Human Resources at Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement

This past summer, I had the privilege of returning to India after five years to work with Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement’s Human Resources team in Mysore. Unlike a lot of my peers, Iam Indian-American and have been to India over ten times. Nonetheless, these six weeks gave me the chance to explore India from a new, purely academic lens and for a purpose other than vacationing in the comfort of my family’s home in Mumbai. I was very interested in the learning about how topics like healthcare, law, and employment were all interrelated in this international setting, and some of the lectures we had during the first week of the program challenged me to think critically about my own beliefs and even question them. 

For me, my decision to come to India meant remaining open minded and understanding that there was much more to gain from this program than just learning about Indian food, clothing, and religious customs – it was about reorienting myself as someone from the outside serving as a member of the Indian workforce. For my project, I was essentially tasked with developing a plan to better SVYM’s recruitment. What most interested me about this project is that I would get a chance to see the administrative side of an NGO, specifically the behind-the-scenes of sourcing talent. I was to collect information about the challenges faced in recruitment, research and analyze how other Indian NGOs attract talent, and create a document detailing ways SVYM could improve their own practices. To help SVYM act on some of my recommended strategies, I also designed visual content for the website, created contact information spreadsheets for potential partnerships, and collected employee testimonials to attest to the work culture. Throughout my project, though, I was mindful of the fact that, despite my observations and research, each of my recommendations had its own advantages and disadvantages based on the resources and desires of SVYM. 

Ultimately, I am grateful for the opportunity to have participated in the ILR Global Service Learning Program this summer and, upon reflecting on my experience, feel that I have grown both professionally and personally. I was able to see firsthand the needs and limitations of the social sector and contribute to SVYM’s mission in developing human capital, while learning a lot about myself along the way.

                                                             -Nidhi

Ayurvedic Medicine at Vivekananda Memorial Hospital

For my project this summer, I was placed at the Vivekananda Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Sargur, India. The roots of my project, however, go back to the first hospital opened by the founders of SVYM, an Ayurvedic hospital in Kenchanahalli (now reconverted to a livelihood center). Although VMH serves principally as a multispecialty hospital with allopathic care and treatment, the Ayurvedic foundation of SVYM's first hospital are not forgotten. An Ayurvedic department at VMH offers therapies, counselling, and treatment for those who seek it. With two medical philosophies under the same roof, there are often areas of confusion or disagreement for patient recommendations. My task was to work with the ayurvedic doctors, medical doctors, and counselling department to create informative materials integrating recommendations for diabetes, pre/post-natal care, and diet. During the creation of the of the posters and flipbooks for patients, I conducted extensive research, spent countless hours shadowing in the outpatient departments, went on field visits, and spoke with many experts at the hospital to obtain a well-rounded understanding of each topic. 

My work and time in India were not limited to just my pre-assigned project, however. I had the chance to MC with other Cornell students at a presentation for newly minted doctors, work on an Ayurvedic-themed calendar to be retailed for 2019, continue the work of a former program attendee on herbal medicine labels, assist in children's yearly checkups at the tribal school in Hosahalli, and travel with the Mobile Health Unit to rural hadi's in Karnataka. I made lasting connections and friendships with doctors, interns, fellow students, the canteen staff, patients, and too many others to name. These past weeks have been incredibly rewarding and challenging, and I have grown professionally, intellectually, spiritually, and personally because of it. I am forever grateful for the incredible warmth, hospitality, and wisdom shared with me by all the people at SVYM. I know I will carry this experience with me for a lifetime. 

-Joanna

HIV Prevention Sustainability Plan

This summer, I had an incredible experience and pleasure of working with Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM) in creating a HIV Prevention Sustainability Plan for migrant workers. The ultimate goal of my project was the reduce the prevalence of HIV among migrant workers in Mysore, India. Due to increasing globalization and industrialization in India, the demand for construction workers has increased, thus also increasing the population of job-seeking migrant workers from rural to urban areas. However, due to their migration status and often low levels of education contributing to unsafe sex practices, migrant workers also serve as the bridge population of HIV between sex workers and the rest of the population. 

Thus, the TI-Migrant Project at SVYM is dedicated to reducing HIV prevalence and increasing HIV awareness among migrant workers in Mysore. My task during my time working on the TI-Migrant Project was to first create a survey tool evaluating the impact of the HIV intervention through interviews and focus group sessions with the migrant workers during field visits. Then, through analyzing the survey data, and comparing the TI-Migrant Project to other HIV prevention interventions in India, I created a sustainability plan to promote HIV prevention behaviors among the migrant workers. 

This project has been incredibly meaningful to me and I am extremely proud to have been able to be a part of a team towards the ultimate goal of making the world a healthier place. 

-Rui

The Devaraja Market

The Devaraja Market is a cite of dozens of local vendors in the city of Mysore.  Here, you can bargain with vendors for a great deal on essential oils, holi powder, soaps, flowers, fruits, grains, spices, jewelry, and more.  The air is filled with excitement, shouting, laughter, and haggling over every last rupees.  

I especially enjoyed going to the oil vendors; they all have a vast selection of oils to choose from, some with special properties like stress reduction, sleep aid, and alleviation of body pain.  The Mysore Herbal oil smells better than any perfume I’ve ever bought in a U.S. department store, and the Blue Moon oil smells like an expensive male cologne. Overall, the Devaraja Market is a great way to experience Mysore in its purest and most unfiltered forms.  I recommend a stop to this collection of local vendors if you are ever in the area.  

