Over the course of my three journeys to the Kumbh Mela, living and traveling among the ascetics of Juna Akhara, at the festival itself, in their ashrams and along various pilgrimage treks, I have made considerable effort to assimilate and thus relinquish my initial identity as a journalist, tourist, or foreigner. As I am a multimedia artist and educator in New York City, with a B.A. in Studio Art (Photography concentration) and Philosophy, my persona within Juna Akhara is not far from that of a guru as well. I am well respected among both those to whom I have given cameras, photographs, and DVDs, as well as their top leaders who have witnessed my doing so. Often I act as a bridge between these ascetics and the foreigners with whom they come into contact, and I hope to deepen this connection with the further implementation of this program, by giving voice and venue to those who have something to share and have yet to find the means to reach their audience. As a media-mentor to the female ascetics of Juna Akhara, I see myself as presenting to the world a group of strong and independent Indian and Nepali women, who have not yet been empowered to represent themselves. Your support is needed to make such an important endeavor possible.
to support the program:
please see our wishlist: http://www.relativelylocal.com/awc/?page_id=31
join our Facebook Causes page
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or contact me via: awc@relativelylocal.com
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