Arrive in Ahmedabad, Bombs in Delhi.
5 bombs went off in Delhi last night. Thankfully, I left Delhi yesterday morning and everyone I know in Delhi is safe. The blasts took place in Connaught Place, a very commercial area and the same place that I had had lunch with Anuja and Rishi the week before. I was at my uncle’s place in Ahmedabad when the bombs went off. I was surprised that they weren’t more alarmed by the news – it was if they were desensitized to it. At home, whenever I read on cnn or on the ticker of some tv channell that “Bomb blast in [non-western country], kills [###]”, I usually think about it for a few minutes and then then am distracted by what I was originally doing. The same group that took credit for the July Ahmedabad bombings, Indian Mujahideen is assuming responsibility for these blasts. I’m definitely not distracted now.
Orientation had a fitting farewell. We performed our Bollywood Naach (Naach = Dance) (not intended for those with sensitive ears) and went out for dinner and drinks. I had fun during orientation. While it was hectic at times, I thought AIF did a great job of presenting all so many issues and organizing distinguished speakers. I enjoyed spending time with the other fellows; we found common interests, laughed, drank, mafia-ed and had heated arguments about trivial and controversial subjects. I think we will all pick up where we left off at midpoint in January. One other highlight of orientation was meeting Sridar Iyengar, the AIF board member responsible for the Service Corps. Sridar, the former CEO of KPMG India, has devoted his life to both social development in India and to pursuing global business ventures. He treated us to a VIP dinner at his new Japanese restaurant / lounge, AI, in Delhi.
I start work on Monday and am not sure what exactly to expect. Saath, during the few minutes I spent in the office and from what I heard from the AIF team, is extremely professional and has accomplished a considerable amount. The AIF staff also informed us that that our hours could range from 5 hours a day to 12 hours a day, the latter, a product of waiting for mentors and managers to come back from meetings to assign work. The bankers (Michael (my roommate), Hemant and I got a kick out of that.
finding rickshaw. 