The End of Caste: India 2008
Posted May 21 in Trip Recaps by 1 Comments
In the summer of 2008, I had the privilege of spending 3 months among some amazing men and women in New Delhi. The organization that hosted me is called Truthseekers International. Their mission? To bring an end to the 3000 year old caste system.
Articles
While in India, I got to witness how uniquely gifted Truthseekers is at contextualization. They are reaching lower caste Indians and speaking the language in a way that most other ministries can only dream of. One of the coolest things they do? Coconut communion…
A religious leader at a New Delhi rally.
One of the younger Truthseekers named Deshpande has a ministry to Eunuchs, who are some of the most ostracized people in India. I had the opportunity to visit a community of these eunuchs with Deshpande, and it is a memory that will remain with me for a long time.
I learned a lot about the country simply from experiencing everyday events. By watching workers on the street, I gained a valuable new perspective on manual labor. And when I visited a rehabilitation center for the dying and destitute, I knew that I would never be the same.
Over the three months that I was there, it became apparent that Truthseekers was attempting to do the impossible. And yet, Truthseekers presses on. They really are making a difference.
Culture Guides
The kids in India are amazingly beautiful!
Of course, my time in India was not always quite so intense.
I picked up quite a few interesting lessons and facts that could actually help you the next time you travel to New Delhi. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like eating curried goat’s feet, wonder no more. I’ve gone to the trouble of finding out for you.
Oh, and if you find yourself on a crowded bus in India wondering why that man is resting his belly on your shoulder, perhaps I can enlighten you on some things I learned about personal space from an Indian perspective.
Travel Journals
Yes. Yes. Of COURSE I saw the Taj Mahal...
Now, no trip to India would be complete without a little bit of sight-seeing. But I’m not exactly the touristy type.
Of course, walking around an Old Delhi spice market was fascinating… but it became especially so when I broke away from the main roads and delved deeper into the city.
But it was taking a 22 hour train ride to the coastal city of Mumbai that really sticks in my memory. Who would have ever thought that I’d one day explore ancient Hindu caves on an island off the coast of India?
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All in all, my 3 months in India were some of best, worst, most hilarious and most depressing of my life. And I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. I know that what I learned at the feet of the Truthseekers has changed my perspective on the world forever.
Barry Rodriguez
About the Author: Barry Rodriguez is the director of World Next Door. He is a writer, photographer, actor and teacher with a heart for social justice and a passion for travel. Well then. It’s a good thing he’s got this job!
Jane VanOsdol said...
May 28th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Barry,
I like your description of India–it sounds a lot like how my niece described it (she is in India right now with YWAM). It was hard for her to sum it up because it is such a cacophony of sounds, sights and smells.
What amazes me is how Truthseekers has chosen the goal of ridding India of the caste system. When I am setting goals, I think I often choose a “safe” goal, one I think that is easily attainable (maybe too easy). I am blown away by their trust and dependence on God to go for this. And I am challenged to look at the goals in my life and maybe reach for something bigger–with God’s help.