We will be collaboratively writing a summary of the trip to India.  You can edit this page.

     7508 miles--that is the distance which a small group of undergraduate business students from Indiana University were forced to overcome in their trek from Chicago to New Delhi. The students prevailed in their journey--a journey that would place the students in a country so different that it changed the very lens through which they see the world. They traveled the distance, learned many of the customs of Indian culture and developed further knowledge of this "emerging market." As one of these students I can assure you that this was no small task. This wiki is a testament to the experiences of myself and my peers in the nation of India. Each paragraph presents the reader with a different outlook on the Indian world, as each paragraph is written by a different individual. It is through this method which we hope to adequately document our trip, as it is the only way in which all of our personal encounters with India can be displayed. So read, enjoy, and learn what we have learned.

Our Time Traveling (Buses and Airplanes)

     A large part of our trip was spent traveling in some facet or another.  From our bus tours around the cities of Bangalore or Delhi, or our five hour extravaganza each way to Agra, or our experiences in Indian airports, time was almost invaluable.  Although it is not a part of our trip that was widely reflected upon by the group as a whole, it was quite a learning experience.  We learned in class and were told about the poor state of the Indian infrastructure, yet our times in the bus gave us the oppurtunity to assess and evaluate the infrastructure.  Though our trips took a long time, they were not quite as bad as we had envisioned them; the time seemed to pass by rather quickly.  One incredibly interesting aspect was the fact that Indian motorists knew no bounds:  sidewalks, medians, and even other motorists or pedestrians did not seem to stop some truly daring maneuvers.  But at many points we saw where they were trying to improve infrastructure, whether it was from signs along the streets urging motorists to "obey lane discipline" or from the constant construction of the Metro line in Delhi which they are hoping to complete by the beginning of the Commonwealth Games.  Another very valuable aspect of our time spent in the buses was our ability to truly take in our surroundings--or at least attempt to.  At times, especially in the cities (our time touring Old Delhi sticks out), there was so much activity around us, it was difficult to witness and absorb everything.  It was also a great way to compare different areas of the country (city vs. rural setting, Delhi vs. Agra vs. Bangalore vs. Mysore).  The airports were also quite a culture shock.  Suprisingly, heavy military presence was visible everywhere.  In my travels throughout the United States, Canada, Spain, and now Belgium, I had never witnessed anything similar to the many men holding huge guns.  Everything else in the airport seemed to be pretty similar and not that shocking. The final distinguishing characteristic about our trip was airplane industry.  The domestic flights on Jet Airways were similar to that of most domestic flights in the United States; however, our legs from Chicago-Brussels-Delhi and Mumbai-Brussels-Newark were quite more luxurious than other flights I had been on.  Even flying from the United Sates to Spain, there seemed to be a higher standard for the Jet Airways flights.  This was quite a surprise considering that India is still a developing nation, but it shows that luxury can still be found in the country (for instance, at our hotels).  All in all, though sometimes the travel could be long, we truly appreciate the innumerable lessons learned while traveling, especially while window watching from the bus.  

Tour of Delhi/Shopping in Delhi

     Touring Delhi was the group’s first look at India.  Although touring the city gave us a comprehensive look at the city’s rich history, it was also an eye opening experience which told of the country’s current conditions. Everything about Delhi was measurably different from any place I had previously been.  Coming from a relatively young country, it is interesting to see a city so rich in landmarks and historical sites which even predate our country’s existence. The stark contrast between the poverty and desperation of the people and the burgeoning growth of the country was hard to swallow.  Delhi was full of startling contrasts that served as inspiration for substantial questions when speaking with the Minister of Commerce. These contrasts also allowed us to place the NGO’s we later visited in a larger context, which facilitated a greater understanding of the country and its society.

     Shopping in Delhi was also a new experience for the group.  The shopping area was an open air market, Dilli Haat, but the colors and wares were much more vibrant and diverse than I expected. The actual shopping itself served as a hands-on lesson in micro-economics as we discovered what nearly perfect competition is.  Most of us were not well-versed in haggling and as such we had an a awkward first-time exercise in determining limit prices as we strove to get our personal demand curve to intersect with the vendor's supply curve. In the United States, we presume fixed prices but in India we were part of a system of nearly perfect price discrimination. Learning how to barter for our shopping goods was difficult for some of us, but it was a fun experience that resulted in several funny purchases. 

