Knowledge Must organises its summer programme Summer in India 2013 from 14th July till 10th August in Delhi. The programme consists of an exciting mix of Hindi language classes, academic seminars, skills training sessions, Delhi tours and weekend excursions.

India holds a very special place in our globalising world. It is not only home to every sixth human being on the planet, it is also the most culturally diverse country in the world. From high-tech industries in the megacities to remote jungle villages seemingly untouched by time, India encompasses both the dynamic forces of globalisation and the deep-rooted traditions of one of the world's most ancient cultures. Due to all this diversity, India is difficult to grasp.

Continue reading "India Summer Programme 2013: Studies in Indian Language, Culture and Society"

Are you interested in doing an internship In India? Go for it - it's easier than you might think! The story of former Knowledge Must intern Julia is a great example. Longing to go back to India, where she spent a year as an exchange student when she was 16, Julia joined our team for three months in late 2012. Read on to find out how Julia got interested in India, her experience living in Delhi and how her time with Knowledge Must complemented her studies.

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Kumbh Mela is the biggest pilgrimage festival in the world and in fact also by far the largest gathering of people for any purposes anywhere. This festival attracts tens of millions people every about 12 years, when it takes place in Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh, India). The pilgrims’ crowd is so big, it could even be seen from space. The main purpose of the Kumbh Mela pilgrimage is to bathe at the Triveni, in the most holy of places – the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and the mythical river Saraswati.

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Christmas in India – how does that work? For many people (including me), it was difficult to imagine at first: Christmas trees, snow and presents - accompanied by warm climate, cows and monkeys? I asked friends, colleagues, shopkeepers and people on the street about it. How do they celebrate this festival? Is it as grand and pompous as in Christian countries? I got various answers, but one can be said for certain – Christmas is enjoyed by everyone!

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There are few Christians in India – slightly more than 2%. Nevertheless, India and particularly Delhi are great places to celebrate the Christmas festival. There is plenty to do in the capital – Christmas is probably the most international festival, cutting across all religions, nationalities and age groups. In December, everyone is excited about wrapping gifts, baking cakes and taking part in the celebrations. The city turns white, green and red, overflowing with Christmas goodies, souvenirs, Santa hats, decorations, and of course the Christmas spirit. Hotels, restaurants and shops try to outdo each other with the brightest possible decorations and most attractive festive offers. Here and there, Santa can be spotted roaming around, distributing sweets and gifts among children. Carol choirs can be heard around churches. Many hotels, nightclubs, restaurants and banquet halls organise parties over Christmas. Christmas holidays in Delhi are a time for shopping, enjoying and partying. Different events take place simultaneously, allowing you to celebrate the festive season exactly as you like it.

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When I booked myself on a Historic Mehrauli Walking Tour I was really excited, was really looking forward to go. Why was I so excited about this walking tour? I had arrived in India only two weeks before to complete an internship as part of my studies in Germany. And of course, everything still felt completely new and adventure-like to me. It was my first time in India, as you may have guessed. You must remember your first time being here and can imagine how I felt.

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Ever since I started working in Shahpur Jat in the southern part of Delhi, I have been inspired by the particular atmosphere pervading the small galis of this neighbourhood. However, it took me more than two months before I took to the streets to explore whatever they have on offer. One spring afternoon after sitting through several successive power cuts I decided to leave my desk and go out looking for adventure. For the last two months I have been hearing about how the place is full of design shops catering for the tastes of the urban and the fashionable, but on my way to the office I did not see anything like that, only the main market filled with small grocery shops offering the usual knick-knacks and the carts of the vegetable and fruit sellers.

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India is a land of surprises! From the majestic Himalayas and the stark deserts of Rajasthan, over beautiful beaches and lush tropical forests, to idyllic villages and bustling cities, India offers something unique for every individual preference. Vibrant, mesmerising, completely absorbing, the country stimulates all of your senses - often simultaneously. If you plan to travel to India, I am sure you will find our following tips helpful:

1. Keep a scanned copy of your passport and visa in your e-mail box at all times. You will need it more often than you think, especially while booking services like accommodation, transport, etc.

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On a recent day when going to work to our office in South Delhi’s Shahpur Jat neighbourhood, I noticed, amidst sweets and street food vendors and recent fashion shops that have been mushrooming in the area, this cute little shop called “Dubdengreen”. Inside, unsurprisingly for this densely populated neighbourhood, the space is small enough, the decorations are minimal and the absence of shining and blinking advertisement on the shelves catches the eye. This looks more like a farm house shop, so you wouldn’t be surprised to find mooing cows and chattering chicken in the backyard. A quick look around is enough to confirm the impression: grains and millets are there, fresh vegetables next to fresh fruit and dairy products. This is indeed another shop for farm goods – so how is it different? Well, this one is all about organic.

