Hey everyone!

I feel like I've already had a summer's worth of experience in New Delhi. This place is chaotic (in both good and bad ways)!! A typical day in New Delhi begins with a quick breakfast and a 5 minute stroll to the Human Rights Law Network office where we all work. Mind you, that 5 minute walk in the grueling Indian sun leaves you drenched in sweat! No worries though, because HRLN is air conditioned (most of the time) and quite comfortable.

When I first started at HRLN, I was a little disappointed to tell you the truth. I felt that I was not getting any direction or supervision, and that the atmosphere of this office was a little disorganized. I realize now many NGOs have an embedded culture of proactiveness and initiative, and that although there are plenty of people to approach for guidance, you have to take steps on your own to get things done. With this understanding I embarked to formulate a project for myself that would be beneficial to my host organization.

I am going to put together an informative research paper on the patent issues of GM seeds in India, which can hopefully be turned into future Public Interest Litigation. Many farmers are being sold these 'magic' seeds with the promise of increased crop yields. These seeds are expensive and have to be purchased year after year. When crops fail (which they do often), farmers are faced with debt they feel they cannot possibly repay. The result is an epidemic of farmer suicides.

On a side note, the debt faced by these farmers are usually only a few thousand dollars, but is impossible to repay due to their meager income. It is astonishing to me that this situation exists in India, especially considering that I saw a Lamborghini Gallardo, Bentley GT coupe, and a Rolls Royce Phantom on the streets of Delhi the other week, all within the span of a few days. There are definitely two India's that exist. To get to upscale restaurants and bars (and yes, there are plenty, and they easily rival some of the nicest bars and lounges in Toronto) you have to walk through what seems to be a dilapidated row of buildings--concrete chipping, stray dogs roaming around, and homeless children begging you for money. A sign jutting out from the wall and a security guard at the front door is the only indication that there is an establishment inside, only you wouldn't know it if you didn't know where to look. I suppose that the dual India that exists was most obvious to me when I saw super cars driving among the sea of rickshaws on the crowded streets of Delhi.
--Jasdeep