHI has done with the diabetes educator project. At the end of the conference - Oh BTW the food was fabulous! If all else fails I can find comfort in good Indian food. It's amazing I am still thin! Maybe not after 6 months, but I'll worry about that some other time.

Got back to the office. Dr. P was talking with JC and never even asked me how did it go? What is he thinking???? Thankfully my fellow co-workers were able to calm me down enough not to blow up at Dr. P. With a bit of luck by Monday I will have cooled off enough to talk with him calmly and try to understand his point of view. I really hope for my sake that he has a good explanation!

Unbelievable!

The first session of the conference focused on new technologies for diabetes diagnosing, managing and medications. Second session discussed the prevalence of diabetes in India, which is so very high with many of the cases undiagnosed and if diagnosed poorly managed. Third session discussed behaviour modifications and healthy eating habits. Overall, very informative and I am glad that I attended.

Wedding and a bummer Sunday

Went to Cheena;s brothers wedding last night. It was nice. To my surprise it was very casual. People and family involved in the wedding were dressed really nicely but others were very casual. I was expecting lots of beautiful saris and jewelry, in that respect it was disappointing But otherwise nice. Loud DJ, at least 7 photographers/videos, lots of food, lots of wait staff.
 At first they blessed the rings, the first picture.
There is a lot of exchange of gifts between families.  The brides family gives gifts to the grooms and then the grooms family gives gifts to the brides family.

pic

Next This is Cheena, my co-worker with her Dad.  Just like at work, we see each other in very informal dress and then viola - they are extravagant.  Those shoes!!!  She looked beautiful.  It was Cheena's brother who got married and I believe she is the one who organized the entire event.


It was difficult to get any  pictures as the photographers took up the stage.  There were lights set up, wires and people.  As the audience cannot see what's happening there are TV screens capturing the live events - interesting! 

It is very common that the bride is given jewelry - look at that gold!  Not only did they get jewelry the happy couple also got a Honda Civic. 
One thing that was interesting to me was some of the men's attire. I captured a picture of Prem, our driver, with this fella all decked out in a nice outfit with ELF shoes - the toes are curled up!  Wild. 

It was a nice event and I am really glad I was able to participate.  Actually spent quite a bit of the time talking with a woman from Germany who was in India volunteering.  Ah, when you see a "white" person I immediately feel a connection as we are "outsiders".  She is on a spiritual journey - young and searching.

 Today is Sunday and I was so excited as I had a plans with a woman I met in exercise class. Gave her a call this am and she was on her way to Mumbai as she is moving there ASAP.  Bummer for me.  It was a beginning to have a connection with a local.  Oh well...
In the mornings at the park I walk around I hear something that sounds like a pool.  This is VERY surprising to me as I haven't seen any pools.  As my plans have changed for the day I started searching for pools and yes, my hearing was correct.  I am excited as it is so close by and its a club.  I'll just join...  Walked over there, about 10 minutes.  Got shuffled to the manager, another disappointment - they only allow natives!  If I know someone who belongs, then I can accompany them but otherwise - NO.  On my walk back home I am thinking who I could ask to join (I really do not have many options on that front).  Oh well, I guess it was not meant to be.  WHY NOT????

My highlight today was to Skype with Iris.  Iris is amazing, so full of energy.  She just visited the Grand Canyon and soon off to Glacier Natl park and she does it all on her own!  I can relate to wanting something and then going for it.  Ah yes all those beautiful places.....

Tomorrow I'll go for my morning walk and listen to people doing laps in the pool.

Work

Don't know where to start.  Project HOPE India, PHI, has been focusing on diabetes education training.  Starting in July 2012 they are participating in a 5 year program in collaboration with the PHFI, public health foundation of India, PSI, population services of India and it is all sponsored by Eli Lily.  I will not say that I am from Pfizer!!!  This is the project I will be focusing my efforts.

An except from the project proposal: Eli Lilly and Company made a commitment over five years to fight the rising burden of non-communicable diseases in developing nations. They sell diabetes medicines.  Lilly is launching The Lilly NCD Partnership in India, UDAY, which combines the company’s unique resources with the expertise of leading global health organizations, to identify new models of patient care that increase treatment access and improve outcomes for underserved people. The partnership will focus on diabetes core business area in which Lilly has deep expertise.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), known as chronic diseases, include cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases. The first phase of The Lilly NCD Partnership will focus on improving diabetes care.

