January 4, 2023

First Thoughts

It’s been less than 48 hours since most of us have landed in Bangalore, and I think most will agree that it’s been a beautiful, and incredible experience so far. I’m feeling grateful and fortunate to be sitting here reflecting on what’s happened and is to come. Seeing the kindness and generosity that we have received from our staff at the hostel and BMS professors and students leaves me feeling overwhelmed with gratitude. It’s impossible to not be humble when you’re greeted with such authenticity.

“Jugaad,” as I learned from Aritra Roy, a highly enthusiastic B.M.S. Civil engineering student, is a term used to characterize India. It means “to make existing things work, or to create new things with limited resources” or as Aritra would say, “organized chaos”. The moment you land, this becomes instantly apparent, from the constant honking between motorcycles, buses, scooters, rickshaws, and trucks to make others aware of their presence, to the many different trades, skills, and shops all along the streets of India that people have either learned or created to survive in such a bustling environment.

I’ve only been here a couple of days but the lessons and things I’ve experienced will be with me forever. ‘Looking forward to whatever is to come.