Dear friends, I’ve just launched a new blog featuring my novel-in-progress and my upcoming trip to India this winter. I’m writing a novel set in Tamilnadu that addresses many modern issues: caste-based violence, gay rights, and women’s rights. The current title is “She Runs With Crows.” I’ll be back in the Chennai area this winter…
New Glasses
Our rent payment includes a “maid”- she has cleaned our space every day, washed dishes, did laundry and ran errands. Jesse is likely a low caste woman, although I didn’t ask. She is paid about $20 per month for several hours of work six days a week. She is missing an eye; she had an…
A Beautiful Prayer to Sarasvati
My favorite Indian goddess has always been Sarasvati. Sarasvati is the Goddess of Knowledge, Education and Music. She usually wears white and sits on a white lotus with a white swan, all representing purity. She usually has four arms, one or two playing her musical instrument and the other arms holding a book,…
Scofflaw
Indian police are notoriously corrupt. It’s rather amazing to watch traffic and “law and order” police on the streets- they often don’t seem to be doing much. Occasionally one sees a group of officers who have stopped several scooter riders – I’m told that the riders get tickets and the officers pocket the money. A…
Young Indian Lawyers- in preparation
Because I’ve been unable to get access to Indian police or police stations for interviews, I have decided to transform the protagonist in my novel from a police woman to a law student. Law should be a lot more accessible for me to research. Enjoyed meeting a group of Indian law students the other day-…
Absorbing the Beautiful, the Chaotic
I didn’t know yesterday that I was running final errands during the Panguni Festival – a huge event that attracts thousands to the nearby neighborhood surrounding the huge Kapaleeswarar Temple. The ancient, 7 day Panguni Festival falls on a full moon and celebrates divine marriage and human marriage. My taxi driver and I ended up on…
My Final Report
For those who are interested in Student Centered Learning in Colleges, please read my Final Report. This has been shared with faculty and administrators at the colleges where I offered trainings. This report contains recommendations for future implementation. Thanks again to all the wonderful staff, faculty and administrators who supported my work! Final Report- C…
Vignettes of my Fulbright Project: What do Indian Instructors and Students Think About SCL?
As my Fulbright project draws to a close, I’ve put together a slideshow of video vignettes of my Indian colleagues and students responding to “Student Centered Learning” (SCL). I’m so grateful to these wonderful educators and students who are embracing 21st century teaching and learning methods! These are folks who are very ready to move…
Young Friends
It’s been such a delight to make friends with young 20 and 30-something educated Indians! My faculty training has tended to bring me together with somewhat older faculty- but I so much enjoy the energy, enthusiasm, and modern ideas of India’s educated youngsters. Here are some of my new friends: Romila and Kannan Romila teaches…
Cynthia Dettman 