Page 38 - May-June-July Life In Naples

INDIA

THROUGH MY LENS

Iby Ron McGinty
ndia is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most
populous country with over 1.2 billion people, the most
populous democracy in the world and predominately Hindu.
To understand India in three weeks I would equate to taking
a sip of water out of a fire hose. Why? There is too much history,
a diverse culture, caste systems and so much more. I wanted a
photojournalist trip, so I traveled the road less voyaged. I did
not go to any tourist sites such as the Taj Mahal, etc. Aside
from Mumbai (Bombay), I traveled to small towns. With few
exceptions, in most places, my eight fellow explorers and I were
the only non-Indians. We traveled over 1,780 miles from north
India to Kochi by plane, bus and Tuk-tuks.I started my trip with
some trepidations because of the unknown issues of food, foreign
germs and personal safety. After the first day, I only had one issue,
a fellow traveler constantly jumping in front of my camera…
being the gentleman I target to be, I handled it.

To understand India, you need to respect their customs,
removing your shoes when asked, accept the caste system and
don’t be timid to approach anyone. We got to see the “Lunch Box”
delivery business. Over 5,000 men deliver over 200,000 meals
a day, picking up the lunch boxes (tiffins) in the morning from
women, typically, who have packed steaming, spicy dishes into
each compartment and delivering them to offices throughout
Mumbai by train then bicycles.

We can’t project our standards into their country, they existed
thousands of years before our culture evolved, so I respect it. Even
in the ghettos many had smiles and who am I to say they are
or are not happy. Their peace comes from spiritual well-being.
After Mumbai we traveled to Varanasi on the Ganges River, the
most holy property in the country. People go there to die and be
publicly cremated (over 350 people per day). There are religious
ceremonies performed every night. The Sadhus, holy men, are
everywhere. The Hindu religion believes in reincarnation, but if
you are washed in the Ganges River and cremated here you can go
directly to heaven. Every aspect of Hinduism is a new awareness
for me to the options of other’s beliefs, learning,understanding
and tolerance through education. We took a boat ride to the far
side of the Ganges River. This is where tribal people live, but has
many things to experience, such as horses, old boats, bathing,
desert lands, etc. As a bonus, we did get to see a wedding on the

38 Life in Naples | May • June • July 2016