Twenty three-year-old Amrita Sahay has just returned from her first trip to India, and guess what she wants to do now? Yes, she wants to go back and see more of the world’s biggest democracy.
Amrita, of Hamilton, was the only New Zealander among a group of 40 from around the world selected to participate in the programme which was run by the Overseas Indian Affairs Department.
The programme is designed to cater for young people of Indian origin who have never visited the sub-continent.
Originally from Fiji, Amrita toured various parts of India with others from 16 different countries, including Trinidad & Tobago, Fiji, Malaysia, Chile, Russia, Netherlands, South Africa, Canada, United Kingdom, Argentina, Surinam and Zimbabwe.
Amrita, who is a graphic design graduate, said she was blown away by everything that she saw in India.
“I was just overwhelmed,” Amrita told the Indian Weekender. “It was just another experience.
“There’s just so must to see. It doesn’t seem much when you hear or read about things in India, but when you actually see for yourself, it just blows you away.”
While she was impressed by the Taj Mahal, Amrita was equally fascinated with her visits to Gateway of India, Parliament, palaces, heritage places, Gandhi Memorial, age-old temples adorned with intricate art, universities, wineries, farms and the people.
“Too much to see, not enough time,” said Amrita who was away for three weeks.
“I do want to go back and this time, the family’s going with me.”
Amrita said while she made lots of new friends, it was an eye-opening experience for her in the sense that many Indians scattered throughout the world knew little about their cultures.
“Some didn’t even speak Hindi. Indians from Fiji are lucky that most speak Hindi and do know a great deal about their cultures and also practice it.
“The experience has definitely broadened my knowledge.”
Amrita said she was grateful to the organizers that the tour was well organized and that they felt secure at all times.
Although they did not have a chance to visit Bollywood, she definitely would have loved to see Shah Rukh Khan or other big stars in person.
“Oh well, next time.”