Water Scarcity in Rural India: Winter 2023-24

Day 1 at Sehgal Foundation

The first day in India we went to Seghal Foundation's headquarters in Gurugram. Here, we listened to presentations about SMSF's work and projects. We then learned how to use the sensors we would be using in the field in the following weeks.

Day 2 - Sehgal Foundation Call Center

Olivia: Our first stop was a Sehgal Foundation call center that has been in operation for 24 years. It works to connect villages to the government so that they can receive the resources they need.

Visit to Untka Public School

Olivia: Next, we visited a government school. The first thing I noticed was how colorful it was; the brick pillars were painted orange, yellow, blue, and green, and there were murals spread across the outer walls. While there, we learned about the school’s pressurized recharge well, its benefits, and the challenges it faces. Perhaps the most heartwarming aspect of the trip, however, was interacting with the kids.

Kotla Check Dam & First Sample Run

Olivia: Our last stop was Mewat, where we had our first data collection experiences. Many local villagers stared at us as we moved past, which is something I’ve never experienced before. It made me so happy every time someone would reciprocate our smiles and waves.

Step Well on the Way

After visiting the check dam, we stopped to see a 800 year old step well. Step wells are ancient storage tanks/wells not only to provide access to water during dry periods, but also a place for retreat, rest stop, worship and gatherings. This step well is being rejuvenated by the local community. This well has four levels. Many locals joined us as we explored the well.

Day 3 - Split teams

Ellie M: The second day of sampling was a little different than the first. Today we split up into two groups: one group went out into the field to finish sampling the Mewat district and the other went to the Sehgal Foundation for an Intro to Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Day 4 - Wildlife SOS

Alana: At the elephant sanctuary, they showed the class a mini documentary about the torture entertainment elephants have to endure to become “domesticated”. It was shocking and horrifying. I was not aware of this practice of giving the baby elephant lot of love and then torturing it so it becomes so afraid of you it does what ever it is told. It made me sick. But then we got to see the elephants and it was so heartwarming to hear about their personalities, favorite foods and best friends. It restored my faith in humanity a little bit.

Taj Mahal

Claire W: As we embarked through the bustling crowds that surrounded the Taj Mahal, it was surprisingly easy to find a sense of peace as we appreciated this work of art as a group. I can’t help but agree with Rudyard Kipling when he noted that the Taj Mahal was “the embodiment of everything pure” as the white marble and beautiful stonework work to create such a stunning mausoleum. This first sightseeing stop was truly stunning and our guide was right when he told us to keep our expectations high because they were exceeded!

Day 5 - Agra Fort

Cullen: The 24th was another long day of driving as we made our way from Agra southwest towards Jaipur. We started the day taking a tour of the Agra Fort, hearing all about the history of sieges and attacks all the way to its present use today. The intricate functions of architectural details throughout the fort added astonishment seeing as this structure was made so long ago.

Abhaneri Step Well and Chokhi Dhani

Awesome Guides

This trip was enhanced by amazing guides who helped us throughout our journey. A special thanks to our Authentica guides Sid and Sanhita, as well as our tour guides Vishaliji and Anoopji for making our trip so memorable.

Day 6 - Jantar Mantar and City Palace

Aoife: Our Christmas day started with an eventful trip into Jaipur City. We took some jeeps into the city and to the Jantar Mantar, which is home of the worlds largest sun dial. We had an incredible tour, where we learned how to read the different instruments and some of the basic astronomy behind the designs. We also got some insight into astrology, and the characteristics of zodiac signs, which has much more significance in Indian culture. After that, we took a brief trip to the gift shop, and picked up some popsicles at a nearby stand. We then headed to the City Palace to view weapons from different time periods in Indian history.

Jeep Ride to Amber Fort

Aoife: After that, we grabbed some lunch, and made the return to our jeeps, and headed up the mountain to the Amber Fort. Amber fort had a really incredible view of the city below, and incredible architecture. After our tour of the fort, we returned to the bus and finished our journey to Alwar. 

Days 7 Field Work in Alwar

Dawson: Today was our first field day in Alwar. My group used the solinist and began working north of the check dam. I enjoyed getting to explore the village by foot with the local guide searching for bore wells and interacting with the locals. My favorite part was walking through the mustard fields because they were above our heads and the view of the mountains from the center was serene. The locals were extremely welcoming and happy to help us navigate the village to find all of their wells. We then headed to an all-girls school. It was awesome to see how happy they were to give us a tour and explain the history/methodology behind their teaching.