Humayun Tomb

     While in Dehli, we visited Humayun Tomb.  Because (as the guide told us) the structure of double gates that Taj used originated from the Humayan Tomb, from the distance, it sort of looked like a smaller and more masculine Taj. Humayan tomb seemed ironic in two ways. First is that it was decorated with the Star of David, which is the symbol for a very different, if not opposite, religion. As we have seen throughout the trip, religion is deeply immersed within the life in India. No matter where we look, our eyes will catch something related to Hinduism or Muslim. Since that was the case, we thought one's tomb will be covered with religious meanings but a king's tomb was decorated with another religion's symbol. We were initially very confused by the Star of David even after the guide explained that the symbol was popular at that time. The second ironic feature of this tomb is the steep stairs. The King Humayan died because he stepped on his own gown and fell down the stairs but the steps to get to his tomb is precipitous. When we visited Humayun Tomb, it seemed like it was the hottest part of the day, so we all enjoyed the garden and shadows of trees very much.

Qutab Minar 

     Another one-of-a-kind item found in Dehli is the Qutab Minar. Standing at 238 ft, this minaret was started and completed by two different Muslim kings. The minaret had been built as a victory tower. The first Muslim ruler began construction in red sandstone, while the ruler after completed the tower with white marble. Though the pillar contains steps to its top, due to an accident involving tourists years back the entrance has been sealed. It would have been nice to be able to get to its top. The column is made mostly of brick, though lighter colored stones indicated where the statue had been renovated in recent years. Surrounding the minaret are a series of temple ruins, which adds to the awe of the column as it stands perfectly intact hundreds of feet above in many ways complete destruction. Qutab Minar has an immense amount of detailed carvings, from boarders and geometric shapes to entire verses from the Qur'an. It was mind boggling to imagine the amount of time these detailed carvings must have taken, and how the minaret could have been assembled so long ago without modern technology and machinery.  

Visit to Agra (Taj and Agra Fort)

     Our second day in India took us to Agra.  Visiting Agra was truly eye-opening. Hot, but amazing nonetheless.  Being able to actually see the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort, and knowing all the effort that went into their construction, was truly astounding. It's hard to imagine anyone living in such a grandiose manner, especially when most of the space is outside. And poor Shah Jahan, being locked in the fort. The majority of the class hadn't really understood the significance of where he was - just across from the Taj Mahal. It certainly stood out from the surrounding area! And seeing the Taj Mahal in all its beauty was truly amazing. Shah Jahan had built the Taj Mahal as a tomb for his favorite wife, Mumtaz Mahal. The structure itself combines Indian, Persian, Arabic, and Islamic designs. The Taj Mahal is extremely geometric in its interior and exterior designs, and a second mosque had to even be built next the the Taj Mahal to achieve architectural balance. Unfortunately, as we also learned from the tour guide, although Shah Jahan truly loved his wife, he was described as quite a cruel man. He ordered mutilations and deaths of several architects and craftsmen of the Taj Mahal so that the constructions would never be replicated. But even so, Shah Jahan will always be remembered in history for building on of the greatest masterpieces of the world.

Visit to the Maruti-Suzuki facility

     While in Dehli we had our first business visit to Maruti-Suzuki.  Maruti Suzuki is one of the most successful car companies in India, accounting for over 50% of the market share. They specialize in low cost, basic cars which are mostly sold around the villages of India. It is amazing to think that a full car can be assembled in as little as 8-10 hours. Although I have never been to a plant in the US, it is my understanding that different plants perform different parts of the assembly line; this is incredibly different from what I observed in India. Another interesting difference to what I am used to is the lack of advertising Maruti employs. Since their product is low-cost and basic, it markets itself, especially to a lower-class consumer base which is constantly increasing its buying. Muruti’s model for production can only work in India. It has been specialized with the country’s customer base and production capabilities in mind. The model would vastly differ if Maruti was located in the US or some other more developed country. For instance, the two hour delivery of new materials is a solution to failing and unpredictable infrastructure. In an environment where infrastructure does not pose a problem, the model would not be necessary and might even prove inefficient. This leads me to the conclusion that a business model, especially in supply chain planning, has to be specialized and considerate of the needs and constraints of the specific business. One of my assumptions about Indian businesses was also proven false. I had expected that Westerners would occupy management positions at Indian companies. This turned out to be completely false –  we did not see a single Westerner at Maruti. The unexpected lesson proved to me that sometimes we can be small-minded and arrogant as to our abilities compared to other cultures. 

