Oh what a day-India land of extremes

Today has been a very different day. Yesterday one of the Fulbright staff asked me to talk with someone from for the Times of India, which I was very happy to do. This morning my friends pointed out a great article in the paper about the US teachers visiting India. As we read further here is how they quoted me-“They are very sincere, teachers dedicated and the curriculum of high standard. Kids are sent to school from the age of three and non-performers are treated as morons” said Mary Craig who teaches at John Marshall Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia. Now-I did not say this, not even close. I would not say this in private about a child, let alone in public to insult an entire country. I was pretty upset, but when I got back to the hotel tonight and reread the article again I had to laugh because in the side bar it says-Pat on the back with my name and a very positive quote. Like I said land of extremes-this comment is so far from who I am or anything I would say.. My friends here have been so supportive of the whole mess. Jennifer even gave me her name tag to wear so I did not have to have mine on. The Fulbright staffers do not seem phased by it at all. They said to take it with a grain of salt and that is how the press functions here. Currently I have asked to meet with the reporter and ask her exactly what she was thinking when she attached my name to the comment.
Enough for now another busy day tomorrow. My worst nightmare of misrepresenting my country has come true.
Love,
Jennifer aka Mary Craig

July 16-Bubaneswar

Okay, I have just spent an hour trying to load picture up on this thing and no luck. After a very rocky flight we arrived in the state of Orissa yesterday. Again, the day was jam packed with activity. We saw some wonderful traditional dancers. They were children and the show was fantastic.Today was a very busy day. We started early with a panel discussion about education in India. Then we went to several sites-a non-government, non-profit organization that focuses on Primary education, sustainable livelihood, disaster management, child rights etc. They are doing good work www.cvsd.org. We visited a school and they also rolled out the red carpet for us greeting us with music fanfare and they usually place bind his on our foreheads. I am finding many similarities between our two educational systems. We also visited several temples as Bubaneswar is known as the city of temple. Particularly interesting was Khandagiri-an ancient Jain monastery which is carved into cave like chambers that are filled with beautiful carvings.We finally ran into some rain today, First day which is surprising since it is monsoon season.It is 9:11 here and I have not had dinner yet and realizing how starving I am so I think that I will end this now and try for the pictures tomorrow.We will have more school and temple visits tomorrow.
Love,
M.