Sunday, June 5, 2011

On our own in Rajastan


Shenetta Payne shows off her new nose ring. It's just a clip-on, by the way.

On Friday, we had a day to explore Jaipur on our own. Since ASU International Programs director Carl Lindquist knew Jaipur, he suggested shopping for souvenirs and handicrafts, for which the city is famous.

We made a list of places to visit, and the hotel manager called up a small fleet of three motorized  rickshaws, or “Tatas,” the little three-wheeled, two-passenger taxis found throughout India.  We had their services for 300 rupees, or about $8, for four hours. Our drivers were Dinesh, "Super" Salim, and Srinivas Gropal.

Srinivas Gropal drives through Jaipur traffic in his three-wheeled motorized rickshaw.
See and hear what it's like to ride with him at the following link:


My driver, Srinivas Gropal, explained that the taxis are a major mode of transportation for working Indians, business people and tourists. He said he had operated the same little vehicle since 1991, when he was a chauffeur for a French tourist who bought the car for him after she went home.

Since we started our expedition before most retail outlets opened, Mr. Gropal took us to a vintage art dealer, who specialized in hand-made prints and paintings, largely in the style of Mughal-era miniatures, on antique parchment paper, often a century old.

We then shopped at several local stores for gifts, including a government co-op, Rajasthali, that provides space for local merchants, at which we bought kurtas, the stylized Indian shirts, saris, the famous Indian dresses, and other items.

Kalee Haywood tries on a traditional Indian sari at a cooperative store in Jaipour. Local clothing makers sell their products through the co-op.

On our way back to the hotel, Mr. Gropal, hearing that we wanted to support local businesses, brought us to a local jeweler, Vishnu Gems, which provides a portion of its profits to help the many beggars and street people in the city.

Shenetta Payne, Kalee Haywood and Kate Zibluk look at jewelry at Vishnu Gems in Jaipur.



Kalee Haywod tries on amethyst earrings to go with an amethyst ring.

Sara E. McNeil shows off a diamond ring. Jewelry in Jaipur sells for a fraction of retail prices in the U.S. and Europe.

Baba Singh, manager of  Vishnu’s, reminded us that mining and jewelry are among the top businesses in Rajastan, and customers from throughout the world, notably Europe, come to buy jewels and jewelry at a fraction of their retail costs. By buying jewelry in bulk, trips to Rajastan are actually a profit-making proposition to many jewelry suppliers worldwide.


Baba Singh, manager of Vishnu Gems, shows off a solid silver earring.  Singh's company donates a portion of its profits to help beggars and street people in Jaipur. It also employs local artisans to design and make jewelry.

Singh also noted that he employs several young jewelry designers in Jaipur to train them and help them start their own businesses.

While members of our group said they spent a little more money than expected, Singh pointed out that the jewelry will only appreciate in value and that buyers had the option of re-selling the merchandise back home.

“It’s a real investment in the future, at least,” he said.



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