Meeting the minister of commerce

     Following our business visit, the group enjoyed meeting with the minister of commerce, Mr Anand Sharma, and hearing his views about the diverse and complex problems facing India and the world today.  Clearly he had a strong understanding of the importance of global approaches to global problems.  When questioned why he seemed so passionate about global approaches, he responded that India's global perspective is a product of India's diverse history as a culture and society.  In addition, I was surprised to hear that India's spread between the wealthiest to the poorest is actually better than the United States (see Gini index and Gini index for countries in the world), but clearly India's ability to raise the standard of living for the poorest Indians will be paramount to their success economically and morally as a nation.  When referencing improvement strategies, he frequently used the phrase 'inclusive sustainable growth.' Eradicating poverty is a high priority, with an emphasis on allowing Indian's in every class the ability to experience the benefits of an improved infrastructure. Growth should be seen and experienced by every citizen as well as future generations for many years to come.  He was adamant about economic growth but also about democracy, which he said was China's most significant misgiving.  Without democracy, the people in poverty would be forgotten, but with democracy all people have hope for a better future if they fight for it assiduously.  

Tour of Bangalore

     After spending three days in Dehli, the group took an early morning flight to Bangalore.  Bangalore has a completely different feel from that of New Delhi.  The entire population seems to have a bit more of a bounce in their step.  The overall feel of Bangalore seems to be much more optimistic about the current situation in india.  The impoverished seem less held down by their poverty, though still the poverty is overwhelming.  Bangalore is the place in which we can actually see major progress being made and where we come to understand what is meant when India is called an "emerging economy." The new office buildings and new apartment buildings are being built everywhere.  Also to note, this is one of the first times that we have seen actual middle-class housing (as opposed to stark contrasts between shacks and mansions in Delhi).  Taking the tour of Bangalore, we see the various sites around the city.  We visit temples as well as driving past churches and down major thoroughfares. Advertisements on the walls are more modern and western looking. The spirit of progress and growth is overwhelming on this tour. Perhaps contributing to the new clarity that our tour of Bangalore brings, the climate is much more temperate. Finally, we are in temperatures that are not unbearable, and we can finally relax and enjoy the scenery instead of dwelling on how much we are sweating.

     On our tour of  Bangalore we also stopped at the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens. This is a very large garden that stretches for miles and includes many different scenic areas. At the beginning of this tour we were taken on top of  a hill made of rocks to a small temple that was at the peak. The most amazing part of this was that this temple has an amazing view of the city of Bangalore and of the garden itself. It was truly breathtaking. After this we continued our tour of the garden and passed many trees that looked as if they had been there for thousands of years. We also saw a rose garden and some of the tallest pine trees that I had ever seen. However, what I found to be most amazing about this garden, and even about the city of Bangalore, was the strong American influence. This American influence was shown in an area in the garden dedicated to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs that included statues of all of the characters. It was astounding to me how American culture has affected Indian culture in such a strong way. Finally, we completed our tour of the garden and just in time since it started to rain as we were heading to the bus.

     Getting to see the garden was an important link to the history of Bangalore. Our tour guide told us that Bangalore is known as the Garden City, but in talking with him more in depth, that title has lost some meaning in recent years. Bangalore was once a city that people from all over India would come to for rest and relaxation, and even to nurse back health, but with the influx of IT companies in recent years the city has grown and become more modern, and with this comes more pollution. At Infosys, they told us the reason they built their campus so far outside of the city was to stay away from the pollution, but it has become clear that many people in the city are realizing the the harmful effects the IT growth is bringing to Bangalore, and they're starting to look for ways to combat the pollution, rather than just avoid it. Getting to see this beautiful garden that still rest in the middle of the city gave us a glimpse of what Bangalore once was, and hopefully will continue to be.

