Written by James Wright, Norfolk (ENG)
At 5.15 on Wednesday 26th June 2002, I caught a bus to Heathrow. Sixty-eight hours, two Sri Lankan airlines flights, two Indian Ocean islands, one hotel, one train and two car rides later I stumbled into Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) in southern India.
My first glimpse of India was from the plane as it circled the huge sprawling and sweltering city of Chennai (Madras). The plane touched down at 3.15. One our later I reached the exit and suddenly found myself catapulted into the noise and rush of Indian life even at 4.15 am!
From the airport, with Rufus and David, who were sent to meet me, we made our way to the train station in an Ambassador taxi. Once there, we picked our way through hundreds of men, women and children sleeping on every inch of the floor to find a spot to wait for the train which would be leaving at 7.30 am. The train eventually arrived and having found my name as “Mr James” on a piece of paper stuck to the carriage door I boarded.
After four long hours I left the train at Bangurapet station to take a car for the final drive to KGF, which is situated 100 km south of Bangalore. The British started the gold mines in Kolar Gold Fields and there is still gold to be found, but it is too expensive to mine. As a result there is mass unemployment as the mines used to be a major employer in the area.
I stayed with and helped a church called Bethesda Community Church, who run a tailoring school for destitute women and are beginning a community development centre to help the street children and poor. The girls who went to the tailoring school have either been left by a husband or are too poor to get married as they cannot afford a dowry. Some supported their whole family with their pay – just 1000 rupees per month, which is about £14!
I had such a great time staying with the Pastor’s family, and was able to attend an Indian engagement which was quite an experience. So too was travelling around South India, which I was able to do on a few days. Although, I think I have tasted quite enough curry – which I had for breakfast, lunch and supper virtually every day! Thank you so much for helping me to go. India is an amazing country. Such poverty and yet such wealth. I think the first thing that struck me was the disparity in wealth. From the very rich to the very, very poor. In Bangalore I saw great new buildings, yet outside in the next street intense poverty. I would like to thank the OGs for helping me to have a fantastic four weeks.