Reflections while on the Bus to Agra

When I first arrived in India, I was reminded of a Hollywood media set or one of those amusement parks that creates little theme worlds to go along with their rides. I seriously didn’t believe I was in India, and the plane ride we took felt more like a place to watch Bollywood films and attempt to sleep.
On the bus to Agra, where the Taj Mahal is located, I can’t help reflecting on my time here in India. (Also, I am extremely knackered and you can safely assume, dear reader, that I will be napping after I write my thoughts).
India, like America, is full of a plethora of sub cultures. The North and South regions of India each are unique in their own ways (as evidenced by the different demographics, foods, clothes, and lifestyles). On top of that, India is futher divided into states. Yet there are multiple religions and bodies of people all coexisting peacefully and tolerantly; even though Hinduism is 80% of the population. The minorities are just as included and accepted – much like New York City.
One thing that has struck home with me is the woman’s role in society. It is strange to see only a small percentage of women walking in the streets of Delhi, when in NYC, women easily make up 50% of pedestrians. I attribute this to the different perceptions of a woman’s role in public and private spheres. Women’s role in India is definitely more outlined than that of the American woman’s. An Indian woman plays her main role in a domestic environment, in the private sphere; while the man is at home in the public domain, dealing with the social/economic/political aspects of life. Lately, a woman’s role is becoming less structured and she is acquiring the ability to pursue employment as she breaks from long-standing tradition.
I think the media plays a large part in the influx of women in the workforce. [Oh my goodness I was just whisked off the bus and I met a snake charmer and had a snake around my neck!!!!]
Anyway, I think the Western influences of women being featured in the workforce on television and the governmental push for a greater workforce are pushing the boundaries between the public and private spheres. The media is convincing many that this venture is widespread and therefore acceptable to go with the flow (especially for Gen-Y, whose growth has been affected by media since their youth). The recruiter of PwC India definitely commanded the room and proved to the men that women are more than capable of functioning in the business environment. It was entertaining to watch her one-up the men (make no mistake, I advocate equal roles in the workplace, it was just humorous to watch her roll her eyes and answer the question more effectively and accurately to the chagrin of her co-workers). I know that the amount of women in the workforce will exponentially increase as time goes by and technology advances and propagates more of the pro-female-work sentiment. I think it will be slow to gain momentum as Indians begin to break from traditional roles and practices.

Now, time for my nap portion of the Agra bus ride!

-Tara