In 2004 I traveled to Arivand Eye Care in Madurai Tamil Nadu India to volunteer in their training center for three weeks. It was a transformative trip and the attached pictures capture my memories of the trip. There are 221 photos in this gallery.
Aurolab products and awards. Lab is ISO certified and manufactures world-class surgical supplies.
Mother and boy down street from Harmony. Boy asked to have picture taken. Very nice boy.
Typical early morning view of neighborhood street in Madurai. Photos 33 through 73 are representative of the Madurai I saw on my early morning walks.
Close look at same view as in previous picture. Cows may roam freely during the day, but in the early morning and evening they are milked and cared
Cows keep ecological balance by eating organic garbage all over Madurai. For goats and cows, the city is their pasture.
A typical roadside shrine
Wealthy neighborhood in Madurai. There are many doctors in this city of 1.2 million people. A typical neighborhood for doctors.
Housekeeper drawing Kolam (drawing on ground) in front of the home of her employer. Kolams - Continuous line drawn around a pattern of dots. Reminder that it is all about connecting the dots
Workers in Madurai. Typical of many of the workers in Madurai. Very friendly and proud people
Transporting sugar cane. This is a typical site. Sugar cane going by bike to any number of the small juice presses on roadsides
Woman carrying basket of bananas. Many products are transported by women laborers in this way.
Boy who asked to have his picture taken. Typical of early morning product transport.
Gas station close to Aravind. Most vehicles are motorcycles or motor scooters.
Sunrise over the river. Note that the river is dry. Madurai is in 5th year of drought. Very bad situation.
Communist influence is strong in South India. April was just before election and virtually every blank wall had political posters or painting.
Typical side street in Madurai, which is known as the largest village in India. 1.2 million people in a sprawling village setting. Note beautiful bullock
Many products are transported by bike.
These carts with rubber tires or wooden wheels are seen all over the area.
Sidewalk shop and meeting place. Typical of places for coffee, Chai, papers, and conversation early in morning before work.
Water is transported by hand all over the region. Women usually transport the water.
Water tank where water is refilled for families all over the region. Water is trucked into Madurai due to drought.
Sugar cane. Brought into central collection areas and then picked up and transported to presses across region.
Bike rickshaw, a common way to transport goods
Fruit and vegetable stand. Boy asked me to take picture of his family.
Boy on bike stopped for a picture
School children in bike rickshaw.
School children in bike rickshaw side view
Auto rickshaws are all over the area and what one would use to get to and from any location. Note the two people on the motorcycle. Families of 5 are common on a motorcycle.
News stand, ISD booth for calls, fruit stand, and coffee and Chai station. These small stands are all over the city and rural areas.