PHI has four employees, Dr. Prasanta-  director who only started in December of 2011 so he wasn't part of the project negotiations, Cheena, program manager, Vishwa, HR and finance manager are in office in New Delhi, and Ciju who is based in Bangalore.  I haven't met Ciju yet but we correspond by Skype or phone. 
Everyone is extremely busy!!! but not with the current project.
I like Vishwa as he has made an effort to help me enjoy India.  He is very friendly, organized, open and wanting to make my stay in India enjoyable.  Cheena is wonderful, but too busy to offer much guidance and direction.  Ciju- I don't have an opinion yet.  Now Dr. Prasanta has made me appreciate my superiors at Pfizer.  They are leaders, organized, encouraging, and good project leaders.  Dr. Prasanta is a dictator, not encouraging, tells people what to do (if he has time), and focused only on himself.  I don't fell comfortable with him leading the project.  Yesterday he came to me to tell me about a meeting that he will have to discuss PHI plans of action and he said that he should do it alone.  I indicated that I would really like to participate in the meeting so I can understand what the other groups are thinking and that four ears are better than two.  We'll see if he includes me, I hope so. 
I have pictures here of a training session that PHI executed in BD manufacturing plant trying to get a few workers to act as leaders in diabetes prevention and education.  PHI has lots of potential to make an impact helping people control their diabetes and educate them to what is necessary to live with diabetes and how to take care of themselves with self-management. 
Over the past month I have been doing research on line to get info about other training programs, to learn about the two location study sites, Sonepot and Vizag.  Over the past few weeks I have been processing data so it can be included in a summary report from the previous PHI project.  I am comfortable doing this but wonder if it will be used.  Often when I submit info to my colleagues I don't get a response - very frustrating.  I ask myself if I should even bother but then again what else am I going to do?
Next time I write about work let's hope it is more upbeat and goal oriented.
I am here for 6 months and am not enjoying myself very much.  It's not bad but I'd rather be home doing what I enjoy  to do- being with my loved ones, garden, hiking, At the same time this is work and I don't always enjoy work.  Also volunteering may not necessarily be fun but it should be rewarding. If it was rewarding and I felt productive I am sure this would be a better experience - there are over 4 months to go so things should pick up.
Stay tuned

Indian life

Indian food cooked by Wajit.  The vegetalbes are from two separate meals.  Left is Okra, called lady fingers in India and the other is potatoes/onions/tomatoes - my favorite, he must have used extra salt and oil!  Accompanied with traditional dal with rice. 

At first it was great to have him cook for me but now it has become too often as i don't cook antmore.  He also brings me food that his wife makes (and boy is that good!).  The problem is that he brings it at around 8:30pm and I have usually already eaten but I don't want to be rude and turn it down, besides it is just yummy.  If this is the worst of my problems I must be doing OK. 

On Monday I went to my exercise (yoga) class, it was fine.  I walked home with a woman from class and we have a date to do something on Sunday.  My first friend!  I like her and she speaks English very well.  She works for an international advertising company based in Delhi.  She has moved out of her family home for the job and has her own flat in Kalkaji, the neighboring town. A woman living on her own is not very common in India as most remain with their parents until marriage.

i am finally getting into a routine for the week.  I have been waking early at 6:30 and go for 1/2 to 1 hour walk around the neighborhoods.  I found a park that has a walking path that is sand.  There are quite a few people walking in the morning which is good.  The temperature at 6:30 is around 91 and when I return it is usually around 93.  Monday and Fridays eve I have been going to exercise class, Wednesdays is my Skyping evening and cooking.  Food is good.  There is a Southern indian restaurant down the street that I want to go to but still havent.  i seem to always have food at home that needs eating.  No different than home...  Eric and I facetime a few days a week which is something i look forward to.  Before I left for India Eric got an iphone.  Because of the iphone we can talk easily whenever there is wifi.  Love the Apple technology andstaying connected. 

Feeling a bit envious of people at home.  Eric in the Adirondacks, Christine in the Adirondacks, Tony and Christopher backpacking.  I miss the great outdoors.  I am hearing that it is quite hot and humid in New York.  Here it is very hot, but dry.  Humidity level is usually under 10%.  Yesterday was hot and humid (14%).  Maybe I shouldn't complain but I know in New York it doesn't stay that way for months.

Tonight is the wedding.  DO I take a gift?  Money?  I will look it up on line to see what I can find.   Looking forward to seeing how elaborate the affair will be.  Marriage and babies are events to celebrate in India.  Maybe everywhere....

I know I haven't discussed work.  That will be another posting.  Not good, but there is hope that it will pick up.  I have been here for 6 weeks, 17 weeks more- Ugh, but the project should pick up in July.  Always need to have hope that things will get better and I do have that.  Between my Christopher's FB and emails from outdoor outfitters I am thinking about a backpacking trip for next year.  In the mountains, water, trees.... Need positives and things to look forward to helps me keep going. 