Days 8 Field Work in Alwar

Naina: The plan for today was to visit the check dam in the village of Baiwala ki Dhani in Alwar. One team was to take infiltration measurements and the others were to continue testing water from various wells in this area. Something that helped get us through the day was a nice cup of hot chai from our local hosts.

Days 9 Field Work in Alwar

Tal: Our first stop on the 28th was another government school visit. Everyone working at the school was very friendly and hospitable, and gave us an educational tour of some of the classrooms and the digital library. We took water samples of the bore well water used for drinking and the rainwater from the tank the Seghal foundation installed.

Radio Station

Tal: Our next stop was the new location of the radio program of the Segal foundation, which they had recently moved to a less hilly area to facilitate a wider broadcasting range. The radio show hosts explained to us how the show responds to local concerns and activities in order to provide a positive influence on the community. I especially appreciated learning how the radio show encouraged more participation from the more silent local women by addressing issues that affect them and being supportive when they call in instead of their husbands. Our last stop was a uniquely large step well with a beautiful old building and a hindu temple.

Day 10 - Travel and Organize

We all traveled back to Gurugram and stopped at the Seghal Foundation to organize the data we had collected during field days.

Cyber City

Most of the group traveled by metro to Cyber City for dinner. The place was bustling with activity and filled with restaurants and shops to explore.

Day 11 - Qutub Minar and Mehrali Archaeological Park

Alex: Personally I found it to be a very relaxing day, we got to visit the Qutub Minar, the Mehrali archaeological park, and then later on the Dili Haat. The Qutub Minar was a cool site to see, not only where we initially stopped to visit, but also from a distance at the archeological park.

Dili Haat

Alex: Lastly, the Dili Haat, a huge marketplace where hundreds of vendors were selling things like clothes, jewelry, souvenirs, cutlery, blankets, and more. One such item that seemed to be popular with some of my fellow students along with myself were the wool-like pants, which I had termed parachute pants. There we also had dinner, there were many options within the market so everyone could get their fill of whatever they were craving. Finally we went back to the hotel, and I personally went straight to bed after a long, fun day.

Day 12 - Old Delhi

Elizabeth: We were finally ready to experience all of the chaos of Chandni Chowk in Central Delhi. we were met with hyper children begging for food, thousands of people shopping, and the sounds of bike horns reminding you to “watch your back.” It was crazy, but one thing I will take from this trip is to remember to go one step deeper. Within the market, we saw a microcosm of economic activities that are as old as its imposing neighbor, the Red Fort.

The Gandhi Smriti

Elizabeth: After a quick shop through tea stores and the spice market, we fast-forwarded 3 centuries, a couple of blocks past the Supreme Court of India and to Mahatma Ghandi’s final 144 days in 1948. The Gandhi Smriti was as surprisingly informative museum showcasing Ghandi’s humble beginnings and humble ways of being until his assasination. 

New Years Eve!

Elizabeth: To end our 2023, we had a little celebration in the dining hall of our hotel. The staff had put up balloons in Iowa’s (and definitely not Purdue’s) colors and covered the tables in fine fabric. Personally, a couple of us and I never got a prom because of 2020 and I think the similarities between this set up were very appreciated. 

Day 13 - Free Day

Today, everyone had the chance to explore Delhi as they chose. Many students went with Professor Bradley to see Lodhi Gardens, a market, and a Sikh temple. Some students went with Professor Merwade to see a Bollywood movie in the Ambience Mall.

Day 14 - Visit IIT Delhi

Franny: After enduring all the hype from each adult interaction on this trip, today we actually got to visit the acclaimed IIT Delhi. We started the day with a warm welcome from the Civil Engineering department head and other faculty, as well as several graduate students. Even though I’m not a civil engineering major myself, I told professor Bradley that this was one of my favorite excursions of the entire trip to date. As a bioengineering major and subscriber to the Gen Z sustainable future mindset, I enjoyed hearing about the research done in the civil IIT research labs concerning detection of harmful nanoparticles and biomagnification through trophic levels.

Day 15 - Presentations at SMSF

Today we get to present the work we've done to the Seghal Foundation. Everyone worked hard to synthesize their data and experiences to give presentations. We all appreciated the opportunity to work on these projects.