Visit to Infosys

     One of the most exciting companies we visited while in Bangalore was Infosys.  Infosys was incredibly impressive. When we first arrived, we were served a great lunch with white linens.  After we finished eating, we went on a cart tour of the campus.  The lawns were pristine, flowers were blooming, and the basketball court was empty.  Apparently, everyone was able to avoid temptation and get their work done during the day despite all the great amenities offered at Infosys.  The campus is huge; the 50th building was just completed, and over 20,000 people are employed in Bangalore alone.  To match its trendy IT ambiance, the architecture was modern and creative.  Buildings and fountains were built in a style that screams innovation.  The question and answer part was fun because we were in a room that was used for serious meetings and discussions.  It was also very informative, and our guide was very committed to making sure our questions were answered.  I think everyone noticed that the theme song for the promotional video could use a little attention.  It was very strange and attempted to put way too much information about Infosys' business model into a tune.  Infosys trains its own employees for six months before they start working.  I thought it was interesting that they took so much time and money to make sure their education was up to Infosys's high standards.  Any company that puts that much importance on its employees sets itself up for success.  They attract the highest talent and about 300,000 applicants a year.  That number speaks for itself; Infosys is a great company to get involved with both as an employee or a company with software consulting needs.

Visit to 24/7

     Another Indian company we visited while in Bangalore was 24/7. My favorite business visit was our visit to 24/7. I am always impressed by the quality of assistance I receive when I talk to a customer service representative in India and I was curious about how the training differs from call centers here in the US and in India. We learned that all employees are trained in pronunciation and cultural differences as well as the program they will be working with.  It surprised me how much time is spent on culture, but this part of the training is probably what makes the difference in quality of assistance.  Also, it was interesting to note that 24/7 had 2 shifts of employees working all through the night.  Because of the unfavorable hours and other factors, the average time an employee spends at the company is about two and a half years.  It is amazing that 24/7 is still able to be so efficient despite the large amount of training for their employees and the short length of employment.  However, it is obvious that 24/7's success does not come by chance.  They are a very customer oriented company that is always looking to make their clients and customers completely satisfied.  On our visit, you could tell that they took pride in their company and were always striving to make the "24/7 difference" while incorporating their companies strong values.  24/7 even worked hard to make the employees happy by designing the building based on employee suggestions.  We had a great experience at 24/7 and I know that we will not look at call centers in the same way. 

Visit to Target and retail in Bangalore 

     We also had the opportunity to contrast Target, an American company, with the previous Indiana companies we had seen. Our visit with Target-India’s

offices and employees in India was one of our most insightful experiences.   They had a lot to teach us about the advantages of conducting business in India as well as how Indian retail differs from the United States.  For example, Target uses the time zone difference to work in their favor.  At the end of the day in the U.S., an employee can send an email to another Target employee in India requesting the goals for them to accomplish.  The employees in India will work on the project throughout the day and send the finished product back over to the U.S. before the employees here are even awake yet.  This allows Target to finish products with much more time efficiency. 

     The Target employees also took us on a tour that allowed to us to get a first-hand look at how retail stores differ in India.  What we found was that Indian stores are very small and usually specialize in selling many different items.  They try to fit as many different products in the small space allotted them as possible.  Portions of snacks, drinks, and other items are usually only single-serving size.  Also, dining areas of restaurants are often small and require customers to stand at a table while they eat or drink.  India’s massive population ends up affecting how people do business on a daily basis.

Visit to Akshara Foundation and the public school in Bangalore

     In addition to seeing large corporations, we also had the opportunity to visit small NGOs.  The time which we spent with the Akshara Foundation

served as an eye opening experience which showed just how blessed we are. The Akshara Foundation serves as an inspiration as they expand and aide more children than ever before. Their goal to provide each child with adequate reading material is slowly coming true. This meant undertaking publishing their own book series to ensure ever child has an opportunity to take home a book to practice reading. Upon visiting the public school, it was encouraging to see how happy all of the kids were, despite some of their situations. Everyone appeared to be making the most out of what little they had, which is a lesson I hope to never forget.

     One thing that I think was great about what the Akshara Foundation is doing, is that they are focused on creating solutions that will fix problems within the confines of a system that already exists. They aren't just applying a bandage to a wound. By creating a model for schools and teachers to follow and by taking innovative steps toward making educational materials more affordable, they seek to make the education systems already in place function effectively without their help.

