The Derbyshire Churches in Partnership with The Church of North
India
The Allestree - Nagpur Link
Chris & Trisha visit CNI-SSI page 2
The village “Sarpanch” (political head of the village) Mrs.Kusumtai Nitnawre shared her experience saying that she never
dreamt of becoming the leader of the village but the SHG groups encouraged her to contest the election. Today she is an
encouragement for many women to take up the leadership at a village level. Chris and Trisha were served with traditional
food in the village. They had to put up with spicy chicken curry. Women who cooked the food as a group enjoyed serving the
foreign guests in their tiny houses.
25th October was Id-ul-fittar a Muslims festival in India. Chris and Trisha were taken to “Idgah” where Muslims have their
special prayers on Id. They were attracted by a group of young people who were collecting money (contributions) from the
worshippers with an objective to complete the burial rites of people who have no relatives to do this.
Trisha and Chris also had special Sheer Khurma Sewai (a type of sweet dish) and Chicken Biryani with Ms.Rahsida’s family
who is also a staff of CNI-SSI. A lot of family discussion took place on various cultural issues of Muslims in India.
Later part of 25th was spent again in the villages, which are 80 kms from Nagpur. The women and men welcomed Chris and
Trisha with drums and trumpets and washing their feet and garlanding in a traditional way. Once again few women told the
stories of their lives. One woman from Umri village shared her personal experience in gaining knowledge with regard to
constitutional rights and awareness on several other socio-political issues through women groups.
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Contact Chris Burns 01332 551508 or email cchrisandrich@AOL.com