My friend and blogging buddy, Priya, has published several enlightening posts about India, her homeland. After reading each of those posts on her blog, Partial View, I’ve found that the more I learn, the more questions I have.
I don’t think I’m alone.
India is still so strangely unfamiliar to most of us who haven’t been there. Our impressions have been formed by movies, cartoons, stand-up comedians, and a lot of imaginative gap-filling. The result, at least for me, has been little more than a caricature. And a billion people — with their long history, dazzling culture, agonizing struggles, and proud achievements — deserve more than that.
Here’s a link to Priya’s post, Walking into the Jet Age.
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Mostly Bright Ideas 
writerwoman61
February 26, 2011
Thanks for posting this link, Charles…I’ve always had an interest in India because my ex-husband’s grandparents were missionaries there between 1925 and the 1960’s (his dad and aunts were born there). I’ve also read a lot of Indian literature. My blogging friend, Harsha (http://crazygoangirl.wordpress.com/), is a doctor who lives in Goa. Another blogging friend, Tom, travelled to India for a relative’s wedding a few months ago, and posted quite an informative piece filled with photos: http://testazyk.com/2010/12/31/a-sampling-of-india/.
Thanks again!
Wendy
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bronxboy55
February 26, 2011
Thank you, Wendy, for the thoughtful comment. It would be an amazing place to visit.
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Meera
February 26, 2011
Charles, I am continually amazed (and inspired) by the depth and dedication with which you pursue your curiosity about the world. Thanks (to you and Priya) for this, from one one-half Indian who has never been to the land of her grandparents.
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bronxboy55
February 27, 2011
Thank you, Meera. What a kind thing to say. But my contribution to the post was minimal, limited, I think, to my willingness to publicly express my own ignorance. If visiting India is something in your dreams, I hope you’ll get there one day.
I’m also happy we’ve reconnected. I’ve always enjoyed your blog and its unique view of the world.
http://www.scienceessayist.com/
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Jessica Sieghart
February 27, 2011
After having the pleasure of meeting many, many Indian people throughout my life, I agree, it would be a fascinating place to visit. Really interesting collaboration on that article, Charles. I liked the frankness of it.
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bronxboy55
February 27, 2011
I liked the frankness, too Jessica. Priya is very open about her love for India, and equally candid about its many problems. The world is complicated, and I think we’d all be better off if we took more time to look closely and think deeply, rather than jumping to instant conclusions.
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Val Erde
February 27, 2011
It’s a good post in Priya’s blog, Charles, and your part in it too, was good!
🙂
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bronxboy55
February 28, 2011
I didn’t do much, Val, but thank you.
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Damyanti
February 27, 2011
Thanks for doing this post, Charles. I loved your questions, and Priya’s answers.
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bronxboy55
February 28, 2011
I appreciate your saying that, Damyanti, especially knowing a little about your background. I’m sure Priya appreciates it, too.
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Linda Paul
March 2, 2011
You’re right about the mystery of India, Charles. Although I’m pretty sure I will never see that country first hand, I am fascinated by it. My curiosity was first piqued in 2001 when I met an Indian man on a 5 day canoe trip down the Green River. Those long days on the river and evenings huddled under the stars were wonderful for lengthy philosophical discussions. He had lived in the states for nearly 20 years at that time. He has since returned to India and we don’t communicate as often as I’d like. Therefore, Priya’s blog has been a delight for me. I have yet to read her latest post. (I’m so behind on everything at the moment!)
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bronxboy55
March 2, 2011
You never know, Linda. It could happen that someday you’ll find yourself in a canoe on a river in India, huddled under the stars and having more long philosophical discussions. In any case, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this post on Priya’s blog. Thanks for the comment.
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Earth Ocean Sky Redux
March 2, 2011
I have had the pleasure of traveling throughout India, staying with Indian families along the way who were friends over the years. It was a wonderful way to learn about a culture, first-hand. My memories are long and deep of people who are passionate about their vibrant country. It was hard, I must admit, to see the poverty in India and I’m sure I’ll never completely understand the caste system and the division of the residents of the north versus south. But, I’ve never had better food on a vacation, but mostly loved how generations still live together and the reverence for grandparents. It was a trip of a lifetime and I am thrilled you highlighted Priya’s marvelous blog to bring me back to that trip. Thanks.
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bronxboy55
March 6, 2011
You’ve certainly seen many parts of the world, EOS. I have a renewed interest in visiting India myself, thanks mostly to Priya’s ability to portray its many facets in vivid words and pictures.
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Priya
March 3, 2011
I keep wondering everyday, whether I should post a ‘Thank You, Charles’ comment here. I now wonder at the delay. Thank you, Charles, for the wonderful collaboration.
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bronxboy55
March 3, 2011
I should be thanking you. It was an education for me, and you did most of the work. I hope we can do it again.
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Mitch Mitchell
March 6, 2011
I enjoyed the interview, Charles, as both of you did a great job. I have to admit that I’m probably one of the few people you might talk to that really doesn’t have an interest in going to see India for myself, so it’s nice to learn more about it through Q & A’s like that one.
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bronxboy55
March 6, 2011
Thanks, Mitch. It was fun, and I learned as much as you did.
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