Iyo Aghedo
India in Iyo's Eyes
Exploring India was a unique experience. From curious strangers to new tastes, sights, and sounds, there is never a shortage of interesting experiences to indulge in. Below are the main images and moments that struck me as a foreigner. I am truly fortunate to have had my perspectives widened and my preconceived notions tested.
New Spaces New Faces
When exploring new places, it is common for both travelers and locals to meet with wide eyes. We may all be human, but there is a certain curiosity aroused when meeting a different iteration of humanity. I was perplexed the first few times I witnessed the Indian head bobble but soon found myself unwittingly mimicking the behavior when I spoke. From the Indian perspective, the plaits I and other Black students wore garnered stares, selfie requests, and zealous questioning. My research interests lie in exploring the ways in which different marginalized communities interact with each other and societal systems. Traveling from a country that is somewhat familiar with Black hair traditions to one that is relatively unfamiliar evoked a lot of different emotions and interesting insights. The photos and videos below follow the initial shock of being asked to take photos to enjoyment, at times annoyance, and acceptance.
Screenings & Cake
The Public Health Research Institute of India (PHRII) goes into rural areas to screen women for cervical cancer. I was fortunate enough to view and participate in the process of set up and intake. The camp took place at a school on the day of resumption. We arrived shortly before the children and were greeted with a puja. The juxtaposition of children at play and women at work exemplified the extra miles that PHRII was willing to go, and that are necessary, to ensure that all people receive adequate healthcare. I was also able to speak to the local healthcare workers called ashas and learn more about how they contribute to the wellbeing of those in their community.
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New Beginnings
KV Stanley and ML Parshuram founded Odanadi as a home for trafficked girls and women. Odanadi means close friend, a carefully chosen name that reflects the relationship the founders have with the surviviors. They actively work to uncover sex trafficking operations as well as push for the empowerment of women. One of their main strategies to empower women is by appealing to men to decrease demand. One thing I found especially interesting was their championing of the yoga lifestyle, as this holistic health approach and the desire for nonconsenual sex work are innately at odds. I was fortunate enough to speak to some of the girls, many of whom looked like teenagers. I was met with playful spirits and school girls cracking open new chapters of their lives.
The outside world sees a beauty parlor set up to help formerly trafficked and abused women and girls receive vocational training as well as income.
The beauty parlor is the first building on the property.
Odanadi means close friend in Kannada. The home can house up to 70 girls and maintains a warm and inviting exterior, like visiting a friend's house.
KV Stanley, one of the Founders, offered insight on the creation of Odanadi and the work they do to help trafficked girls and women.
Odanadi houses counselors that work with the survivors to reintegrate them emotionally.
Sprinkled along the walls are quotes to boost morale. This one in particular pushes a hopeful narrative of reintegration.
As part of their healing and a way to generate income, the survivors are encouraged to create art pieces. This small gallery houses their work. The pieces give insight to their emotional states.
An example of a survivor's art piece that hangs in a hallway rather than the gallery. Along with quotes, art pieces are also sprinkled throughout the facility.
We received cards featuring the survivors' art pieces.