Continue reading "A Pioneer for Organic Food in New Delhi"

Along with economic development and social evolution in both developed and developing countries, leisure activities have become more important and diverse than ever. Relaxing after long and strenuous working hours and the other obligations of daily life is now a necessity. The “need to escape” is enjoyed in different ways across cultures and is closely related to daily lifestyles, working life, and cultural patterns. As Chinese society has experienced great changes over the last few decades, leisure activities have also developed a lot. I have had the opportunity to observe these evolutions in China and explore Western and Chinese views on this issue. The following is an interview conducted with David Ritter, a 27 year old American male who has been living in China for two and a half years, and Yang Qi, a 25 year old Chinese male who studied in Australia for six years but has since returned to Chengdu. Below is a transcript of our discussions about Chinese leisure activities.

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The first time I was in India I wanted to get to know the real India - not just the Lonely Planet-India, so I decided to do CouchSurfing. Occupying somebody else’s living room is not just about saving money. It is about sharing. A complete stranger shares with you his home. You can observe his morning habits, you eat with him, you can discuss every possible topic under the sun... Indians, at least the Indian CouchSurfers, are usually very keen on discussing the differences and similarities of their own and your culture. Hence, I got to know a flight attendant, an elephant rider, a family father, a son of a wealthy family etc. So I could see the differences between the lower, middle and upper social classes. It was an incredible experience!

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Lili Jiang, 23, is a Chinese student from Sichuan Province, China. In July she went to travel in India and she has decided to share her experience with us.

KM: So, first of all, Lili, how come you decided to go to India? Isn’t it still a quite unusual destination for Chinese tourists?

Lili: Well to be honest, I think you are right, there aren’t many Chinese tourists in India (yet!), and on the plane I had a hard time explaining to the Chinese hostesses and passengers why I was travelling to India as a tourist. Most of the Chinese people on my flight were going to India for business purposes and they didn’t understand why I was going there just for fun! The hostesses were actually worried for me, telling me things like: “Why are you going to India? Are you mad? If you need help you can stay with us, here’s our Indian phone number!” Despite their concerns though, my experience in India was great! The main reason why I decided to go was that I’ve always felt an attraction for India! We’re neighbours, yet so different!! My friend (who was flying from Hong Kong, while I was flying from Beijing) and I were scared we would miss each other in the airport. Luckily enough, I guess I looked too different from my Indian sisters and brothers and my friend recognized me right after I got out of customs!

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Around Mid-Autumn Festival there is an interesting custom occurring in China, especially among the younger generations: text greetings! The 15th day of the 8th month of the Chinese lunar calendar (12th of September in 2011) is one of the most important festivals in China, 中秋节, the Mid-Autumn Festival. It is a harvest festival dating back over 3,000 years, and it is celebrated by worshipping the moon. The particular date falls around the time of the autumn equinox, which is usually in September or early October. Traditionally, on this day Chinese families and friends will gather to admire the bright mid-autumn harvest moon and eat moon cakes, round or rectangular pastries with a thick filling. Even though many people are still upholding tradition, others are spending time doing other activities such as travelling or partying.

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At Knowledge Must we are very happy to present you our new home in Delhi, Shahpur Jat, one of the city's most sympathetic neighbourhoods. Shahpur Jat is an urban village in South Delhi, located near Hauz Khas and within the historic walls of one of the ancient capital cities of Delhi, Siri Fort. Representative of the city of Delhi like very few other neighbourhoods, vibrant and yet relaxed, chaotic and still tranquil, Shahpur Jat's contrasts never fail to leave a lasting impression.

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At first glance one could say that there is no point in comparing Egypt and India, but when I came here I noticed that there were quite some similarities between these two countries. When I first arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi I had this strange feeling of familiarity. Facing me there were hundreds of Indians staring at me but it didn’t disturb me, the same thing occurs in Egypt, so I am quite used to it. I only realized that I was in India on the way to my flat, when I tried to explain to my taxi driver who didn’t speak a word of English how to get there. From that moment I understood that in India things could quickly get more complicated and that I had to sweat it out. A challenging programme was waiting for me; will I be able to measure up to it?

The first days I decided to gather my courage and discover my neighbourhood. I made this leap to have a glimpse of India’s living conditions and culture and I quickly realized that I was not in an environment that was completely foreign to me. I was walking along the main market of Malviya Nagar when I had this strange feeling: it was a mixture of a dream and a flashback from my time in Egypt.

The panorama that stood in front of me, the city of Delhi with its crowded streets, noises and smells, reassured me somewhat. I found here the same hawkers shouting their slogans, the same sweltering atmosphere of the days of extreme heat and also the same frame of mind: bargaining. Nothing better than going to shop in a local market or to launch into the traffic jam to feel fully immersed. Crossing a busy intersection involved similar risks! However, it reminds me of how my cousins in Egypt who used to take my hand to help me cross the street – now I can proudly say “I can cross the street on my own!”

It is true that when when many people think about these two countries, one word comes first in their minds: poverty. Children, the unemployed and handicapped are the most affected by poverty and it is a fact that one often comes across beggars, touts and children who are trying to sell roses. Nevertheless, you have to go beyond that kind of stereotype if you really want to appreciate the splendour of these countries. Simple people, always welcoming, with a sense of mutual support, that is what I found here, not to mention the gorgeous sceneries which are classified among the Seven Wonders of the World.

Some scenes particularly struck me. Just look at these pictures and try to tell which country it is:

Continue reading "Discovering India for the First Time: The Feelings of a Franco-Egyptian Girl"