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Bangalore Beckons West
for its Social Movements as well
by Malathi Nayak
Bangalore, Dec 31 (IANS) Even as the "Incredible India" brand
entices tourists with its mysticism and exotica, foreigners are
pouring into Bangalore, often called the country's IT capital, for
other reasons.
Paul Bowler, 19, with his red hair and rubicund complexion,
conspicuously stands out here at a volunteer meeting Dream a Dream,
a non-profit group. Taking time off his academic pursuits, Paul has
come from Germany to volunteer for a year. He is spearheading a
creative art program for the underprivileged kids who include slum
children, runaway street boys and orphans.
"I had an option to choose between military service and social
service. I volunteered in Ecuador before I came to Bangalore to
explore its social sector," he says.
Of late Bangalore, home to major software development companies and
a destination for global outsourcing, has acquired its new mascot -
the construction crane. But the view from any high rise would reveal
the stark contrast between rapid development and marginalization of
the urban poor.
Against this backdrop, the city is home to numerous social
movements, citizen forums and corporate social responsibility
programs started by multinationals like Texas Instruments and Intel.
The volunteering opportunities offered by NGOs dealing with issues
like child rights, women's empowerment, environment and civic
awareness among others are catching the attention of prospective
volunteers from across the world.
Dream a Dream, an NGO that works with underprivileged children in
Bangalore, has welcomed around 10 volunteers from the US, Germany,
Poland and Britain in the last two years alone.
"The Internet is providing us extensive exposure. We receive
responses mostly from young volunteers under 25 but next month we
will be joined by two psychologists from Britain who are over 50,"
Vishal Talreja, director of Dream a Dream, told IANS.
Talking about the contributions of the global volunteers, Talreja
says: "One volunteer from Britain created project management systems
that we have continued using after she left."
Considering the paucity of time and sometimes the lack of
experience, the organizations must ensure that the skills of these
volunteers are put to good use.
"The real value they add to the system is the sensitization through
cultural exchange. Their skills only facilitate this process," he
adds.
Interestingly, the expatriates who come to Bangalore on work for
brief periods have begun combining their interests - work, travel
and volunteering. The Bangalore Expatriate Club is an exclusive
social club, and its members can be spotted at pubs and social
gatherings across the city.
"We wanted our members to contribute to the active social sector in
Bangalore that caught our attention. Our members who had prior
volunteer experience in their homelands supported the idea,"
explains Arvind Chandra, founder of Bangalore Expatriate Club.
"Volunteering to me is not about giving but sharing," says Berenice
Rouyar from France.
After completing a seven-month volunteering stint this year, she now
organizes volunteer activities and fund raising campaigns as part of
the Social Programs of the Bangalore Expatriate Club.
"My mother was upset when I chose India. But when I came to
Bangalore it was quite different from the stereotypes we were
familiar with," she says.
Berenice is all for the cultural diffusion that the city offers and
says she has no qualms in chatting with auto-rickshaw drivers while
she is slowly learning Bangalore's local language, Kannada.
Describing Bangalore's culture, she says, "It's mixed like European
culture and easy to integrate into. The weather too is much better
than other cities in south India."
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