-Wyndham

Prerepana Project

My project focused on evaluating the impact of the de-addiction services that SVYM provides to seven slum project areas in Mysore as part of Phase II of their Prerepana Project.  This involved field visits to these slum districts and interviews with recovering addicts, their families, and their friends.  In the interviews, I asked respondents about their drinking habits, earnings, the amount of money they spend on alcohol, their health condition, and their relationship to their families before and after their involvement with SVYM. I organized all of the data that I collect into a pdf document where each page is table with the results from the interviews.  The numerical data that was collected was then put into a spreadsheet, so that data analysis could be done.  This data analysis culminated into a report that discussed the impact of SVYM’s de-addiction services.  I found that those who were able to receive help for their addiction through SVYM’s services experienced an overall decrease in alcohol consumption, an increase in daily earnings, a decrease in daily spending on alcohol, an increase in daily spending on the family or savings, and a decrease in health issues. This suggests that SVYM’s de-addiction services have made a positive impact in the project areas they serve.  

In addition to this report, I wrote another report that discussed strategies to prevent youth substance abuse in the seven project areas.  As part of this report, I created a pdf file with suggestions for posters that could be put up around the community as part of an anti-drinking media campaign.  

Overall, I learned a lot about addiction, myself, and my privilege through my experiences in the field.  The opportunity to meet women who are struggling to raise a family with alcoholic husbands while simultaneously joining community-based empowerment groups was truly inspiring.  I cannot wait to apply what I have learned in India to my coursework at Cornell and beyond. 

-Wyndham

Malikul Muhamad BSILR'20, Labor Law

This summer I had the fortunate opportunity to visit India and work with Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement and Purushotham & Associates. It was truly a humbling experience and I loved every moment—well almost every. Throughout the trip, I faced my share of challenges and I have grown so much as a result. 

As part of the program, I had two projects to study working conditions in factories and hotel establishments and alternative dispute resolution processes in India and suggest improvements to the current systems. Right from the start of working with the firm, I realized how much I would learn as I was able to be a part of a mock bargaining case with a local college and attend an actual bilateral meeting between management and union representatives. From then, I was able to sit in on client meetings, listening to HR managers discuss their issues and sometimes even giving my own insights, and attend court case hearings where I was able to see actual labor and employment cases being tried in person. I did reflect a lot on the value of my projects, specifically because the results of my projects were not as tangible as some of my peers, but I eventually realized the importance of what I was doing and the importance of the educational aspect behind them. Presenting my final deliverables and seeing the smile on the Purushotham’s faces was an incredible feeling, knowing I had made them proud.

Being in India was an invaluable experience, particularly because I was able to grow professionally, academically, and personally. Because of my time with Mr. Purushotham, I have learned so much about alternative dispute resolution, Indian labor laws, Indian factory working conditions, and HR concepts. I have also learned how to work in difficult situations and with different individuals that are not like myself, and I have learned how to get the most information from someone in the matter of 3 minutes (I’m talking about you, Mr. Purushotham). But above all, I learned what it means to emphasize with others, care deeply for them, and how to be compassionate. Seeing the hardships people face in India has really impacted the way I see things and I hope I can bring this same compassion to the U.S. with me. I hope I can use this experience to inspire other Cornell students to apply and come to India and be a part of something greater than just a resume builder. This experience has truly been a rewarding one and I will take it with me wherever I go.

Meet Raju 

Meet Raju. This man has been so incredible throughout my experience, and I hope I can say everyone else’s as well. Raju is the SVYM trusted auto-rickshaw driver that had to deal with our indecisive, confusing, and partially chaotic behinds on an almost daily basis. From driving us to Big Bazaar or to the gardens, Raju is the reason many of us had an enjoyable experience in India. For me personally, I was able to get to know Raju on a personal basis from our daily rides to and from the Purushotham office. I was able to talk to Raju about my project, Indian and geopolitical topics, the current state of affairs of the prime minister, the caste system in India, and about his and my family. From our daily rides, political talks, and samosa breaks, and meeting his adorable little girl Dhanvi, it is safe to say, Raju is one of the main reasons I loved being in India and I could not have imagined my trip without him.

-Malikul Muhamad

Eid in India

With over ten percent of India’s 1.3-billion-person population, it is no surprise that India is the third largest Muslim country. Even despite this fact, I had never imagined I’d see so many people cramped in one mosque.

I celebrated Eid Al-Fitr in Mysore, India this year—away from my family and local community. This was a very new experience for me largely because this was the first time I’d experience Eid away from home. But being able to experience another country’s culture and Eid celebration was worth the separation.

On this day of Eid, I wore my khorta and silk pants that I had gotten from Big Bazaar and was dropped off by Raju to attend the prayer. I had no idea what the Mosque nor the prayer would be like. It was an interesting experience walking with the crowd of nearly ten thousand people and climbing up the seemingly mountain of a hill where the Mosque sat to obtain a prayer spot. It was a little overwhelming. But, it was a beautiful sight. 

There were a couple things that I did struggle with, however. I quickly learned that women are sadly not allowed to enter mosques in India. It was difficult for me to wrap my head around and I felt extremely guilty for going, especially when a female Muslim student from Iowa was not allowed to come. I realized that the dissonance I was facing was a result of my adjustment to a different a culture and a different interpretation of Islam, but it left me with so many questions. Upon returning from the mosque, I did some research and talked to locals to get their perspective and understanding on this topic. I still may not agree with that interpretation of the religion, but I at least understand the local viewpoint and respect their cultural ways.

            I am really fortunate and equally glad I was able to experience Eid in this new culture. I was able to admire the beauty of Mysore and the mosque and the so many different people, listen to the khutbah (lecture), even despite not understanding any of it because it was in Kannada, and I got to spend the rest of the day with my cohort sharing this experience with them.

-Malikul Muhamad