Last April, Webb hosted two girls from the BVB School; Tamanna and Varnika. The two students bravely flew half way around the world by themselves to spend two weeks attending classes at Webb and living with Helen and Ceci's families. We thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them and they helped us throw the Holi Festival of Color while in Knoxville which was a big success.
Today, the students and I spent the morning at their school experiencing a typical day for them. As I entered the school courtyard/playground the students were practicing a big production dance number that they are performing on January 26th to celebrate India Republic Day. I enjoyed watching the students perform their dance to the Jai Ho song (Bollywood song made famous in the Slumdog Millionaire movie) while the boys skated around on roller skates and the girls danced and created a pattern with the Indian flag. What a reception! I then had a brief tour of the school and met the Headmistress who is keen to continue the exchange with Webb in the future. I was given a demonstration of their technology in the math lab and then headed to the art room where the girls had assembled and were having their hands painted intricately with henna patterns... a process called Mehndi and usually given to brides just before they marry. Don't worry parents, no student on this trip is about to be married off!!
After exchanging gifts and information on both schools we departed school...the adults headed for lunch at the local golf club. The students headed to a brand new mall that opened about 6 months ago and looks just like an American mall on the inside and carries many of the same stores as the US and UK. The world continues to become homogenized although I am glad to see that Starbuck's has not yet arrived in Chandigarh..it won't be long though as you can find it in Delhi already.
Today, the students and I spent the morning at their school experiencing a typical day for them. As I entered the school courtyard/playground the students were practicing a big production dance number that they are performing on January 26th to celebrate India Republic Day. I enjoyed watching the students perform their dance to the Jai Ho song (Bollywood song made famous in the Slumdog Millionaire movie) while the boys skated around on roller skates and the girls danced and created a pattern with the Indian flag. What a reception! I then had a brief tour of the school and met the Headmistress who is keen to continue the exchange with Webb in the future. I was given a demonstration of their technology in the math lab and then headed to the art room where the girls had assembled and were having their hands painted intricately with henna patterns... a process called Mehndi and usually given to brides just before they marry. Don't worry parents, no student on this trip is about to be married off!!
After exchanging gifts and information on both schools we departed school...the adults headed for lunch at the local golf club. The students headed to a brand new mall that opened about 6 months ago and looks just like an American mall on the inside and carries many of the same stores as the US and UK. The world continues to become homogenized although I am glad to see that Starbuck's has not yet arrived in Chandigarh..it won't be long though as you can find it in Delhi already.
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