     This visit was probably my favorite during the trip because I felt that it was the one time we really got to see the "real" India.  They were everyday people living their lives and we got to walk around where they lived and carried out their lives.  Interacting with the children was also great and I was actually surprised how warm and open they were to us.  It was neat to see them in a school environment; something so familiar was still so new to us. Seeing the library and books we had heard so much about amounted to a small room with a few computers and a small, cluttered cabinet of miscellaneous books. When we interacted with the students, I expected them to be much more shy and hesitant in approaching us, but they were just as curious and excited to see us as we were to see them.

Visit to Felix Foundation and the orphanage

     We also interacted with students while visiting the Felix Foundation.  Playing field hockey with the children at the Felix Foundation (founded by Jude Felix) was an incredible experience. Being able to immerse ourselves into their daily activities was rewarding and eye opening. They were so appreciative of and content with their resources. The boys I spoke with both seemed very determined and proud to wear their uniforms. It was inspiring to see the family they formed. On the wall of the orphanage hung a poster picturing a boy giving a piggyback ride with the quote, "He is not heavy, he is my brother." This attitude was also demonstrated on the field where everyone helped each other and worked together. Although the kids may not have a biological family, they treat each other like siblings. The former Olympians and professional field hockey players treated these boys as their own sons, adding to the compassion of the group. Seeing an organization that gives children opportunities and an education they otherwise would not have been able to receive was amazing. Personally, the orphanage we visited meant more than any other orphanage I have visited because it prvides more than food and bed; the orphanage was giving those children hope, something that makes children smile. Harry, the smallest boy in the hockey team, attracted my attention. He was so small that he seemed like he is only 8 or 9. He is 15 years old but because of uncertain reason (the coach thinks it is from stress.) his body stopped growing. I had hard time just imagining the difficulty that Harry faced as a little boy. One thing that surprised me the most is, though, his smile is brighter than any other boys in that team. I only know his name and age, but he touched my heart. I do not think I will ever forget the visit and am hoping to continue to keep in touch with him.

Visit to Mysore

     We ended our trip with a visit to see historic Mysore.  The palace at Mysore was one of the most majestic structures I have ever seen.  It was absolutely breathtaking to see every inch of the palace covered in paintings of the long and rich history of India.  As America is a relatively young country, it was very interesting to see how a history-filled country like India is so connected and aware of her heritage and making. I enjoyed seeing more modern historical structures--the Mysore Palace was completed in 1912, and the Lalitha Mahal was finished in 1921. It was interesting to contrast the architecture of places like Agra Fort to places with British influence on the design.

     Our tour guide informed us that the royal family of Mysore occupied the whole palace until the 1960's and actually still resides in a section of the palace, far removed from the tourist sites. It was amazing to see the views offered of the city and the surrounding grounds from the various terraces of the palace and one could not help and feel like royalty when walking amongst artifacts worth unimaginable sums. However, it was a stark reality check when we walked outside the palace and saw poverty all around us. It is difficult to imagine living in such lavish conditions while others are surviving with very little. 

Meeting with IIMB Students

     While staying at the Le Meridian in Bangalore, we had the opportunity to interact with actual IIM-Bangalore (IIMB) students in a relaxed context.  It was eye opening to meet some of the brightest business minds in India and how motivated they were to succeed in the business world.  The conversations at dinner ranged from Indian financial institutions to soccer and cricket.  Moreover, it was wonderful to see that the IIMB students, although at the MBA level, were also interested in our lives and how we ended up at Indiana University.  Many of the students we met with were involved with campus organizations similar to those offered at the Kelley School so it was interesting to see the similarities and differences between the two.  Most of the students had engineering backgrounds so it was great hearing how they hope to leverage their technical skills to help their business career. 

     The trip was an incredible experience for all of the students.  Being introduced to the business processes and traditions in India in such an immersive way was a truly unique experience. The insights we gained into international business helped us to better understand common economic principles. While the organized business-education activities taught us an incredible amount, equally informative were the everyday activities we took advantage of. While we found things like bargaining for goods and telling taxis how much we would pay them rather than vice versa bizarre, we also came to find that this economic system works well. While many people think places should be like they are in their home country, in our case the US, this trip showed us that there are many ways to have an efficient, well-functioning society.  The India trip gave us experiences that will help shape us into more responsible global citizens as we begin to choose our future studies and careers and has truly helped us grow as both students and people.