We had seen this last time, so it wasn’t a big deal. Here are some street kids though, which made me smile and reminded me one of the many reasons I came back. 
The kids here LOVE to have their pictures taken and always seem to greet me with a smile. It’s so funny to me.
Today during our “lecture” (lol) this is where Rajiv tells us tidbits about Indian culture and other things he thinks that will help us be better volunteers in our various placements. Kind of a joke. Especially since the room is boiling hot.
Today I fell asleep in there. So not kidding. Anyway he was talking about weddings and I asked him what the ratio of “Arranged Marriages” is to “Love Marriages”. When the families of men and women to “choose” their future spouse for them = Arranged Marriage. Future spouses are chosen by the person’s family because the family knows them best. They are matched up according to income and education. For example, a man’s family will try to find his future wife to be someone of the same economic status and someone equally educated as their son.
Rajiv said in rural areas most all marriages are Arranged. In urban areas Love marriages are “on the rise” and becoming more accepted.
The kids here LOVE to have their pictures taken and always seem to greet me with a smile. It’s so funny to me.Today during our “lecture” (lol) this is where Rajiv tells us tidbits about Indian culture and other things he thinks that will help us be better volunteers in our various placements. Kind of a joke. Especially since the room is boiling hot.
Today I fell asleep in there. So not kidding. Anyway he was talking about weddings and I asked him what the ratio of “Arranged Marriages” is to “Love Marriages”. When the families of men and women to “choose” their future spouse for them = Arranged Marriage. Future spouses are chosen by the person’s family because the family knows them best. They are matched up according to income and education. For example, a man’s family will try to find his future wife to be someone of the same economic status and someone equally educated as their son.Rajiv said in rural areas most all marriages are Arranged. In urban areas Love marriages are “on the rise” and becoming more accepted.
He explained this concept works so well by providing us with an analogy to his dog, Jenny (below). 
He said his son’s dog had 5 babies and his son asked him (Rajiv) to take Jenny as a baby. Initially Rajiv did not want a dog, but then after realizing how important it was to his son, he accepted the dog. Now, after having Jenny 1 ½ yrs (even if forcefully) he says he couldn’t live without her. He said that just by being together “love grows” and this is between “animal and man”. He said their custom of arranged marriages works even better because love between a man and woman grows even stronger and faster, just by being together. Basically that by default if you are thrown together you learn to “love” one another as man and wife.
He said his son’s dog had 5 babies and his son asked him (Rajiv) to take Jenny as a baby. Initially Rajiv did not want a dog, but then after realizing how important it was to his son, he accepted the dog. Now, after having Jenny 1 ½ yrs (even if forcefully) he says he couldn’t live without her. He said that just by being together “love grows” and this is between “animal and man”. He said their custom of arranged marriages works even better because love between a man and woman grows even stronger and faster, just by being together. Basically that by default if you are thrown together you learn to “love” one another as man and wife.Thoughts??
Love, Janelle
The kid in the foreground of your picture is absolutely glowing with happiness! How lovely! Jenny is cute! Love, Mom
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