World youth experience country’s diverse culture in Chennai.

Deccan Chronicle:Chennai :Sujatha:Tuesday, February 14, 2012.

A student of Modern History, Ms Rina Onishi of Japan thought she knew a lot about India, but a two-day Chennai tour left her amazed. “The country has diverse culture. I have to study Indian history separately,” she told this newspaper after attending a technical session on RTI at Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development on Monday. In awe of Indians’ talent in mathematics and technology, she said that she was surprised to see students learning so many subjects including human skills in India. On the negative side, she noted that unlike in Japan the social hierarchy was still followed in India. “I feel Indians would be freer if they give up the caste system,” she added. “I was hoping for spicy vegetarian food. But the trip to India has been more complex. I see a huge disparity in the living conditions of people. T here are poor people and well-to-do institutions,” noted Economics student Mr Hosan Comert from Turkey, who was part of the international student community that travelled on board the ship Fuji Maru. At Bala Vihar, a home for mentally challenged, Mr Comert gifted $50 to take care of the food expenses of one child for a month. “I will try to organise a charity event for this institution on board the ship,” he said. Mr Masaaki Sato, administrator of the 24th Ship for World Youth Program and director of Cabinet Office, Japan said that he could see a lot of things common between youths in Japan and India. He said both countries were trying to deal with various problems including poverty and transgender issues. Noting that Indians vibe with positive energy, he said that like the Japanese Indians too reciprocated to kindness. On the Fukushima nuclear disaster, he said that the Japanese youth were passionately trying to promote their country especially after the disaster created a panic in the international community.