Before I left home I was planning on going to Laos and Cambodia for an active adventure following my fellowship. Since I have been here my thoughts were maybe to stay and travel around India. Over this last two weeks I decided that I didn't want to spend anymore time in India than I have to.   Hopefully I will head up to Ladakh area, the Himalayas of India, for four days.  I just want to see the area and the best time to travel is May-August.  I won't have time for a backpack, but hopefully there are short hikes for exploring the valleys and hills.  Sue, my friend from Australia mentioned a great trip called the Valley of the Flowers (sounds great huh?) but I would need at least 5 days.  The agreement for the fellowship was that I couldn't take any vacation during my 6 months.  I have worked two Saturdays, so I will be using those as comp days.  Need to make myself happy right???

I will let you know how the wedding goes....

Bahá’í temple and Mahamta Gandhi museum

Bahá’í House of Worship in New Delhi, alias the Lotus temple.  June 17, 2012

I woke early with no plans for the weekend and decided that I should go for a walk in the morning before it got hot. The Lotus temple is a site in the area that was suggested to visit so I got my maps, decided on the route and off I went. Made it directly there without any wrong turns!  I must be learning how to read the maps and understand the streets.   The temple is surrounded by a gate to keep the area peaceful and clean.  Waited in line for the gate to open at 9 (it was 8:30 when I arrived) with many locals waiting to do their morning prayers. One must remove their shoes before walking up the steps towards Baha'i temple. The thought is that shoes are generally dirty, so one takes them off so they do not make the house of God dirty (respect). Traditional concept was to purify completely by taking a bath. Most temples still have a pond for this purpose just beside the temple; though no one was allowed to get into these water pools surrounding the lotus temple. It was very peaceful and expansive inside.  No talking is allowed.

!                                                   On left is overhead shot of the temple lifted from Internet. It is beautiful!  It's a shame that a tourist cannot see the architectural  beauty from the ground.

Administering Polio Vaccine.  A table was set up with two nurses, on the table was a cold box that was written polio vaccine. Here we see the Oral polio vaccine being given to children by a drop of the vaccine on their tongue - painless.  I have heard about polio immunization days but to see it in action was really great. Polio was supposed to be eradicated from the world by 2000.  This has not happened BUT the number of cases of poliomyelitis has decreased to a few hundred cases worldwide.

Eternal Gandhi Multimedia Museum: - The Museum presents historical records of Gandhi’s life through tools of information technology. It revives the values by which India obtained freedom and redefines them to animate modern products and design. The museum was very interactive, had a nice doll exhibition and very life like images as seen in the picture of Gandhi and his wife.  Gandhi wanted to spread the message of truth and non violence. Ironically he was killed by a man who worked actively for the eradication of Hindus untouchable and the caste system.  Gandhi also shared that same goal. 

I went to the museum in the afternoon with Melinda and her co-worker Kristin.  I had not planned on going out during the day, but I couldn't miss the invitation to be with others.    Most of my friends know me as being very independent, often, when I do get out with other Indian colleagues I find that I would rather be on my own.  But at the same time if I go out by myself I sometimes wish I had someone else with me...

When I returned home I wondered  why someone wanted to kill Mahatma Gandhi.  Below is my summary that I found on the internet:

Nathuram Godse, the assassinator, thought Gandhi harmed Hindu's by preaching non-violence and naively ignoring the violence that was occurring in the country at the time.  In fact, honour, duty and love of one's own kin and country might often compel us to disregard non-violence and to use force. Many thought that Gandhi's politics were irrational but Gandhi had great followers as he lived a most severe austerity of life with ceaseless work for peace. During In 1946 the Muslims were massacring Hindus and Hindus were not retaliating because of Gandhi's politics.  Godse believed and risked his life to release governing Hindu leaders from Gandhi's spell of non-violence whose policy and action had brought ruin and destruction to millions of Hindus.

Interesting.  I guess we are all entitled to our own opinion.....

Pictures

 Sue in her Indian dress style.   Material is light cotton.  Learning experience: there is NO cold water wash as there is no cold water.  The material is not made with color permanent dyes and the dyes are very efficient at coloring other material (whites). This was apparent to me when I washed orange pants with whites, all whites turned orange and the orange pants became a faded orange. Live and learn.

Office support staff and cook.  Ashok on left and Krisinji on right.

The sacred bull seen here is rummaging through the garbage on the side of the road.  Not a pretty sight.  Garbage is a real problem in India.  Not sure what is supposed to be done with it, but there aren't many trash cans and it seems that everyone finds it acceptable to throw the garbage from their cars or just dumps it once they are finished.