Finally, the day has come where the Focus India Delegation could take off to India. On April 6, 2017, the students gathered at Zurich Airport to head to their first destination: Delhi.
We arrived safely around midnight in India and headed straight to the hotel.
The very first point on the program was the Embassy of the Switzerland in India. We were welcomed by Dr. Ghoose and we were invited to a delicious networking lunch. Ms Riccarda Chanda kicked off the afternoon by explaining to us her duties as a diplomat and the Swiss-Indian relationship. Mr Nakul Saxena continued talking about doing business in India. He lined out how the whole digitalisation process, especially on identification, should make life easier. A special focus was set on Aadhaar, a 12-digit unique-identity number issued to all residents based on their biometric and demographic data. The visit at the embassy was closed by Mr Pallav Sinha, talking about India and how Digital India improves the innovation and start-up landscape within India.
After these very insightful speeches we headed straight to Blaser Swisslube, the joint partner of all four international projects. The company welcomed us warmly with some delicious Samosas and Mooti Choor, an Indian delight. Mr Punit Gupta Manager of Blaser Swisslube India, talked about the products of his company and how they experience working as Indians in a Swiss family business and how they are coping with the two different cultures.
To finish a first, but jet lagged, day, the delegation was invited for dinner. In the restaurant, the delegates had the chance to discuss the first impressions of the trip and to have fluffy Naan with spicy and less spicy Indian dishes.
The second day started early at 6.30 in the morning, as we were visiting an UNESCO heritage, that many of us had on their bucket list: the famous Taj Mahal. To trigger the real Indian experience off, we took the train to get to Agra. As we spent the first day mainly in the bus or companies, it was fascinating to change the point of view by travelling with the locals. Already, when we left the bus in front of the station, some of us felt lost in the crowd of Indians looking at us as complete strangers. On the platform men were carrying huge packages of food, pushing wagons with huge sacks stacked on it and there were women wearing beautiful saris with their children smoothly sneaking through the mass of people. Others were jumping on the already packed train and some were walking between the rails to collect rubbish. Our train was made mainly for tourists travelling to the Taj, as it was very comfortable and heading only to Agra. Once arrived in Agra, the air was torrid as the sun was burning from the sky. A bus ride and one bottle of water later, we had to take another bus that brought us finally to the famous Taj Mahal. This was again a very Indian experience: All 27 delegates were supposed to fit in a mini bus made for max. 15 people. Our guide provided us with further information on the history of the maharajas and the Taj Mahal itself (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/252). This mausoleum is an incredible building and one of India’s most iconic landmarks. Inside the palace, it was very busy with tourists, of which the majority were Indians itself. The temperature reached about 40 degrees. In the afternoon, Red Fort was on the program. Another UNESCO heritage with a whispering chamber, which almost worked better than a telephone.
This was the last visit of the day and we headed back to the train station of Agra. The train-experience was fascinating and hopefully everybody will appreciate the Swiss railway system much more once we are back home. After a sweaty and impressive day in Agra, we arrived after a two hours train ride in Delhi. But nobody knew yet that the most interesting part was still waiting for us. To reach our bus 27 western people had to be guided through the busy streets of Delhi. A composition of honking Rikshaws and cars, bargaining people at street markets, even an open-air hairdressing saloon and many different smells.
Finally, on the bus, you could see tired, some sunburned but very happy faces. Once arrived at the hotel the delegates were off for the evening enjoying themselves, before we were leaving on Sunday to our second destination Bangalore!